FORT WORTH, TX (April 11, 2014) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT) company, announced it has trained 130,000 students through its Bell Helicopter Training Academy (BTA). The milestone student, Mr. Fredrick “Chon” Taylor, who works for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is an experienced pilot with more than 3,500 hours in Bell helicopters.

Like many of Bell Helicopter’s customers, Mr. Taylor visits the BTA for autorotation practice, as it is one of the few training schools to offer full autorotation training for its students.

“The autorotation training offered by the BTA is unique to the industry,” said Mr. Taylor. “No one else offers it. In addition, the trainers work with me to tailor the training sessions in the aircraft to meet my specific mission needs and to focus on aspects of my flight training that I want to improve.”

Established more than 60 years ago, the BTA conducts pilot and technician training for both in-production and some out-of-production aircraft models. As an extension of the aircraft OEM, the BTA has access to current flight and technical information and manuals from the manufacturer to ensure customers receive the most up-to-date information available.

“As a helicopter pilot, you are provided a unique level of mission accomplishment,” continued Mr. Taylor who currently flies a Bell 407 but also has experience in the Bell 412, UH-1, OH-58 A-C and OH-58D models. “Bell Helicopter’s reliability and aircraft readiness rate are the best in the industry. That’s important considering the work we do.”

As an FAA Part 141 approved flight school, the BTA offers a complete line of helicopter training options for pilots who hold a current FAA Helicopter Certificate with appropriate ratings. International customers are awarded the equivalent licenses issued by a foreign military or regulatory agency.