Training helicopter for MFG 5

Signing of the contract between HTM Helicopter Travel Munich GmbH and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw).

The Munich-based company has announced that the contract covers the provision, maintenance and support of EC135 helicopters for Naval Air Wing 5 in Nordholz. The Bundeswehr will use HTM's helicopters for pilot training, ranging from basic training to complex missions such as external load, Helicopter Hoist Operation (HHO), IFR training (flights according to instrument flight rules) or night flight operations. HTM has already set up its new base at the Sea-Airport in Nordholz. This enables young naval pilots to gain flying experience in a maritime environment with around 800 flying hours per year before continuing their training on the respective weapon system.

EC 135 from DL Helicopter with the emblem of MFG 5 (photo DL Heli)

The idea of carrying out training on low-cost civilian helicopters in order to make better use of the flight hours of the much more complex military aircraft is not new. A civilian EC 135 has been used for pilot training in Nordholz since 2015. Maintenance was carried out by DL Helicopter GmbH from Nordholz, which was no longer included in the current tender.