The UK’s Qinetiq-run Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS) has placed a roughly £15 million ($18.4 million) order for four H125s with Airbus Helicopters.
The single-engined rotorcraft will support the school’s instruction of military test pilots and flight test engineers from early 2019.
Airbus Helicopters UK will be responsible for adapting the H125s to meet the unique requirements of Boscombe Down, Wiltshire-based ETPS. This will include upgrading its Garmin G500 cockpit with a three-axis autopilot and adding flight test instrumentation.
Airbus Helicopters
Also included in the deal is a 10-year package of availability-based support services, to be provided through Airbus Helicopters’ HCare system.
The acquisition follows a recent order for two Pilatus PC-21s, contained within a wider £85 million modernisation of the ETPS fleet. Qinetiq also intends to purchase a pair of basic trainers to replace two Short Tucanos in current use.
In a separate development, Qinetiq on 28 February announced its receipt of approved training organisation status from the European Aviation Safety Agency.
“The accreditation means ETPS is one of three schools in the world able to provide test pilots with course completion certificates needed to obtain civil flight test ratings,” it says.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
