Press Release

The Mayor makes a flying visit to a new training school

Monday 28th April 2008

The Mayor and Mayoress made a stylish entry to the launch of Cutting Edge Helicopter Training School at the City of Derry Airport on Sunday. Arriving by helicopter to the launch event the Mayor, Drew Thompson, officially opened the doors of the new flying school to budding helicopter students in the North West. The event was also attended by the Airport Management Team, Air Traffic Controllers, Members of the Airport Consultative Committee and a number of Aviation enthusiasts from all over Ireland who flew into the airport for the event.

This exciting development at City of Derry (Eglinton) Airport reflects the increased interest in helicopter flying in Ireland both North and South. Helicopter flying is no longer just for celebrities, royalty or the super rich. More and more business people, regular commuters and thrill seekers are now using helicopters. Cutting Edge’s first successful student has already passed the final exam to attain his Helicopter Pilots Licence.

Jason Porter, owner of Cutting Edge, identified a gap in the market for a Rotary Pilot training school and decided to launch from the City of Derry Airport, Northern Ireland. The Rotary aircraft school complements the existing facility for fixed wing pilot training.

Cutting Edge is offering both training and self-fly hire. Jason is running up to three Robinson R22 helicopters and a pair of R44 machines, while two instructors and one examiner provide the human-side to the flying training.

The timing of the launch marks the significant upgrade of the airports airside and Air Traffic facilities which includes new approach procedures and a new apron.

The Mayor Alderman Drew Thompson speaking at the launch of Cutting Edge Helicopters at the City of Derry Airport said he was delighted to welcome new business to the airport. “The establishment of a rotary training school is good news for the airport and the North West region as a whole. I am confident that the provision of quality and professional flight training and introductory flights will be extremely popular and believe these additional services will add to the existing services that are available at the airport. This investment is an important part of the airport’s commitment to development and expansion and the provision of additional aviation services. I wish Cutting Edge Helicopters the very best with this business venture and hope it has a lot of success,” he said.

Speaking about the new venture, Jason said that “Flying has always been my passion and having achieved my Helicopter Private Pilots Licence PPL(H) I decided to take advantage of an opportunity to open the school at a time when there is a great interest in helicopter flying in this area. Eglinton Airport is great place to train, with trial flights often conducted along the picturesque North Antrim Coast”.

To find out more about Cutting Edge, visit their website at: www.cuttingedgehelicopters.com

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