AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its Operational Flying Training Centre (OFTC) located at Newquay Cornwall Airport, in South West England, was officially opened today. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence Programme, South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall Council, Newquay Council and Newquay Cornwall Airport.

The opening of the OFTC enhances AgustaWestland’s helicopter training capabilities and allows it to offer a complete range of training services to its customers, from basic helicopter pilot training through to advanced operational helicopter flying training. The OFTC will also deliver a range of training courses for rear crew including rescue winch, medical and mission training.

Graham Cole, Managing Director, AgustaWestland said at the opening “We are already seeing strong interest from military and public service helicopter operators around the world for the operational flying training services this new facility can deliver. The AgustaWestland Operational Flying Training Centre, here at Newquay Cornwall Airport, is not only bringing new highly skilled jobs to Cornwall but it will also benefit local businesses and become known around the world as a centre of training excellence.”

In support of its objectives to promote employment and economic growth the ERDF Convergence Programme has provided £303,000 of investment towards the establishment of the OFTC at Newquay Cornwall Airport. The South West of England Regional Development Agency and Cornwall Council have also supported the project.

The OFTC will initially employ approximately 30 highly skilled staff including 13 aircrew instructors, all of which have recent military operational flying experience, and 12 aircraft technicians. The OFTC will utilise modern twin engine AW109 Power and AW139 helicopters to provide training as well as customer’s aircraft for advanced and conversion to type training.

The facility at Newquay Cornwall airport includes a 30,000 ft² (2,800 m²) hangar, capable of accommodating six large helicopters, as well as briefing rooms, computer based training classrooms, operations room, engineering support  facilities, spares stores and administration offices. The OFTC will initially be capable of training up to 50 personnel whilst plans to expand this capability are already underway to meet potential future demand from AgustaWestland’s customers.

AgustaWestland provides the widest range of helicopter training services utilising the most advanced training aids at its training academies located in the UK and Italy and full flight simulator training through its Rotorsim joint venture facilities located in Italy and USA.

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