From the Press and Journal
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BOND INVESTS £4M IN TRAINING NEW PILOTS AND ENGINEERS
08:50 - 22 August 2007
Bond aviation group announced yesterday training programmes for new pilots and engineers.
Around £4million is being invested in a move to provide 12 pilots and 20 engineers for operating companies Bond Offshore Helicopters and Bond Air Services.
Aberdeen-based Bond Offshore Helicopters currently operates seven Super Puma AS332L Mk IIs in the oil and gas industry - five on crew-change flights and two specially modified for dedicated search-and-rescue services. Two Super Puma EC 225s will be added next year.
Bond Air Services has its headquarters at Staverton, Gloucestershire, and is the United Kingdom's largest onshore helicopter opera-tor.
It operates 24 aircraft - 15 EC 135T2 helicopters and nine Bolkow 105s - flying from 18 bases throughout the country, with a diverse range of operations, including support for police forces, ambulance services and lighthouses.
Bond executive chairman Peter Bond said: "Both companies are continuing to recruit experienced pilots and engineers.
"But we recognise that the shortage facing the industry requires a proactive approach in attracting new people and to help meet our longer-term requirements in expanding our activities.
"We have a history of investing in people and of providing security of employment and career development. These programmes will continue that commitment."
Twelve applicants are being sought to train as pilots, with the first stage in the US where they will spend 48 weeks gaining their flying licences, followed by 16 weeks with the Bond training division at Staverton for instrument rating.
Four engineering apprentices annually are being sponsored by Bond over five years, with the first group of students already in training.
The Bond companies have a staff of around 350.