27 July 2026
Airbus Helicopters has opened a new UK Training Academy at Farnborough, bringing pilot, engineering and leadership training together under one roof in a move designed to tackle the growing shortage of rotary-wing specialists.
The company expects more than 400 pilots, engineers and aerospace leaders to pass through the academy each year. The 12,000sqm facility will deliver engineering type training, pilot type ratings and executive leadership courses, while also offering levy-funded engineering apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 6.
Richard Atack, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK, said the academy was created to help address the shortage of technical helicopter specialists, a situation made more challenging by the lack of mutual recognition between UK CAA and EASA qualifications. He said the investment would strengthen the UK’s position as a centre of excellence for rotary-wing pilot and engineering training.
The academy will support organisations including the Ministry of Defence’s Military Flying Training System, the National Police Air Service and around two-thirds of the UK’s helicopter emergency medical service providers.
Airbus says it is also the only UK organisation approved to deliver a Part 147 Airbus Helicopters B2 type course under both UK CAA and EASA regulations.
