Second H160 prototype flies
Second H160 prototype (Credit - Thierry Rostang)
The second Airbus Helicopters H160 prototype has begun test flying at Marignane and has joined the first H160 in the program.
The second H160 performed its first ground run on 18th December 2015.
The second prototype is the first H160 to fly with the Turbomeca Arrano engines. PT1 had accumulated more than 75 hours of flight testing by the end of 2015, allowing the aircraft to open the flight envelope and validating some of the helicopter’s excellent features and outstanding handling qualities right from the start.
“After a very busy year 2015 in terms of flight activities, introducing PT2 is an important step in the H160 development as we will launch performance testing with the Turbomeca Arrano engines.”
Bernard Fujarski, head of the H160 Program said: “After a very busy year 2015 in terms of flight activities, introducing PT2 is an important step in the H160 development as we will launch performance testing with the Turbomeca Arrano engines.”
“The development program will benefit from 5 development aircraft; two helicopter zeros and three flying prototypes will be paving the way to entry into service in 2018.” Fujarski added.
Airbus Helicopters released a short video of the flight
