Published: Monday December 3, 2012 MYT 11:56:00 AM
Simulator centre set to make M'sia regional training hub for helicopter pilots
By NICHOLAS CHENG
SUBANG JAYA: Malaysia will become Asia-Pacific's training hub for helicopter pilots and crew, with the setting up of a regional simulator centre here in January 2013.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the simulator centre, which is a joint venture by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and Boustead Heavy Industry Corporation, would act as a training centre for EC225/725 copters as well as a helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul centre.
"Southeast Asia's helicopter market is one of the fastest growing and Malaysia is well placed to meet demands for this dynamic growth through comprehensive cooperation projects with various companies," said Dr Ahmad Zahid.
The minister was at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah airport where he received the first two of 12 EC725 medium-lift helicopters for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
The 12 helicopters, with a price tag of RM2.3bil, will be used for search and rescue operations, troop transport and utility missions.
He said the copters, by the French Eurocopter Group, would compliment and eventually replace the 20 aging Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri helicopters bought in 1968.
- Special team formed to probe lockup death
- Pandan MP to stand trial for violation of banking secrecy over NFC documents
- DAP's Thanksgiving Rally (Live Updates)
- EC to start redelineation of electoral constituencies
- Zahid asks for evidence of electoral roll impropriety; says he’ll get to the bottom of it
- NFC chief tells court that he trusted the consultant because he claimed he was sent by Dr M
- Home Ministry seizes tabloids published by Opposition
- Large migrant population a security threat, says Sabah's top cop
- Pakatan to file 27 election petitions, says Tian Chua
- Transport Ministry reveals new FT registration plate to start with W1A
- Ahmad Zahid: Government will take action on foreigners who abuse student visas
- Adam Adli claims trial to sedition charge
- Tian Chua, Haris Ibrahim, Tamrin Ghafar detained (Update)
- Tabung Haji top-level official denies khalwat
- Justice Akhtar: Intention to finish off Sosilawati, others at wrong place wrong time
- IHH Healthcare earnings up 3.6% to RM127.27m
- Petronas Dagangan Q1 earnings down 3.7% to RM237m
- Japan's tumble drags key regional, European markets lower (Update)
- KUB in JV with Singapore's Hiap Seng for Petronas project
- TDM to plant 5,000ha of new trees every year in Kalimantan
- KLCI falls to low of 1,765, rattled by Japan, HK
- Japan stocks crash on volatile bonds, weak China data; Nikkei ends down 7.3%
- MISC posts RM300m net profit in Q1, sees challenging year ahead (Update)
- KL Kepong slips to low of RM21.36 as quarterly profit drops
- Maybank's Q1 earnings up 11.8% to RM1.506b (Update)
- Lafarge Cement positive on markets, mulls expanding capacity
- Dayang Enterprise awards RM705m contract to Perdana Petroleum
- KLCI pauses, Japan, Hong Kong key indices slide (Update)
- ECM Libra plans to exit PN17 by year-end
- China HSBC flash PMI hits 7-mth low, fans growth fears
- Ranger, militant killed in Thai south shootout
- Japan man, 80, scales Everest, sets record
- Philippines vows to defend territory against China
- S. Korean girl killed by suicide jumper
- Ecuador warns satellite could hit rocket remains
- Short-story writer Davis wins Booker International Prize
- Two babies among US tornado victims

- Anti-Islamist protests flare following London attack
- 'British solider' butchered in suspected Islamist attack (Updated)

- Rugby: Former All Black coach Henry on misconduct charge
- Ice queen Nicol into British Open quarters
- Australia to consider following ban on anchor putters
- Intxausti wins 16th stage, Nibali still keeps pink jersey
- Indonesia drawn to meet China again – in knockout stage
- Results worldwide
- Malacca sprinter Mohd Azam Masri out to create history by winning five events in MSSM meet
- Athletics runs in the veins of Vallabouy family
- Chinese long jumper Jinzhe claims another Olympic scalp
- Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
- National badminton team’s lack of depth a glaring factor in home tourney
- Khim Wah-V Shem perform above expectations in Sudirman Cup debut
- Jindapon aims to qualify for 2016 Olympics
- Kenichi’s goal is to take Japan into Sudirman Cup semi-finals
- Dong-keun shows he’s a capable replacement
- Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
- All four accused guilty in murder of Sosilawati Lawiya and three others (Update)
- What comes after WYY?
- Tian Chua, Haris Ibrahim, Tamrin Ghafar detained (Update)
- Probe into why teen withdrew rape report
- Adam Adli charged with uttering seditious words (Update)
- A-G: Prosecution to proceed with statutory rape charges against Riduan
- Family demands full inquiry into death of shooting suspect under remand
- Astro and Maxis to deliver new-age TV service in Klang Valley
- Justice Akhtar: Intention to finish off Sosilawati, others at wrong place wrong time
- Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
- Transport Ministry reveals new FT registration plate to start with W1A
- In China, food scares put Mao's self-sufficiency goal at risk
- Tian Chua, Haris Ibrahim, Tamrin Ghafar detained (Update)
- What comes after WYY?
- Verdict ends three years of restlessness for family, says Sosilawati's daughter
- All four accused guilty in murder of Sosilawati Lawiya and three others (Update)
- Chromebook to help rural pupils leapfrog into parity with urban peers
- Astro and Maxis to deliver new-age TV service in Klang Valley
- Japan's wartime brothels were wrong, says 91-year-old veteran

