Eurocopter Chile and Cono Sur, subsidiary of the Eurocopter Group, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, announced contract signatures for the sale of 7 helicopters to several parapublic and private operators from Argentina and Chile during FIDAE Air and Space Show 2010. In addition, Eurocopter’s training centre for Southern Cone pilots and technical representatives was officially certified by the Aviation Authority of Chile (DGAC). This entity is the only Eurocopter-approved training centre in the Southern Cone of Latin America.

Henri Pesquidous, CEO of Eurocopter Chile and Cono Sur, declared at the occasion: “We are particularly proud of the confidence that prestigious operators in the region continue to place in our products to perform demanding missions on a daily basis. Also, receiving the official certification from the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil of Chile for our training centre demonstrates the DGAC’s trust in Eurocopter’s ability to meet the needs of its customers in terms of training.”

During the FIDAE Air and Space Show, Eurocopter Chile and Cono Sur signed contracts with several parapublic and private operators from Argentina: the Provincia de Córdoba for one EC135 for passenger transport and one AS350 B3 for rescue missions; the Provincia de la Rioja for one AS350 B3 for rescue and fire fighting missions; the Policía Federal de Argentina for 1 EC135 for law enforcement missions; the Provincia de Misiones for one EC130 B4 for rescue missions and passenger transport and a private customer for one EC120. An additional contract was signed with the Chilean company Ecocopter for an AS350 B3 to perform commercial operations.

The DGAC’s official certification of Eurocopter’s Chilean training centre was also announced during the show. This centre—the only Eurocopter-approved training centre in the Southern Cone of Latin America—delivers courses to civilian and military pilots as well as to technical representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. Courses offered to pilots include initial and recurrent training on the EC120, AS350 B3, AS355 NP and EC130 B4 as well as emergency procedure training. Technical representatives may receive initial and recurrent training on the above-mentioned machines and on the EC135, BK117 and BO105. In 2009, 26 pilots and 58 technical representatives were trained at the centre.

The Eurocopter Group has been present in the Southern Cone of Latin America for 9 years via its subsidiary Eurocopter Chile and Cono Sur and is currently the only helicopter manufacturer located in the region with industrial activities. The Group also has subsidiaries in both Mexico and Brazil, which handle the sale and customization of new and second hand helicopters, commercial support, spare parts distribution, maintenance and training courses for pilots and technicians all over the Latin American continent. A total of 1,135 Eurocopter helicopters fly in Latin America for civil, parapublic and military operations. The Eurocopter Group currently employs more than 500 people in Latin America.