The U.K.'s Severn Aviation reports brisk demand for its £1 million training centre for professional pilots. "It is already enjoying flourishing order books and excellent results for trainee pilots," says head of training Capt. Mark Dennis, "with one of them passing his IR qualification for helicopters just before the opening celebrations began."

The pilot, Geoff Porter, travelled from his home in the Falkland Islands to study for the qualification. He had already qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1993 but has focused on fixed-wing rather than rotary aircraft. "Now I want to go back to flying helicopters and this IR course has completed my portfolio of necessary qualifications," says Porter.

"This training environment is ideal from the pilots' point of view with a well equipped facility, highly experienced staff and a good location at Gloucestershire airport."

Capt. Dennis says: "Our aim is to provide the kind of facilities that will encourage professional pilots to reach the very peak of their capabilities and continue to maintain a 100 per cent pass rate."

The centre complements Severn Aviation's Gloucestershire-based charter and filming businesses launched early last year. Its facilities include a flight simulator, training and flight planning rooms and student lounge. There is also a hangar for the company's training and charter fleet. An Elite Evolution S723 FNPT II simulator enables pilots to train in an AS355 cockpit which is the same as they will use in the aircraft in which they will be tested. A second simulator is due to be added later this year.