Eighteen months of demanding and challenging helicopter pilot training culminated in the graduation of 10 helicopter pilot trainees from the Kuwaiti Police Department on Friday 15th August 2008.  This was the second successive contract awarded to Tiger Helicopters based at Shobdon Aerodrome near Leominster.  Tiger’s impressive operational base and fleet of helicopters meant that all training as stipulated by the comprehensive agreed contract could be conducted in-house, something which previous training providers have failed to do. The successful graduates will now return to their country to assist in crime prevention, law enforcement and search and rescue.

The pilots were specifically chosen to fly with Tiger Helicopters following a gruelling aptitude test in their home state. Arriving in Herefordshire in early 2007, the trainees were accommodated in family homes in the local area surrounding Shobdon airfield.

The course consisted of learning to fly the basic but effective Robinson R22 training helicopter, followed by a transition onto the Bell 206 Single Turbine Jet Ranger.

Having attained a good standard of flying on both of these machines, which included navigation exercises, winching and load lifting, and search and rescue, they then began training on the Police equipped AS355 Twin Squirrel, which honed their skills in vehicle pursuit, surveillance and night operations. 

Their final training acquainted them with instrument flying (flying in cloud) in the Augusta 109, a versatile and popular charter helicopter.

In addition to the Administration and training staff, and families who accommodated the Kuwaiti trainees, the graduation ceremony was attended by two VIPs, Lieutenant Colonel Captain Talal Al-Qenae and Lieutenant Colonel Al-Foudari who had especially flown in from Kuwait to witness the ceremony.

Each trainee was presented with a certificate of achievement and Trainee Fahad Almehaini was then presented with a trophy by Alan Ramsden, the owner of Tiger Helicopters for achieving and demonstrating the best flying skills on course.

In return, the Kuwaiti trainees then staged a local dance in front of the audience which was gratefully received by all in attendance.

Tiger Helicopters based at Shobdon airfield provides charter flying and pilot training to people with nil experience all the way up to commercial level. As well as owning several different types of helicopter it also has an Augusta 109 Instrument Rating Simulator on site, which provides a cost effective means of qualifying as a pilot for future employment on the oil rigs. The instructors are all highly experienced and the addition of an ex-Police Chief Helicopter Pilot enables the company to provide training not normally given by most helicopter training organisations.

Individuals interested in training or chartering a helicopter should contact Tiger Helicopters at Shobdon Aerodrome on 01568 708028 or by email: info@tigerhelicopters.co.uk