EUROCOPTER has signed a contract with joint-venture company FBS to supply 38 single-turbine AS350 Squirrel helicopters for use by the Defence Helicopter Flying School in the UK.
The helicopters will be used to train Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force helicopter pilots. The school will have 76 military and 45 civilian pilot instructors, training about 230 student pilots a year from April 1997. The first helicopter is to be delivered in November, with the last delivery due in 12 months.
FBS, a joint venture of FR Aviation, Bristow Helicopters and Serco Defence, will run the school and will be responsible for all supplies and maintenance for the fleet.
FBS is also purchasing the Bell 412 to meet multi-engine training requirements.
Source: Flight International
