Airbus Helicopters has integrated the civil-certified Airbus H160 into the flight test training fleet at the École du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception (EPNER) in Istres, France, modernizing the French Defence Procurement Agency’s training capabilities ahead of the military H160M Guépard’s introduction.

Announced by Airbus on October 5, 2026, the delivery transforms the medium twin-engine helicopter into a dedicated flying classroom. The platform replaces legacy aircraft that have served the school since the 1980s, providing test pilots and flight test engineers with a modern avionics suite to prepare for the next generation of French military rotorcraft.

Modernizing flight test training

EPNER, operating under the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), trains test pilots, flight test engineers, mechanics, and air traffic controllers. The curriculum is rigorous, requiring trainees to complete 400 hours of theoretical instruction and over 100 hours of flight testing. To meet these demands, Airbus Helicopters and the DGA collaborated to install a dedicated flight test system on the Airbus H160, enabling real-time data monitoring and system evaluation during training flights.

Patrice, Deputy Director of EPNER, noted the technological leap the new aircraft provides for the institution’s curriculum.

“The H160 is gradually integrated into the programme for new trainees. As it’s brand new, it benefits from an array of new technologies. This enables the school to remain at the forefront of training, using all of the helicopter’s new faculties to test performance, flight qualities and onboard systems,” Patrice said.

The upgrade in cockpit technology is a primary driver for the acquisition. Thomas, a Flight Test Maintenance Technician at EPNER, highlighted the specific benefits of the modernized flight deck. “There is a real evolution in avionics with the H160, which opens an enlarged panel of training capabilities to EPNER,” he stated.

Transitioning from legacy platforms

The introduction of the Airbus H160 marks a generational shift for the Istres-based school. According to reporting by The Defence Blog, the Airbus H160 replaces the Dauphin SA 365 N, a legacy platform that EPNER has utilized since the mid-1980s. The transition to a modern architecture is critical for teaching contemporary certification standards and flight test methodologies.

Gwénaël, a Helicopter Experimental Test Pilot at the DGA, emphasized the core mission of the school’s graduates and the necessity of training on current-generation equipment.

“A flight test pilot is firstly a pilot. The main difference is that they fly on modified aircraft or brand new aircraft to certify conformity to regulatory or contractual requirements,” Gwénaël explained.

Paving the way for the H160M Guépard

The civil Airbus H160’s arrival at EPNER serves as a direct preparatory step for the French Armed Forces’ Joint Light Helicopter (HIL) programme. In December 2021, France officially ordered the militarized variant, designated the Airbus H160M Guépard. The French Ministry of Armed Forces plans to acquire 169 of the helicopters to replace five different legacy types currently operating across the French Army, Navy, and Air and Space Force.

Airbus launched the flight test campaign for the Airbus H160M Guépard on July 24, 2025. By training on the civil Airbus H160 now, DGA and military test crews will be fully qualified on the platform’s baseline systems before the Guépard enters service. The military variant is expected to begin replacing older helicopters in 2027 and 2028, following the conclusion of its dedicated certification campaign.

Advertisement

The Airbus H160 platform has also been expanding its footprint in French public service. In December 2025, Airbus delivered the first Airbus H160 configured for the French Gendarmerie Nationale, further standardizing the domestic fleet around the new medium twin-engine design.

AirPro News analysis

We view the integration of the civil Airbus H160 into EPNER’s fleet as a pragmatic risk-reduction strategy for the broader HIL programme. By familiarizing test crews and maintenance personnel with the Airbus H160’s baseline architecture years before the Airbus H160M Guépard reaches operational units, the DGA minimizes the training burden typically associated with fielding a new aircraft type. The concurrent deployment of the Airbus H160 to the Gendarmerie Nationale and EPNER demonstrates a concerted effort by the French government to consolidate its domestic rotorcraft operations around a single, modern Airbus platform, which will likely yield long-term maintenance and training efficiencies across multiple state agencies.

Leonardo officially opened a new 6,000-square-metre building dedicated to the development and manufacture of Helicopters flight simulators in Sesto Calende, Italy, on October 5, 2026. The facility expansion consolidates the site as a central development and production hub for simulation systems across the company’s rotary-wing business.

In a press release issued to mark the opening, Leonardo highlighted the financial weight of its Customer Support, Services & Training segment. Between 2023 and 2025, this division accounted for an average of 42 percent of total revenues for Leonardo Helicopters, underscoring the strategic importance of aftermarket and synthetic training solutions.

Expanding simulation capabilities

The newly inaugurated building provides the physical space required to design, assemble, and test complex synthetic training devices. According to Leonardo, the facility can accommodate up to five full-flight simulators at a single time. The first simulators manufactured in the new building are slated for delivery to helicopter operators based in Italy and Asia-Pacific, supporting both domestic and international training requirements.

Simulator design and manufacturing represent established core competencies at the Sesto Calende site. Leonardo has previously developed specialized training systems for military operators, tailoring simulators to specific mission profiles. These include the A129 Mangusta simulator for Italian Army Aviation in Viterbo, the HH139 simulator for the Italian Air Force in Cervia, and the NH90 simulator located at the Italian Navy’s Maristaeli Luni simulation centre. The expanded footprint allows the manufacturer to increase its independent development capabilities while continuing to support established partnerships across the defense and civil sectors.

Sesto Calende’s century of aviation history

The Sesto Calende site serves as the main headquarters for customer support within the Leonardo Helicopter Division. The location possesses an aviation heritage dating back to 1915, anchoring the company’s long-term industrial presence in the region. In 2006, Leonardo opened the “A. Marchetti” Training Academy at the site, establishing its first dedicated helicopter training academy to centralize pilot and maintenance instruction.

The facility also hosts RotorSim, a joint venture established with CAE that provides synthetic training solutions for rotary-wing operators. To support the growing demand for training and simulation, Leonardo has steadily increased its workforce at the location. Employee headcount at the Sesto Calende facility stood at approximately 470 in 2022. By 2025, that number had grown by 30 percent to reach over 610 personnel. Across all of its global helicopter training activities, Leonardo reports that it trains 16,000 people annually, a volume that requires continuous investment in physical infrastructure and simulation technology.

The financial weight of training and support

Training and support services represent highly lucrative segments for aerospace original equipment manufacturers. By expanding its physical infrastructure for simulator production, Leonardo is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the aftermarket revenue generated by its global helicopter fleet. The 42 percent revenue share generated by the Customer Support, Services & Training segment between 2023 and 2025 highlights the financial stability provided by long-term service contracts and recurrent training mandates.

The demand for Leonardo’s rotary-wing products remains active in the broader market, ensuring a steady pipeline of operators requiring simulation services. In early October 2026, GD Helicopter Finance secured a EUR 125 million facility to finance new Airbus and Leonardo helicopter deliveries. The continued influx of new airframes into the commercial and parapublic markets directly drives the requirement for initial type ratings and recurrent simulator training, reinforcing the business case for the Sesto Calende expansion.

AirPro News analysis

We view the Sesto Calende expansion as a clear indicator of where aerospace manufacturers are finding reliable margins. With Customer Support, Services & Training generating 42 percent of Leonardo’s helicopter revenues, the division is no longer just a supporting function for airframe sales. By bringing more simulator development and manufacturing in-house, Leonardo reduces its reliance on third-party simulation providers and captures the full lifecycle value of its aircraft platforms. This vertical integration strategy ensures that as the global fleet grows, the high-margin training revenue flows directly back to the original equipment manufacturer.

Advertisement

Textron Aviation has launched Kansas’ first state-registered aviation youth apprenticeship program, creating a paid, multi-year training pathway for high school students starting at age 16. The initiative aims to build a localized workforce pipeline for the aerospace manufacturer by integrating classroom education with hands-on technical experience.

Announced in a press release on September 30, 2026, the program operates in collaboration with the Kansas Office of Apprenticeships, WSU Tech, and Tri County Tech. The first cohorts of students began their training in the fall of 2026, entering specialized tracks designed to address the aviation industry’s growing demand for skilled maintenance and manufacturing professionals.

Program structure and educational partnerships

The youth apprenticeship initiative encompasses three distinct technical tracks distributed across two Kansas facilities. In Wichita, students can pursue Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) or Avionics disciplines through a partnership with WSU Tech. In Independence, Kansas, the program offers an Engine Buildup track in collaboration with Tri County Tech.

The curriculum was developed alongside several regional educational institutions to align high school graduation requirements with industry technical standards. Participating schools include Wichita Public Schools, Haysville Public Schools, Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, and Dewey High School in neighboring Oklahoma.

Students entering the program engage in structured skill development that spans up to three years. Upon completion, participants earn a recognized credential through the Kansas Office of Apprenticeships, positioning them for immediate employment in the aerospace sector or further technical education.

Maggie Topping, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Communications at Textron Aviation, stated that the program is designed to introduce students to the aerospace sector before they finalize their post-secondary plans.

“The youth apprenticeship program is about opening the door earlier for students who can see themselves building a future in aviation. By working with our education and workforce partners, we’re helping students gain meaningful experience, build confidence and develop the skills our industry needs for the future,” Topping said.

Expanding the aerospace workforce pipeline

The aviation manufacturing and maintenance sectors face a sustained demand for skilled labor. Aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers are increasingly turning to apprenticeship models to secure a long-term workforce. By connecting education directly with industry requirements, companies can train workers on specific equipment and procedures while students are still completing their secondary education.

State officials view the integration of registered apprenticeships into high schools as a critical economic development tool. The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship has supported the expansion of these programs across multiple industries, with aviation representing a major component of the state’s manufacturing base.

“We already are seeing positive results in other sectors when Kansas employers bring Registered Apprenticeship directly to high school students,” said Shonda Anderson, Director of the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship. “Textron Aviation is leading the way in aviation and advanced manufacturing, giving young Kansans the opportunity to earn while they learn, and building the skills they need for high-wage, in-demand careers right here in Kansas. This is more than preparing students for the future – it’s connecting youth with great aviation careers right now.”

Educational partners also emphasized the dual benefits of the earn-and-learn model. Dr. Sheree Utash, President of WSU Tech, noted that the direct path into high-demand careers serves the interests of both the students and the broader regional economy, describing the initiative as a direct path into high-demand aviation careers.

Advertisement

Textron Aviation’s history of workforce investments

The launch of the youth apprenticeship program follows several years of targeted workforce development initiatives by Textron Aviation. The company, a subsidiary of Textron Inc., is a major aerospace manufacturer responsible for the Cessna, Beechcraft, and Pipistrel brands. Its product portfolio spans business jets, turboprops, light and high-performance pistons, as well as special mission and military trainer aircraft. According to the company, Textron Aviation has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide and supports a customer base spread across more than 170 countries.

To support its production rates and global operations, Textron Aviation launched its first state-registered adult apprenticeship cohort in August 2023. That inaugural group included two paint apprentices and eight maintenance apprentices. The cohort completed their training and earned certificates of completion in August 2025.

The success of the initial adult program attracted state-level financial support. In late 2025, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced that Textron Aviation was one of 12 businesses selected to receive a portion of a $535,000 state grant. The funding was specifically allocated to expand registered apprenticeship programs across Kansas. Textron Aviation utilized the grant to grow its A&P apprenticeships in collaboration with WSU Tech, a development the company highlighted in May 2026.

The first cohorts of the new youth program are expected to complete their structured skill development by 2029. The initiative represents a structural shift in how aerospace manufacturers in the region recruit and train technical talent, moving the point of entry earlier in the educational timeline to secure the next generation of aviation professionals.