Airbus Helicopters has achieved certification for its H160 helicopter from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), signifying a major milestone in the aircraft's development and positioning it for the U.S. market.
The H160 represents a ground-breaking medium-class rotorcraft that establishes new standards in safety, comfort, and environmental performance. It incorporates state-of-the-art technologies, including noise-reducing Blue Edge rotor blades, a canted Fenestron tail rotor for increased useful load, and Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite, which reduces pilot workload.
Having previously obtained certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in July 2020, the H160 has gained popularity among customers worldwide. Airbus Helicopters has received over 100 orders for the H160 from customers globally, including more than a dozen from the United States. The helicopter is already in service in Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Europe, with the fleet accumulating over 1700 flight hours.
Extensive preparations have been underway for several years to ensure a seamless entry into service for the H160. This includes the anticipated introduction of North America's first H160 level-D full-flight simulator (FFS), as announced earlier. Located at the Helisim Simulation Centre within the Airbus Helicopters facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, the FFS is projected to be operational by the second half of 2025.
