The new Steyr Arms Training Academy, led by Eduardo Abril de Fontcuberta and based at the company headquarters in Bessemer, AL, will hold its inaugural sessions in March 2018. Class size for the pair of three-day exercises is limited to a maximum of seven students to ensure a personal, trainer-like experience for attendees.
Fontcuberta, a native of Spain, may be best known in the United States for his frequent writing in firearm magazines, and the world champion long-range competitor brings a wealth of knowledge to the classes. His experience includes 25 years as a military and law-enforcement sniper trainer and armorer.
A SPR-I (Steyr Precision Rifle) course will be conducted March 9 through 11, 2018, followed by SPA (Steyr Precision Armorer) March 30 through April 1, 2018. Each will provide students with more than 24 hours of instruction.
SPR-1 provides the theoretical knowledge, shooting practice and ballistic skills to wring the accuracy potential out of each Steyr rifle. The course covers the fundamentals of long-gun marksmanship, equipment selection, scope testing, wind estimation, software options, proper zeroing, factors that affect long-distance shooting and more. Students who don’t own one of the company’s precision rifles can rent a Steyr Pro THB at the facility for the event.
The SPA course focuses on the art of assembling and maintaining a precision rifle, special needs, optics, ammunition and proper completion of complex adjustments. It will cover maintenance, replacement, disassembly, re-assembly, trigger adjustment and even barrel changes. Attendees will also learn about scope-rail selection, scope-bases, proper mounting of optics—including night vision—advanced zero procedure for armorers, creating custom tables for the setup and loads and more. Testing will be done at the facility’s indoor range and outdoors at 600 yards.
Tuition for each course is $995, and more are slated for May 2018. Fontcuberta’s plans for future classes include focusing on other Steyr firearm platforms and their use.
