The first class of graduates from Bond’s new Aberdeen-based training programme for helicopter engineers has graduated with flying colours.

Bond, a Babcock International Group company,  established its first CAA approved training scheme for licensed helicopter engineers in December and the first class of five students has now graduated. Each is now qualified to sign off engineering work on the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter.

Technical Training Instructor Bob Findlay said: “Bond’s new training and examination capability really underlines our commitment to the future. We can offer specialist training courses to helicopter engineers, giving them the skills and qualifications to carry out and sign-off technical work on the S-92 aircraft. We are already planning to expand our capabilities and expect to be able to offer courses on other aircraft later this year after the summer.”

The intense seven-week course sees students split their time between the classroom and actually working on aircraft in the Aberdeen facility under the supervision of highly-qualified trainers.

Mark Thain, who received his certificate from Managing Director, Michelle Handforth, said: “It is fantastic that Bond is able to offer this course to staff. Having this extra qualification gives me the chance to really progress my career with Bond. It’s a great investment in me and in our industry and will really help us provide the safe, mission-critical services our customers demand.”

Although the first graduates are all Bond staff, the training scheme is open to outside applicants too.

“It’s a qualification that is recognised globally across the industry,” added Bob Findlay. “We are now in a position to advance our own staff’s skills and capabilities in-house, under the close scrutiny of the CAA, but we can also provide the same course to outside applicants too. Highly-qualified engineers are absolutely critical to the continued success and safe operations of our industry and it’s great that we can play a new role in creating its future.”

From left – Bond Managing Director, Michelle Handforth, with the first class of newly-qualified S-92 specialist engineers Mark Thain, Andy Thorne, Mick Rennie, Andy Black and Florent Saemundsson