ECFT signs training deal with copter firm

Dubai: Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT) has signed a five-year contract with Gulf Helicopters Company (GHC), to be their exclusive training provider for the company's fleet of Bell helicopters.

The deal was closed on Tuesday during the Dubai Helishow.

Under the terms of the agreement, Gulf Helicopter Bell's 412 pilots will undergo specialised training to meet special mission and regulatory requirements of GHC.

Training will take place at Emirates-CAE Flight Training in Dubai. Training programme includes training on the CAE Bell 412 full-flight simulator, enhanced classroom-based training and crew resource management (CRM).

"After a thorough review and in order to increase safety, Gulf Helicopters Company has elected to shift the majority of our Bell training to the simulator-based ECFT programme," stated Fred Layton, general manager, Operations for GHC.

"The shift to this new programme will significantly increase the level of training for our aircrews, while reducing our internal training burden, and increasing fleet availability to meet our clients' needs."

"I am delighted that Gulf Helicopters has chosen Emirates-CAE Flight Training to conduct their pilot training," said Walter Visser, vice-president and Managing Director, ECFT.

"We look forward to delivering a best-in-class, fully customised training programme, to Gulf Helicopter pilots," he added.

ECFT has been certified by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) as a Type Rating Training Organisation (TRTO) for the Bell 212/412 type, and undergoes regular auditing by the QCAA and GHC to ensure that the highest training standards are maintained.