What is your current role and where are you based? How long have you been working at Airbus?
My name is Arnaud Roux. I joined Airbus Helicopters in 2020 as an operational marketing manager and today I’m a flight instructor flying with our Oil & Gas (O&G) customer to support the entry into service of the H175 in Malaysia.
I’m currently a flight instructor on H175 and H160 in Malaysia, seconded to our O&G customer HAS International on Borneo island , to support the entry into service of the H175 in their operations. I perform maintenance and training flights in Malaysia. I also support the regional sales team when they need to provide operational and technical information to our potential customers.
This role is unique because it didn’t exist before. Typically, Airbus instructors are on-site with customers for military contracts, delivering training but this is the first time we’ve done it for an Oil & Gas customer.
These companies usually have mature organisations, but this time, they wanted assurance that the transition to a new operator with a new type of aircraft would be smooth—not only from a technical standpoint for the engineers but also regarding pilot training and skill development. The Oil & Gas industry is one of the most demanding and regulated sectors in air operations, so safety is critical.
I had to sit exams to obtain my Malaysian flight licence, allowing me to fly without restrictions in the country. For nearly two years, I’ve flown commercial flights with our customer, providing operational training and advice to ensure they could use the H175 to its full potential. I also became an instructor on the H160, delivering training for the first ACH160 in Malaysia.
What’s a typical day like for you as a flight instructor?
As a flight instructor not fully dedicated to the Airbus Training Organisation, each day is different.
One day, I can perform maturing flight with the pilots’ customer, or deliver operational training like how to use the H175 automation to land by day or by night on an offshore platform.
Another day I can complete the initial training on real aircraft for pilots coming back from the simulator, or I can perform maintenance flights for the Airbus MRO in Kuala Lumpur.
Which aircraft/products are you working with?
I currently fly on the latest generation of Airbus Helicopters, the H160 medium and H175 super medium class.
What inspired you to be a part of the aerospace sector?
Concerning the beginning of your career path at Airbus - what was the main drive that led you to apply and be part of this company?
After 15 years in the French Army Aviation followed by 13 years in the Oil & Gas industry as an operational pilot, I decided to join Airbus. My decision was driven by the desire to discover the industry world and to meet customers to convince them to use Airbus products.
What do you enjoy the most about working for Airbus?
What I enjoy most about working for Airbus is the opportunity to take on roles and challenges. After we successfully convinced our customer to introduce the H175 into their operations, I had the unexpected chance to get back into the pilot seat.
When I was working as an Operational Marketing Manager, the Oil & Gas companies and the operator asked for Airbus to not only provide a technical representative but also an experienced offshore pilot for the H175’s entry into service.
I was contacted for this mission, and after discussing it with my wife, I immediately said yes. Airbus supported my transition by investing in a Type Rating Instructor training programme, which prepared me for this new role.
In my current job, I share the knowledge and experience I gained flying in the North Sea during the H175’s entry into service. This role is new and beneficial for all the stakeholders, as it not only ensures a smooth technical transition but also support pilots develop their skills.
What has been the most challenging part of helping introduce the H175 in the O&G sector?
The H175 is an easy helicopter to fly and as I say all the time, to try it is to adopt it. Jokes apart, due to the high level of automation of the H175, my role is to give the pilots the confidence in it to be sure that they will use the automation properly when they need it. I also need to correct them when they want to fly the H175 the same way that they did on a previous helicopter on which they were flying with.
What’s the most challenging part of being a flight instructor?
Every day it’s a learning day and you need to adapt your training to the trainee to deliver the key messages as everybody is different.
Tell us about one of the most memorable experiences from your career at Airbus. What made it so special and unforgettable?
Last year, I got the chance to ferry an ACH175 from Marignane to Gabon with the customer’s pilots. It was a fantastic trip following the African West coast. On the arrival there was a ceremony and I got a medal from the Minister of Defense. I was proud to represent Airbus.
It’s the first time an Airbus Helicopters pilot has been seconded to a customer to perform commercial flights under their operational procedures.
What is the most important advice you have been given, and is there any important advice you would like to give?
When I started at Airbus, one day in a meeting, a manager told me, continue to bring your energy and your vision from the outside, because we need it.
One piece of advice that I would like to give is - be positive and take more time to find a solution to a problem rather than wasting time saying it can't be done.
What has been one of the most empowering moments at Airbus?
When I was in operational marketing, the fact that I managed to convince decision-makers to make a promotional video for the H175M, which we did in two weeks. It is still in use today.
What is the most important message you would like to send out to women considering a career in the aeronautic industry?
Don’t be shy, be confident in yourself, keep going and you will succeed.
I am a father of 2 young women, and I dream that they can have no limits due to their gender in working life
What advice would you give to students or young pilots who want to become flight instructors?
Be professional, be curious, open the books and your mind.
What are the benefits of working at Airbus?
To get the chance of meeting and working with people from different countries and cultures.
Any fun facts you’d like to share?
During the inaugural flight of his ACH175 and after landing at his palace in Kuala Lumpur, the King of Malaysia, who was going to drive a Peugeot 5008, called out to me to point out that it was a French car. I then replied, laughing, that it was normal since he had a French helicopter.