Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced the Bell Helicopter Training Academy (BTA) received Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approval to conduct Bell 412EP/Bell 412EPI B1.3 and B2 Part 147 technical training at the Bell Helicopter Singapore Service Center.

The Australian CASA approval expands the BTA’s ability to provide regulated maintenance courses in the Asia Pacific region. The BTA offers numerous Bell 412 maintenance training courses including B1.3 Field Maintenance (EASA), EPI Transition, Vibration Monitoring, Electrical, Avionics and EPI Avionics Differences. The training is a combination of theory and practical training completed on a newly installed aircraft maintenance trainer which arrived in Singapore earlier this month.

“Ensuring our customers have the right training available to them in-region is a critical part of the BTA’s long-term training strategy,” said Charles Fisher, director, Bell Helicopter Training Academy. “Our methodology is unique in the region as we offer both classroom and practical training, which allows students to receive hands-on training under the guidance of a certified BTA technical instructor.”

The Bell 412 maintenance training is complimented by similar type-rated training for the Bell 206. Like the Bell 412 training curriculum, the Bell 206 training is a combination of classroom and hands-on training with a Bell 206 maintenance trainer which arrived in Singapore in January. The first EASA authorized Bell 206 course was completed in February. Additional offerings for a variety of Bell helicopters also are available.

Established in 1946, the BTA offers world-class training solutions to enhance its customers’ ability to safely and efficiently perform their missions. The BTA training staff works closely with Bell Helicopter’s Product Support Engineering team to ensure they are training to the most recent technical specifications. The academy has trained more than 130,000 customers worldwide.