Airbus H160 granted EASA type certificate

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Airbus Helicopters ’twin engine H160 has been granted its type certificate by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The award was “the result of several years of hard work by both Airbus and EASA, said certification director, Rachel Daeschler. Airbus is expecting FAA certification to follow shortly prior to the first delivery to an undisclosed US customer later this year.

Daeschler said.“It is the result of thorough design and testing efforts, to ensure the highest safety standards are reached. The design of the H160 makes it suitable for a wide range of versatile missions. It is also one of the most environmentally friendly with respect to fuel consumption and one of the quietest helicopters of its class.”

Airbus Helicopters relied on three prototypes, the first serial aircraft, and two additional test craft, the dynamic helicopter zero and the system helicopter zero, to develop and certify the H160. The helicopters have flown more than 1,500 hours both for flight tests and demo flights, so that customers can experience the H160 first-hand.

Designed as a multi-role helicopter, the model is able to perform missions such as: offshore transportation, emergency medical services, private and business aviation, and public services. Airbus boasts some technological innovations in the H160. These include safety features with Helionix’s accrued pilot assistance and flight envelope protection and sound-reducing Blue Edge blades.

“We are proud that the H160 has received its EASA type certificate,” Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO. “This achievement represents years of hard work designing, industrialising and defining the support ecosystem with our suppliers and partners. I would like to thank everyone who has dedicated their time and energy to turning this next generation helicopter into reality.”

H160 was not just designed with passengers and pilots in mind. Airbus claim operators will “appreciate its competitiveness, thanks to its increased fuel efficiency and customer-centric simplified maintenance eco-system.” Equipment accessibility has been improved by the helicopter’s optimised design, the maintenance plan was thoroughly verified during testing, and it is delivered with intuitive 3D maintenance documentation.

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