Eurocopter and Turbomeca inaugurate a training center specializing in engine maintenance in México

Eurocopter de México (EMSA) and Turbomeca México (Safran Group) have signed a cooperation agreement for the training of helicopter maintenance technicians and recently opened their first joint training center in Mexico, which is also the first of its kind on the American continent to offer Spanish-speaking instructors.

This new center, inaugurated today by Eurocopter's Executive Vice President Global Business and Services, Dominique Maudet, and Vice President Customer Support and Sales for Turbomeca, Serge Maillé, will complement the training activities by EMSA, which has already provided training for more than 150 technicians and 100 helicopter pilots since 2010. From now on, operators in the region will benefit from complete helicopter training in Spanish and in one location, focusing on four basic areas: mechanics, avionics, piloting and engine maintenance.

"The flight safety of our aircraft is a key priority that Eurocopter shares with Turbomeca, one of our longest-standing business partners," said Dominique Maudet. "Training is an essential pillar of our strategy to improve flight safety and optimize the availability of the helicopters operated by our customers all over the world."


Serge Maillé commented that "these new facilities will enable Eurocopter de México S.A. and Turbomeca México to better serve our Spanish-speaking customers. This cooperation will also be useful for technicians working for customers of both these companies in Latin America."

The inauguration ceremony for this new center located on the EMSA site at Mexico City International Airport was also attended by Sergio Romero Orozco, Director General of the Mexican Department of Civil Aviation (DGAC) and Serge Durand, CEO of EMSA.

The new joint training center has 3 theoretical and practical classrooms offering courses to familiarize trainees with the parts and tools necessary for maintenance of Turbomeca's Arriel and Makila models, the engines used in Eurocopter's AS350, EC130, EC145, EC225 and EC725 helicopters and the Dauphin family of helicopters.

Eurocopter has more than 20 training centers all over the world for both civil and military pilots, technicians and aerospace experts.

About Turbomeca México
As part of its global growth strategy, Turbomeca (Safran Group) recently opened its new subsidiary Turbomeca México (TMEX) in Mexico City to support operators of Turbomeca engines in Mexico, Central America and northern South America (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela). This branch also handles sales of all Turbomeca products and services in the region.

About Turbomeca
Turbomeca (Safran Group) is the leading helicopter engine manufacturer and has produced over 69,000 turbines based on its own designs since the company was founded. It offers the world's largest range of engines to 2,350 customers in 155 countries, providing a proximity service through its network of 17 sites, 26 Maintenance Centers, 24 Repair & Overhaul Centers and 90 field representatives and field technicians. Turbomecca has also organized a network of more than 40 Turbomeca-certified instructors in 14 training centers around the world, where the company's objective is to operate in the local language whenever possible.

About Eurocopter de México
Eurocopter has been present in Mexico for 30 years through its Mexican subsidiary, Eurocopter de México (EMSA). Based at Mexico City International Airport and staffed by 200 employees, EMSA is responsible for technical support and sales of helicopters in the region comprising Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. EMSA has its own spare parts logistics platform (MEXLOG) and offers a range of services that includes maintenance services, helicopter hangars, aircraft design, assembly, painting and customization and ab-initio training for technicians and pilots through its Heliescuela training academy in Veracruz. EMSA is building an industrial facility to manufacture aircraft parts and subassemblies in Querétaro, with completion scheduled for 2013.