OREANDA-NEWS. October 24, 2011. The UTair Aviation’s Training Center, under license from Eurocopter to train pilots and engineers in the operation of Eurocopter helicopters, has completed the first wave of training of three groups of pilots for operations with AS350 and AS355 helicopters. Eurocopter is the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer and the AS350 and AS355 are the most popular light helicopters.

UTair’s Training Center compliance with Eurocopter training standards was confirmed in May 2011. The Training Center is the first in Russia to be approved by Eurocopter, demonstrating the high professional training capacity of UTair personnel. The UTair Training Center is the first certified center outside the Eurocopter Group and the only one in which Eurocopter does not participate as a shareholder.

In September 2011, the UTair Training Centre plans to train two groups of engineering - technical personnel. In addition to UTair specialists, staff of other airlines will be included in these groups.

UTair Aviation has the world’s largest helicopter fleet, with more than 330 helicopters of all classes in operation. UTair has been successfully exploiting Eurocopter rotorcraft since 2006. In 2010 UTair subsidiary UTair-Engineering received certification confirming its status as an official maintenance center for Eurocopter helicopters for levels О and I, becoming the first such service center in Russia capable of servicing a range of Eurocopter models, including the AS 350, AS 355N and BO 105. In 2011 UTair and Eurocopter concluded an agreement for the delivery of 15 EC175 helicopters designed to UTair specifications. Also this year Eurocopter began deliveries on a 2010 contract for 20 light Ecureuil helicopters.