AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the launch of an annual OGP (Oil&Gas Producers) Aviation Safety Advisors Training Programme. This new initiative will provide aviation safety advisors from the Oil & Gas industry with a high level technical overview of the AW139 helicopter, training and support infrastructure. The first event is planned for September 2011 in Northern Italy at the AgustaWestland Training Academy. Attendees will obtain knowledge of the AW139 airframe and avionics, including supporting systems & technologies such as Health Usage and Monitoring System (HUMS), Advanced Anomaly Detection (AAD) and Flight Data Monitoring (FDM). A major theme throughout the programme will be the approach to safety by performance to meet the regulatory and operational requirements for AW139 operators. The application of advanced training technologies and solutions, including simulators and synthetic training devices for pilots and maintenance technicians in support of Oil & Gas helicopter operations, will also be presented.

John Ponsonby, Senior Vice President Training Academy AgustaWestland said “These training programmes provide an exceptional learning opportunity for the attendees to understand the AW139 product, the services to the Oil & Gas Industry offered by AgustaWestland and what has be done so far to support the offshore business worldwide. The initiative complements the Oil & Gas dedicated seminars organised by AgustaWestland in a variety of locations in recent years and contributes to the AgustaWestland pursuit of assisting the OGP industry in providing enhanced safety and efficiency for offshore operations”. Participants will be introduced to the AgustaWestland Fleet Operating AOG Centre which will demonstrate the company’s customer support philosophy in supporting the worldwide Oil & Gas fleet. Moreover, the OGP Aviation Safety Advisors Training Programme represents a unique chance for AgustaWestland to receive valuable feedback from the delegates on their experience of supervising AW139 operations in particular, as well as any general aspects of interest regarding offshore operations.

The AW139 has set the new standard in the offshore market in the medium twin class thanks to outstanding performance, cabin space and payload, dedicated technology, high safety levels, ease of maintenance and competitive operating costs. More than 530 AW139 helicopters have been sold to over 140 customers in around 50 countries worldwide with over one third of all sales made in the Oil & Gas market. In order to enhance flight and operational capabilities as well as safety standards, advanced comprehensive and tailored training packages are available also including full flight Level D simulators while an expanding network of service centres ensures quick response to support the growing fleet globally. This programme will provide the OGP industry with a valuable insight into the success of the AW139 helicopter in OGP offshore operations.