Airbus Helicopters has confirmed the compliance of the UTair Training Center with international standards. Certification for the Training Center enables it to be a part the Airbus Helicopters international network of training centers. Both companies signed an agreement at the HeliRussia 2015 show for the participation of UTair Group in the Airbus Helicopters network of certified service centers as well as MRO and parts distribution operating in Russia.

UTair Aviation CEO Andrey Martirosov noted that the agreement confirms UTair’s commitment to further developing its helicopter business. “Our year-long successful partnership with Airbus Helicopters in training highly professional pilots in aircraft operation strengthens UTair’s position as one of the global leaders both in Russia and worldwide. In the conditions of intense competition and more demanding requirements for helicopter operators from clients, the extension of the number and quality of services becomes an important competitive advantage for UTair,” he said.

“We are very happy with the development of our partnership with UTair,” said Emeric Lhomme, CEO Airbus Helicopters Vostok. “The UTair Group is not only the largest operator of our helicopters in Russia, but also is a service and training provider. The high quality of its services helps to improve safety standards on the Russian market and to develop the Airbus Helicopters fleet in the country.”

UTair Training Center in Tyumen was first certified by Airbus Helicopters in May 2011 and became a part of the international training facilities network of the manufacturer. The center performs training for pilots and for engineering and technical personnel.  The training is conducted by instructors who have undergone double flight training with Airbus Helicopters on AS350 В3e, AS355 N and AS355 NP helicopters in compliance with both Russian and European standards. Over the four years of cooperation with Airbus Helicopters, the center has trained 119 pilots and 117 engineers to more proficiently operate these types of rotorcraft.

UTair Group is the largest Russian client of Airbus Helicopters Vostok with a fleet of 28 helicopters from the manufacturer. The company successfully operates three BO-105, seventeen H125 (formerly known as AS350 B3e) and seven AS355 N/NP helicopters. UTair performs VIP-transportation, serves oil and gas companies, conducts surveillance works on pipelines and cargo transportation as well as other types of operations.

UTair Training Center is a non-commercial partnership for additional professional education for flight personnel. The Center performs training of flight crews, engineering and technical personnel and other personnel. The Center was established in 1967 and employs experienced instructors working in compliance with Russian Air Transport Agency programmes. The Center actively uses practical training and a flight guidance squadron among its educational methods.

Airbus Helicopters Vostok, until 2014known as Eurocopter Vostok, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters established in 2006 to ensure helicopter sales, fleet safety follow-up and customer support and services in Russia and the CIS. Airbus Helicopters civil rotorcraft models operating in Russia have been granted type certification by the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC). Over 180 rotorcraft produced by Airbus Helicopters operate in Russia, as well as over 70 in other CIS member states. Airbus Helicopters holds over 60% of the Russian market for foreign-made turbine helicopters. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations performed the first flight with an Airbus Bo-105 model helicopter in 1995. Today, in 2015, Airbus Helicopters is celebrating 20 years of presence on the Russian market.

Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) is a division of Airbus Group. The company provides the most efficient civil and military helicopter solutions to its customers who serve, protect, save lives and safely carry passengers in highly demanding environments. Flying more than 3 million flight hours per year, the company’s in-service fleet includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in 152 countries. Airbus Helicopters employs more than 23,000 people worldwide and in 2014 generated revenues of 6.5 billion Euros. In line with the company’s new identity, fully integrated into Airbus Group, Airbus Helicopters has renamed its product range replacing the former “EC” designation with an “H”.