After a long-standing collaboration, two of Europe's largest helicopter pilot academies have decided to merge.

European Helicopter Center in Norway has trained more than 800 pilots over the last 30 years. With its strong brand and outstanding safety record, EHC is the preferred training partner for many significant commercial players in Europe.

HeliCentre in the Netherlands features 15 years of experience, a large training division, and strong connections in both the civilian and military markets alongside a significant operational and commercial department.

"By pooling the strengths of the two companies, we can now present a larger combined helicopter fleet, even more specialised instructors and a robust organisation to provide our students and customers with the assurance that their training partner will remain relevant, professionally updated and, of course, a sustainable and safe choice," says Anette Kruhaug Haldorsen, CEO of European Helicopter Center.

The new academy will operate under the name European Heli Center with two separate divisions, one at Torp in Norway and one at Lelystad in the Netherlands. The majority of ownership will be based in the Netherlands. Both departments will retain their separate ATO licences, as well as the AOC licence in the Netherlands.

European Heli Center offers more than 45 years of training experience between the two divisions and will provide more than 8,000 hours of training every year. Its combined fleet of 21 helicopters and two simulators comprises:

- 4 x Guimbal Cabri G2

- 8 x Robinson R44 (I/II)

- 1 x Robinson R66 Turbine

- 3 x Airbus H120/EC120

- 1 x Airbus AS350B3

- 1 x Airbus H130T2

- 2 x Airbus H135P3H/T3H

- 1 x EC135T2+

- FTD Level 3 EC135 and FNPT II AS355F.