Global – Airbus Helicopters has partnered with veteran stunt pilot Fred North to sponsor the Helicopter Safety Mentorship Program, a global initiative designed to connect young aviators with experienced mentors to enhance safety and professional development across the rotorcraft industry.

• The programme, founded by Fred North — one of the world’s most recognised helicopter pilots in film and television — links early-career pilots with seasoned peers to provide guidance on operational decision-making, safety practices, and career progression.

• More than 350 pilots worldwide are currently enrolled, with a further 40 on the waiting list, representing participants from North America, Europe, South Asia, and Latin America.

• The mentorship structure allows flexible engagement between mentors and mentees, typically involving short, periodic exchanges to discuss topics such as mission planning, stress management, and operational risk.

• Airbus Helicopters views the initiative as part of its holistic aviation safety strategy, focusing not only on technical innovation but also on pilot mindset, training quality, and human factors.

• The company’s Head of Aviation Safety and Quality, Florence Verlut, highlighted that Airbus’ support for the programme aligns with its Zero Accidents roadmap by encouraging knowledge transfer between generations of pilots.

• Airbus test pilot Olivier Gensse is among the mentors participating in the programme, contributing decades of operational experience to the next generation of rotorcraft professionals.

Statements

• “We’ve done so much mechanically in the past 40 years that today helicopters are really reliable, if you do the maintenance correctly. Now, the weak part is us, as pilots, as human beings,” said Fred North, founder of the Helicopter Safety Mentorship Program. “I would love every young pilot doing his commercial license to be part of the programme. It can help create a safer environment because they can ask questions now and not make that mistake eight years later.”
• “Airbus’ strategy is holistic — to not only look at the product, but to look at everything that can enhance safety. Fred’s mentors can reach all types of pilots, and his willingness to think about the future by upskilling the new generation aligns with Airbus’ safety roadmap,” said Florence Verlut, Head of Aviation Safety and Quality at Airbus Helicopters.

Source: Airbus