Market Intelligence: Europe

Bell Textron Appoints Tangmere Aircraft Sales as Authorized Twin‑Engine Sales Partner for UK & Ireland

Global – Bell Textron, a subsidiary of Textron, has appointed Tangmere Aircraft Sales as its authorised sales representative for the UK and Ireland markets for select twin-engine helicopter models.

  • Bell has designated Tangmere Aircraft Sales to represent the Bell 429, SUBARU Bell 412EPX, and Bell 525 platforms across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

  • Robin Wendling (Managing Director, Europe, Bell) said: “Bell is looking forward to working closely with Tangmere Aircraft Sales to increase Bell’s twin‑engine offerings and continue to bring those advanced capabilities to customers in key markets.”

  • Will Fanshawe, Director at Tangmere Aircraft Sales, added: “We are very excited to be reintroducing Bell’s twin‑engine product line to owners and operators across the UK and Ireland. Bell helicopters combine exceptional performance, proven reliability and operational efficiency that align closely with the evolving needs of this market.”

  • Tangmere Aircraft Sales will provide authorised services including aircraft demonstration flights and market promotion of Bell’s rotary‑wing solutions in the UK and Ireland.

Source: Bell Textron

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Italian Flight School Professional Aviation Welcomes 8th Batch of Norwegian Cadets from Pilot Flight Academy

Italy – Professional Aviation, one of the largest flight training organisations in the country, has welcomed the eighth batch of Norwegian cadets from Pilot Flight Academy, comprising five students, marking another milestone in the ongoing cross-border training collaboration between the two European institutions.

Professional Aviation achieved 16,000 flight hours in 2024 and launched a new helicopter academy, expanding its training portfolio.

Curious to hear more about Professional Aviation – check out the interview with AFM here: Growing to Become One of the Largest Flight Schools in Italy – Professional Aviation Academy – AFM.aero

Source: Professional Aviation

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Airbus Helicopters Supports Fred North’s Global Mentorship Program for Young Pilots

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

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TUI and Boeing Extend Pilot Training Partnership to Include EBT and CBTA Programs

Europe – At the 2025 European Aviation Training Symposium (EATS), Boeing and TUI Group announced the extension of their long-standing partnership for pilot training services, further strengthening collaboration across TUI’s 737 and 787 operations.

  • The renewed agreement covers Boeing’s Evidence-Based Training (EBT) and Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) programs, which emphasize data-driven performance evaluation and real-world operational competencies.

  • Training will continue to support pilots operating TUI’s Boeing 737 Next Generation, 737 MAX, and 787 Dreamliner fleets, integrating both simulator and classroom instruction.

  • The extended partnership reflects TUI’s commitment to maintaining high standards of flight crew performance across its five airline subsidiaries: TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly Netherlands, TUI Airways UK, and TUI fly Nordic.

  • Boeing’s Training Solutions division will continue providing courseware, simulator access, and instructor support to align TUI’s recurrent and initial training programs with CBTA and EBT frameworks approved by European regulators.

Statements

  • “We value our enduring relationship with Boeing, built on expertise and a shared commitment to excellence in flight training. Together, we’ve supported many skilled pilots, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership for many years to come,” said Andreas Helzel, Head of Training, TUI Airline.
  • “This long-standing agreement with TUI will enable our continued collaboration, as we work together to make sure TUI receives the full value from these training programs. We are pleased to be able to support TUI as they prepare their crews with the skills and knowledge they need to help them succeed on each and every flight, and throughout their careers,” said Chris Broom, Vice President, Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services.

Source: Boeing

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Leading Edge Aviation Integrates Boeing’s Area 100 KSA CBTA Program into Pilot Curriculum

United Kingdom – headquartered flight training group Leading Edge Aviation, which operates flight training bases in the UK and Spain, has shared that is has contributed to Boeing’s new Competency-Based Training & Assessment (CBTA) suite. The initiative represents a major advancement in the integration of Area 100 Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) training into theoretical knowledge courses, aligning flight schools more closely with modern airline competency frameworks.

  • The CBTA suite, designed by Boeing over the past two years, provides a structured set of interactive lessons, media resources, and assessment tools to enhance the delivery of Area 100 KSA—a core EASA requirement emphasizing decision-making, communication, workload management, and leadership within pilot training.
  • Leading Edge Aviation contributed as a development partner, offering operational insights and feedback from students, instructors, and ATO leadership to support Boeing’s goal of bridging the gap between regulatory compliance and real-world airline operational needs.
  • The content has now been fully integrated into LEA’s theoretical knowledge syllabus, ensuring cadets gain exposure to CBTA principles from the earliest phase of training.

Statement

  • “The standout moment this year was joining Boeing as they unveiled their new Competency-Based Training & Assessment (CBTA) suite — a powerful set of lessons and media designed to enhance Area 100 KSA training during Theoretical Knowledge Training,” said Dave Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Leading Edge Aviation. “It was a privilege to join Nick Munns and share insights from our experience implementing the CBTA materials. This content is now fully embedded in our training delivery — exciting times ahead for aviation training!”

Source: Leading Edge Aviation

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Leading Edge Aviation Hosts First Pilot Selection Day for Aurigny–Norse Career Pathway

United Kingdom – headquartered flight training group Leading Edge Aviation, which operates flight training bases in the UK and Spain, has marked a significant milestone in its exclusive pilot career pathway partnership with Aurigny Air Services and Norse Atlantic Airways (UK), hosting the first joint pilot selection and assessment day at its Oxford training campus. The collaboration provides newly qualified pilots with a structured progression from regional turboprop operations to long-haul widebody flying.

  • The program offers Leading Edge graduates a defined route from the ATR 72-600 operated by Aurigny Air Services—Guernsey’s national carrier—to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with Norse Atlantic Airways (UK) at London Gatwick.
  • The first assessment day welcomed candidates shortlisted through LEA’s integrated ATPL program, jointly evaluated by recruitment teams from both partner airlines.
  • Additional assessment rounds are planned for early 2026, following strong interest from graduating cadets and continued recruitment across the Aurigny–Norse route network.

Statement

  • “This opportunity will fast track the careers of our pilots like no other opportunity” – Andy McFarlane, CEO

About Leading Edge Aviation
Leading Edge Aviation is a firmly established pilot training academy with a fresh approach and an emphasis on holistic training. Offering the highest standards of regulatory technical training, students also benefit from a comprehensive professional and personal development curriculum to enhance non-technical skills. This is delivered through ‘The Whole Pilot®’ Approach, which focuses on developing diverse abilities that go beyond just technical proficiency. Based at London Oxford Airport and Alhama, Southern Spain, and with a commitment to holistic pilot development, Leading Edge Aviation offers a range of modular and integrated training programmes, including the innovative LEAP (Leading Edge Airline Preparation) course—a full-time integrated course with BSc degree (UK only) and a comprehensive graduate airline selection preparation workshop. Facilities at both locations support a comprehensive educational experience, combining modern aircraft and simulators, advanced learning technologies, and a vibrant student living environment. Leading Edge also delivers modular training (including Ground School, MECPL, CBIR, MEIR, uMAP (university Modular Airline Preparation), A-UPRT (Advanced Upset Prevention Recovery Training), APC MCC (Airline Pilot Standards Multi Crew Co-operation) at its UK base in Oxford. 

Source: Leading Edge Aviation

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