Sikorsky Aerospace Services, Aviation Training Consulting to launch full-service flight and maintenance training academy

SHELTON, Conn., 30 Oct. 2012. Officials at Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS), the worldwide aftermarket business of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Aviation Training Consulting (ATC) to establish an advanced flight and maintenance training academy, the Sikorsky Training Academy (STA), in Altus, Okla.

"Many of our customers, particularly U.S. Government agencies and foreign militaries, have difficulty obtaining thorough standardized training for their flight crews and maintenance teams. In particular, there is a lack of advanced mission training beyond basic conversion courses and currency training. Many customers rely on training companies that are neither U.S. military nor Sikorsky qualified," says David Adler, president of Sikorsky Aerospace Services. "Establishing this center is a significant step in enabling us to deliver a comprehensive, tailored OEM training curriculum of the highest standards, capable of preparing our students for a wide variety of missions."

The academy, projected to launch in 2013, will initially focus on meeting the needs of foreign militaries using the Black Hawk helicopter as the training platform. The Altus, Okla., facility near Fort Sill provides access to several hundred square miles of operating space, certified landing areas, and certified night-vision routes.

SAS is proposing to team in the development of the STA with Aviation Training Consulting, an Altus-based firm that designs and provides advanced training solutions. Sikorsky is in final discussions with ATC, which has existing relationships with Sikorsky's customers.

"The creation of the STA is a natural progression of our relationship with Sikorsky and will not only benefit Sikorsky and ATC, it would make Altus a key global destination of choice for advanced military aircraft training," explains Robert Cox, CEO of ATC. "Oklahoma is proud of its rich aerospace and defense industry, which represents approximately 10 percent of its economy. We look forward to the development of the training academy and our association with Sikorsky, an internationally respected company."

SAS provides support to rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and offers military and commercial operators a portfolio of support services, including material distribution, maintenance, overhaul & repair, aircraft modifications, and life-cycle support.