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Oct 22, 2024

Meet Arnaud | Airbus

As a flight instructor not fully dedicated to the Airbus Training Organisation, each day is different.One day, I can perform maturing flight with the pilots’ customer, or deliver operational training

As a flight instructor not fully dedicated to the Airbus Training Organisation, each day is different.One day, I can perform maturing flight with the pilots’ customer, or deliver operational training like how to use the H175 automation to land by day or by night on an offshore platform.

Another day I can complete the initial training on real aircraft for pilots coming back from the simulator, or I can perform maintenance flights for the Airbus MRO in Kuala Lumpur.

I currently fly on the latest generation of Airbus Helicopters, the H160 medium and H175 super medium class.

Concerning the beginning of your career path at Airbus - what was the main drive that led you to apply and be part of this company?After 15 years in the French Army Aviation followed by 13 years in the Oil & Gas industry as an operational pilot, I decided to join Airbus. My decision was driven by the desire to discover the industry world and to meet customers to convince them to use Airbus products.

What I enjoy most about working for Airbus is the opportunity to take on roles and challenges. After we successfully convinced our customer to introduce the H175 into their operations, I had the unexpected chance to get back into the pilot seat.

When I was working as an Operational Marketing Manager, the Oil & Gas companies and the operator asked for Airbus to not only provide a technical representative but also an experienced offshore pilot for the H175’s entry into service.

I was contacted for this mission, and after discussing it with my wife, I immediately said yes. Airbus supported my transition by investing in a Type Rating Instructor training programme, which prepared me for this new role.

In my current job, I share the knowledge and experience I gained flying in the North Sea during the H175’s entry into service. This role is new and beneficial for all the stakeholders, as it not only ensures a smooth technical transition but also support pilots develop their skills.

The H175 is an easy helicopter to fly and as I say all the time, to try it is to adopt it. Jokes apart, due to the high level of automation of the H175, my role is to give the pilots the confidence in it to be sure that they will use the automation properly when they need it. I also need to correct them when they want to fly the H175 the same way that they did on a previous helicopter on which they were flying with.

Every day it’s a learning day and you need to adapt your training to the trainee to deliver the key messages as everybody is different.

Last year, I got the chance to ferry an ACH175 from Marignane to Gabon with the customer’s pilots. It was a fantastic trip following the African West coast. On the arrival there was a ceremony and I got a medal from the Minister of Defense. I was proud to represent Airbus.

It’s the first time an Airbus Helicopters pilot has been seconded to a customer to perform commercial flights under their operational procedures.

When I started at Airbus, one day in a meeting, a manager told me, continue to bring your energy and your vision from the outside, because we need it.

One piece of advice that I would like to give is - be positive and take more time to find a solution to a problem rather than wasting time saying it can't be done.

When I was in operational marketing, the fact that I managed to convince decision-makers to make a promotional video for the H175M, which we did in two weeks. It is still in use today.

Don’t be shy, be confident in yourself, keep going and you will succeed.

I am a father of 2 young women, and I dream that they can have no limits due to their gender in working life

What advice would you give to students or young pilots who want to become flight instructors?

Be professional, be curious, open the books and your mind.

To get the chance of meeting and working with people from different countries and cultures.

During the inaugural flight of his ACH175 and after landing at his palace in Kuala Lumpur, the King of Malaysia, who was going to drive a Peugeot 5008, called out to me to point out that it was a French car. I then replied, laughing, that it was normal since he had a French helicopter.