SHELTON, Conn. – Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aviation Training Consulting (ATC) to establish an advanced flight and maintenance training academy, the Sikorsky Training Academy (STA), in Altus. SAS is the worldwide aftermarket business of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

“Many of our customers, particularly U.S. Government agencies and foreign militaries, have difficulty obtaining thorough standardized training for their flight crews and maintenance teams. In particular, there is a lack of advanced mission training beyond basic conversion courses and currency training. Many customers rely on training companies that are neither U.S. military nor Sikorsky qualified,” said Dr. Andreas Bernhard, SAS Chief Engineer and Director of Analytics, Technology and Engineering. “Establishing this center is a significant step in enabling us to deliver a comprehensive, tailored OEM training curriculum of the highest standards, capable of preparing our students for a wide variety of missions.”

Projected to launch in 2013, the academy will initially focus on meeting the needs of foreign militaries using the BLACK HAWK helicopter as the training platform. Altus, located near Fort Sill, provides the training academy with access to several hundred square miles of operating space, certified landing areas, and certified night vision routes. Additionally, Altus weather conditions are well suited to flight training schedules.

SAS’ proposed partner in the development of the STA will be Aviation Training Consulting, an Altus-based firm and an industry leader in designing and providing advanced training solutions. Sikorsky has entered into an MOU with ATC and is in the process of final discussions for establishing the academy. ATC has existing relationships with Sikorsky’s customers.

“The creation of the STA is a natural progression of our relationship with Sikorsky and will not only benefit Sikorsky and ATC, it would make Altus a key global destination of choice for advanced military aircraft training,” said Robert Cox, CEO of ATC. “Oklahoma is proud of its rich aerospace and defense industry, which represents approximately 10 percent of its economy. We look forward to the development of the training academy and our association with Sikorsky, an internationally respected company.”

SAS provides comprehensive support to rotary and fixed wing aircraft throughout the world. It offers its military and commercial operators a full portfolio of support services, including material distribution, maintenance, overhaul & repair, aircraft modifications and life-cycle support. Sikorsky, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.