Eurocopter bags contract for two choppers

Bangalore: Eurocopter and Apoorva Aviation today signed a contract for the acquisition of two EC120 new generation training helicopters. Apoorva intends to start basic and advanced training for Indian helicopter pilots in the second half of 2007, in order to cope with the fast growing demand for skilled pilots for the growing fleet of choppers in the country.

"Apoorva's new training facility, will deploy the best value-for-money training helicopter you can get on the market, so that our potential Indian customers can get their flight crews trained to the highest standards. Future helicopter pilots in India are guaranteed the best possible aircraft for mission training in the EC120," sales manager for India, Ludovic Boistot said.

Eurocopter EC120 B is made by a partnership between the Eurocopter Group, ST Aerospace and Catic in China. It is a light and extremely versatile single-engine helicopter, suitable for basic and advanced pilot training. It is equipped with the most advanced technologies and crashsafe systems, and instructors can perform training missions in optimal safety conditions. It is already in use in Spain, Indonesia and Singapore.

The Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS. It is the world's No 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, and a 52 per cent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. It accounts for 30 per cent of the total world helicopter fleet. More than 9,800 Eurocopter choppers are in service, with over 2,500 customers in 140 countries.