10 Flight Academies from across Europe have founded a European network of independent helicopter academies. It was announced yesterday. The Leading Helicopter Academies of Europe (LHA) is committed to raising standards, by combining their strengths and industry knowledge. Providing better services, training and support for governments, organizations and other helicopter companies. Offering superior instruction to both aspiring and experienced pilots. Not just developing piloting skills, but also tailoring talents to the professional needs and requirements of the helicopter market.
The Training Centres that form the LHA are; European Helicopter Center (Norway), Heli Austria Flight Academy, Helibravo (Portugal), HeliCentre (Netherlands), Heli-flight (Germany), Helicopter Groundschool (Belgium), LION Helicopters (Czech Republic), Mountainflyers (Switzerland), Pole-Air (France) and Superior Air (Greece).
The alliance has a combined fleet of 150 helicopters, with 80 instructors at 22 bases across Europe cumulatively they offer over 16,000 hours of training annually. Critically the LHA says this allows students and qualified pilots to train a variety of terrain and weather conditions, for all kinds of roles and missions. From ab-initio to specialised operations, customised to specific requirements. The network supports the full spectrum of specialisms. Professional qualifications, across a wide range of skills, ratings and missions.
“As leading players we now share our knowledge and experience across academies and national borders. Recognising each other as suppliers of quality, working together we can now across the board offer training for all aspects of helicopter flight. It is first and foremost our students and customers who benefit from this, thanks to our joint experience, exchange and safety practices”, said Anette K. Haldorsen, LHA spokesperson and CEO of European Helicopter Centre in Norway.
