Era Training Center expands pilot training offerings on Gulf Coast
Era Training Center LLC (ETC) announced today plans to expand pilot training offerings on the Gulf Coast by placing one of two new AgustaWestland AW139 Level 6 Flight Simulator Training Devices (FSTDs) in the region. ETC considered placing the AW139 FSTD elsewhere, but believes the Gulf Coast region ultimately represents the best opportunity for training on the aircraft.
Era Helicopters LLC (Era) operates eight of its fleet of 23 AW139s in the Gulf, and has orders and options for more than 20 additional aircraft -- with more than a dozen additional AW139s operating or booked in the region. The specific location for the new AW139 FSTD will likely be within an existing Era facility in the Gulf.
Era currently has 15 bases along the Gulf Coast, with major locations in Lake Charles, Port Fourchon, and Houma, Louisiana and Galveston, Texas. Ed Washecka, President and CEO of Era Group said, "We look forward to continue to create jobs and bring visitors from around the world with our new investments in the Gulf region." ETC currently provides training to approximately 2,000 individuals annually, who contribute more than one million dollars in economic activity in the region. The AW139 should add significantly to that figure, as there are more than 2,000 pilots trained to fly the 300 AW139s operating worldwide, and there are more than 200 additional AW139s currently on order.
AgustaWestland, as prime contractor, partnered with Frasca International, Inc. (Frasca) to support the development and production of the FSTDs, with work carried out at Frasca's facilities in the US and at AgustaWestland's facilities in Sesto Calende, Italy. Frasca built the two FSTDs currently offered for training programs by ETC.
Source: Era Training Center
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