COPTERSAFETY RELEASES “FROM THE GROUND UP” 

COPTERSAFETY RELEASES DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM “FROM THE GROUND UP” 

Coptersafety released “From the Ground Up” – a captivating documentary short film about helicopter pilots – for World Helicopter Day and has already gained over 23,000 views. 

“I grew up moving around the world for my father’s career in aviation, and helicopters have been part of my life since I was a baby. I was tired of the false narrative Hollywood movies paint about helicopters,” says Isabella Presnal, Coptersafety’s Marketing Manager. “Creating documentaries that educate and evoke emotional responses is my passion, and I knew I needed to make a film about the rotor industry’s most important factor – safety.” 

Photo: Kristian Krog being interviewed by Coptersafety’s Isabella Presnal (right) with No-Office Films team Vertti Virkajärvi and Janne Häkkinen (left) filming at Pegasus Helicopter Oslo base. Photo by Kristian Presnal.

The long-awaited documentary short film, “From the Ground Up”, was released online in August and has already surpassed 23,000 views in less than three weeks. Featuring the stories of three seasoned pilots, the short film, produced by Coptersafety, aims to debunk Hollywood misconceptions about helicopters and the pilots who fly them.

Andreas Hjert is an air ambulance pilot for Norwegian Air Ambulance flying in northern Norway. Flying different mission types, particularly sling-load operations, Kristian Krog works as an aerial work pilot for Pegasus Helicopter. Marthijn over de Linden operates in the wind energy sector with HeliService, flying and hoisting wind turbine technicians in the North Sea.

These pilots also oversee the training for their crews in and out of the simulator at Coptersafety. “As training and safety are core of our being, it has been rewarding to be able to produce this documentary about our customers to share the stories of their day-to-day life as a helicopter pilot,” states Hannu Marjoniemi, Coptersafety’s Commercial Director. 

Coptersafety is the largest independent helicopter simulator training center in the world, aiming to improve helicopter safety. The film features Coptersafety’s impressive fleet of TRU Simulation full-flight simulators designed for H125, H145, AW139, and AW169 licensed pilots.

“TRU is proud to be a part of this documentary and we’re honored to know that our training devices help ensure pilots get home to their families safely at the end of every trip,” shared TRU Simulation’s General Manager, Gerald Messaris.

“From the Ground Up” is for the rotor industry, but it’s also for audiences unfamiliar with the industry to gain a new interest and support the growing need for pilots. As Marjoniemi shared “We would hope this film encourages aspiring pilots to seek career opportunities in this unique industry where the safety and wellbeing of pilots, their families, and the rest of the crews and customers are not just essential, but the core of their operations.” 

The documentary short film is now available to watch online on YouTube: https://youtu.be/N6DbR9zmmj0

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND PRESS IMAGES

Hannu Marjoniemi, Commercial Director, Coptersafety Ltd.

hannu.marjoniemi@coptersafety.com

Isabella Presnal, Customer Experience and Marketing Manager, Coptersafety Ltd.

isabella.presnal@coptersafety.com


About Coptersafety

Coptersafety is an independent helicopter pilot training provider for commercial, government and private organizations. The company provides simulator training for H125, H145, AW139, and AW169 helicopter type pilots around the world at its training facility four minutes from Helsinki International Airport. Coptersafety is a FAA, EASA, GACA, CAAT, and UK Training Center / Approved Training Organization (ATO), among others. Coptersafety has taken the initiative to genuinely improve pilot training to ensure the safety performance of the operators. 

New Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor at Coptersafety has been nominated.

Helicopter training service provider Coptersafety has announced a new Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor. Matthew Presnal replaces Chris Schlepers on this position.

Helicopter training service provider Coptersafety has announced a new Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor. Matthew Presnal replaces Chris Schlepers on this position.

HELSINKI, FINLAND – Coptersafety has today announced the appointment of Matthew Presnal as a new Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor. Matt has moved from his past role as a Regulatory Compliance and Engineering Services Manager and is already focusing on his new tasks.

Matthew is a helicopter pilot and flight instructor with over 25 years of global aviation industry experience. From military and commercial production, maintenance, engineering flight test, and in addition HEMS operations in the mountains of Colorado, Matt brings all his expertise to Coptersafety. Finally, thanks to his broad aviation background, he will be able to further the training experience that matches the needs of Coptersafety customers.

“Providing a high-quality training experience is essential for Coptersafety. Our customers operate in some of the most challenging environments every day, and therefore, when they arrive at Coptersafety, our talented professionals are always ready to help those operators train to meet those challenges. As the Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor, I look forward to continuing to provide the highest quality of helicopter training to our customers.”

– Matt Presnal commented on his new position. 

Matt is stepping into big shoes left behind by his predecessor Chris Schlepers, who has been playing a vital role at Coptersafety since its very beginnings. Luckily for the company, Chris will still continue to support the helicopter training by helping Coptersafety to further develop and test its simulators. Most importantly, he’ll also keep his position as a part-time Flight Instructor.

“Firstly, I would like to thank Chris for his important role in the development of Coptersafety. He has contributed to this company personally and most importantly inspired others to make a difference. His hard work and dedication were an important part of our team. As he turns the page in his life’s story, we wish him every success in all of his future endeavors, however, we still hope to see him around.

Secondly, I also wish Matt many fruitful days at Coptersafety and as I believe he’s the right person in the right place. In conclusion, I’m sure that with Matt taking over we’ll continue to provide the best possible training opportunities for our clients.”

– said Mikko Kallio, Head of Training at Coptersafety 

Matthew Presnal, New Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor at Coptersafety
Matthew Presnal, New Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor at Coptersafety

Additional information: 

Matthew Presnal, Chief Theoretical Knowledge Instructor, matthew@coptersafety.com

Mikko Kallio, Head of Training, mikko.kallio@coptersafety.com

About Coptersafety

Coptersafety is an independent helicopter pilot training provider for commercial, government, and private organizations. The company provides simulator training for helicopter pilots around the world at its training facility next to Helsinki Airport. Above all, Coptersafety has taken the initiative to genuinely improve pilot training to ensure the safety performance of the operators. Read more of our latest news or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Manuel Guillen has been appointed as Coptersafety’s new AW139 Type Lead Instructor

Helicopter training service provider Coptersafety has announced a new AW139 Type Lead Instructor. Manuel ’’Manolo’’ Guillen follows previously assigned Ivar Koster on this position.

HELSINKI, FINLAND – Coptersafety has today announced the appointment of Manuel Guillen as a new AW139 Type Lead Instructor. Manuel has been selected from within the organization as he’s been a full-time instructor at Coptersafety for many years. Guillen will take up his new position on the 1st of September.

“Manolo has years of operational experience behind him and is known within our customers for his bright personality. He has a comprehensive background of being a military, HEMS, and SAR pilot. Manolo’s latest track record in being an acknowledged full-time instructor demonstrates his skills. I am confident his solid background will help in growing Coptersafety’s operations.“

– said Bob van den Boogaardt, Coptersafety’s Chief Flight Instructor. 

’’I am excited to be a part of Coptersafety´s team. I’ve enjoyed the job every single day during my time as an instructor. Contributing my small grain of experience to make pilots’ life easier and safer and give customers the best training through Coptersafety has been my challenge and dedication in the past years. It couldn’t have been possible without the great atmosphere we enjoy at our facilities. I’m glad to join this new position and surely I will put all my effort to fill the big gap Ivar has left’’

Manuel Guillen commented on his new position. 

Guillen will follow Ivar Koster who has worked in the role of Coptersafety’s AW139 Type Lead instructor since June 2016. 

“I would like to thank Ivar for his important contribution in the development of  Coptersafety. He’s been with us for many years and we wish him all the best in his future ventures. We hope to still see him from time to time as he’s decided to keep a freelance instructor position. Although he has big shoes to fill, I believe that Manolo will be excellent in his new position”

– said Mikko Kallio, Head of Training at Coptersafety. 

Manuel "Manolo" Guillen

Additional information: 

Manuel “Manolo” Guillen, AW139 Type Lead Instructor,

manuel@coptersafety.com

Mikko Kallio, Head of Training,

mikko.kallio@coptersafety.com

Bob van den Boogardt, Chief Flight Instructor,

bob@coptersafety.com

About Coptersafety

Coptersafety is an independent helicopter pilot training provider for commercial, government, and private organizations. The company provides simulator training for helicopter pilots around the world at its training facility next to Helsinki Airport. Coptersafety has taken the initiative to genuinely improve pilot training to ensure the safety performance of the operators. For more information visit: www.coptersafety.com