Finnish ATO Coptersafety has announced the appointment of Manuel Guillen as an AW139 type lead instructor. He was selected from within the organisation, having been a full-time instructor at Coptersafety for many years, and will will take up his new position on 1 September.

“Manolo has years of operational experience behind him and is known by our customers for his bright personality,” says Bob van den Boogaardt, Coptersafety's chief flight instructor. “He has a comprehensive background of being a military, HEMS and SAR pilot and as a full-time instructor he has really demonstrated his skills. I am confident his solid background will help in growing our operation.”

Guillen succeeds Ivar Koster, who has worked in the role of Coptersafety's AW139 type lead instructor since June 2016.

“I am excited to be a part of Coptersafety's team,” he states. “I've enjoyed the job every single day during my time as an instructor. Contributing my small grain of experience to make pilots' lives easier and safer and give customers the best training through Coptersafety has been my challenge and dedication in the past years. It couldn't have been possible without the great atmosphere we enjoy at our facilities. I'm glad to join this new position, and surely I will put all my effort into filling the big gap Ivar has left.”

Head of training Mikko Kallio concludes: “I would like to thank Ivar for his important contribution in the development of Coptersafety. He's been with us for many years, and we wish him all the best in his future ventures. We hope to still see him from time to time as he's decided to keep a freelance instructor position. Although he has big shoes to fill, I believe that Manolo will be excellent in his new position.”