European flight academies announce merger
Norway’s European Helicopter Center and the Netherlands’ HeliCentre have announced plans to combine their operations
The new, combined business will operate under the name European Heli Center, and will have a combined fleet of 21 rotorcraft and two flight simulators.
This includes:
- Eight Robinson R44s and one R66
- Three Airbus H120s, three H135s, one H130, and one AS350
- Four Guimbal Cabri G2s
- An EC135/H135 Level 3 flight training simulator (FTD)
- An AS355 flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT) II.
Two distinct divisions
Following the merger, the two companies will become distinct divisions that will continue to operate in their respective countries. Likewise, both divisions will maintain separate Approved Training Organisation (ATO) status and air operator certificates (AOCs), and both will continue to serve the commercial and private markets.
The majority of ownership in European Heli Center will be based in the Netherlands.
“By pooling the strengths of the two companies, we can now present a larger combined helicopter fleet, even more specialized instructors, and a robust organization to provide our students and customers with the assurance that their training partner will remain relevant, professionally updated, and of course, a sustainable and safe choice,” said Anette Kruhaug Haldorsen, CEO of European Helicopter Center in Norway.
Rob Coppinger explored the evolving world of flight training in AirMed&Rescue’s May 2024 issue.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.