On the final day of FIA 2026, Airbus Helicopters has announced the launch of a dedicated training academy in the UK aimed at delivering a ‘one stop shop’ for rotary wing training with more than 400 pilots, engineering technicians and aerospace leaders expected to go through the academy annually.
The announcement comes against a background of an industry under threat by a skills shortage which is rapidly closing in on critical. In answer to that challenge, Airbus Helicopters UK have created a 12,00o square metre training academy at it’s Oxford headquarters which will bring all of company’s engineering type-training, pilot training, and executive leadership management modules under one roof.
In the engineering space Airbus has long had it’s own in house training schemes but these have been exclusively for the company’s employees the big change here is that same level of training will now be offered to external customers with the academy aligned with the UK Government’s domestic Skills Agenda, and offers, Level 3, 4, 5 and 6 Apprenticeship pathways in Engineering and support functions. Additionally, the Academy is the only organisation in the UK to deliver a Part 147-approved Airbus Helicopters B2 type course, drawing civil and military students from both domestic markets and international fleets.
“We are seeing a shortage of technical rotary wing specialists in the UK, further impacted by the added workload to industry and the lack of mutual recognition between CAA and EASA. The launch of this training academy is part of a long-term vision to ensure critical services to support the UK’s rotary wing fleet and will help improve the UK’s competitiveness and strengthen the UK’s role as a centre of excellence for rotary wing pilot, engineering and early careers training,” said Richard Atack, Managing Director Airbus Helicopters in the UK.
Image: Airbus/Richard Cave
