Specialist Aviation Services has launched a third-party training company in an effort to expand upon its police and air ambulance customer base.
The Cheltenham, UK-based police and ambulance helicopter operator launched Specialist Aviation Training (SAT) at last month's Helitech show in Duxford, UK, and is talking to various bodies about special role training.
The MD Helicopters subsidiary provides training through full aircraft, maintenance and piloting contracts with several UK police forces and air ambulance providers. It operates 18 helicopters and nine fixed-wing aircraft from 15 locations in the UK and two in the British Virgin Isles.
Rick Newson, commercial training manager, who is heading up the new division, says it will offer training to pilots and personnel outside its current customer base. "SAT will provide support for the police and medical fraternity including individuals wanting to upgrade their instrument rating and operators both on- and off-shore," he says.
Managing director Jeremy Awenat says SAT is hoping to attract "a wider range of customers" by offering training in a variety of operations, including oil rig and road accidents, with its recently acquired Frasca Eurocopter AS355 Squirrel simulator.
Source: Flight International
