Bristow Inaugurates AW139 Full-flight Simulator at Aberdeen Training Centre

Bristow Inaugurates AW139 Full-flight Sim at Aberdeen

Training for pilots flying offshore and search and rescue missions

Inauguration of level-D AW139 flight simulator at Bristow Aberdeen — Officials celebrated the inauguration of a new CAE level-D Leonardo AW139 full flight simulator at Bristow's Aberdeen, Scotland, Training Centre. © Leonardo Helicopters

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

October 27, 2026

Bristow Group pilots can now train on a new AW139 level-D simulator at the company’s simulation hall in Dyce, Aberdeen, near Scotland’s Aberdeen International Airport (EGPD). The simulator was developed by the Leonardo and CAE Rotorsim joint venture, which includes an AW189 full-flight simulator at the Aberdeen Training Centre, in addition to six classrooms serving Bristow oil-and-gas and search-and-rescue crews.

“We are delighted to see the AW139 simulator now installed at our Aberdeen Training Centre,” said Bristow head of UK training Nigel Piercey. “This new simulator will provide a tremendous capability for supporting pilots as they train on the AW139 aircraft, delivering mission-critical services for our UK and international customers.”

Bristow built the Aberdeen Training Centre to be close to its “crucial areas of operations,” which, according to the company, include the North Sea and regional communities for search-and-rescue operations.

“Training and simulation technologies are essential enablers to guarantee maximized benefits from customers’ helicopter use and to consistently raise the bar of operational safety,” said Fabrizio Peano, Leonardo Helicopters v-p of simulation and training services. “We’re excited to celebrate this latest result together, and we look forward to supporting Bristow and other potential users as they begin to use this new device.”