Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced a new milestone of 240,000 flight hours for the Bell Training Academy (BTA), reflecting Bell’s ongoing dedication to safety, capability and innovative learning. The Academy continues to strengthen its position as a leading provider of pilot and maintenance training, supporting growing demand from commercial and parapublic operators across Europe.
In 2025, BTA provided training to more than 2,000 pilots, contributing to Bell’s overall 140,000 pilots trained worldwide and now over 240,000 total flight hours accumulated throughout the academy’s history. Bell’s former military pilot instructors also logged 2,600 flight hours in BTA-owned aircraft last year, reinforcing the Academy’s in-demand hands-on training.
“The Bell Training Academy is industry leading helicopter training grounded in OEM-approved data, combining deep technical expertise with real world operational insight,” said Chad Sparks, General Manager, BTA.
“We aim to establish confidence and capability so operators can safely utilize their aircrafts for diverse missions,” he stressed.
Global Training Network
Bell continues to improve its global training footprint with locations designed to keep customers mission-ready, no matter where they operate. Through training facilities in the United States, Europe and Asia, Bell offers flexible, accessible programs through its global training network, providing well-rounded training experiences supported by skilled instructors and modern training technology.
The BTA Valencia, Bell’s premier training facility in Europe, continues to expand Bell’s European infrastructure with facilities supporting pilot and maintenance training. The center provides convenient access to OEM-standard instruction for operators across Europe. The BTA Valencia team offers a variety of commercial and parapublic training, utilizing advanced simulation technology with instruction from expert pilots to keep customers ready to fly.
Decades of Training Excellence
Established with a foundation of operational expertise and customer-focused curriculum, the BTA has delivered instruction to pilots and technicians for decades. Programs include a combination of classroom instruction, advanced 3-D courseware, simulators, full touchdown autorotations, and hands-on training that reflects real-world missions and evolving operator needs.
“Regarding the instructors in Valencia, I can say that their quality and professionalism are at a very high level,” said Viliam Krivak, Air Transport Europe, pilot. “I can also express my admiration for the excellence and technical sophistication of the simulator itself, which significantly helps us improve the quality of our training and enhances operational safety.”
Bell is an aerospace and defense company that engineers and manufactures aircraft for critical solutions in extreme scenarios. Bell is breaking barriers in lifting people to safety across transportation, medical, rescue and military services, and leading the industry in future solutions that are fast, reliable and efficient.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas - as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., - Bell has strategic locations around the globe.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training.
