Airbus Helicopters has now flown its new H160 medium-twin on two occasions, the airframer confirms.
A 40min maiden flight took place on 13 June – shortly before the Paris show got under way – with a second flight performed four days later from its Marignane, France site. “The first results are extremely promising,” says chief executive Guillaume Faury.
Its initial sortie was flown in ground effect to allow the flight-test team to validate the overall behaviour and initial data from the helicopter, it says. “The first flight was very promising in terms of stability, vibrations, and sound levels,” says Olivier Gensse, who took the H160’s controls for the test.
Airbus Helicopters will now look to progressively open the flight envelope for the new rotorcraft, with the H160 having already reached 130kt (241km/h) on its second sortie.
Airbus Helicopters
Three flight-test articles will be used in the certification campaign, with the second prototype powered on for the first time on 12 June. Certification and service entry are scheduled for 2018.
Despite being dropped from the programme, initial evaluations will be performed using a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210-equipped example. Turbomeca, which will supply engines for production H160s, will deliver its first Arrano turboshaft by year-end. First flight of the Arrano will take place in “late 2015 or early 2016”, says Turbomeca.
The helicopter is already attracting market interest. Jonathan Baliff, chief executive of oil and gas operator Bristow Group, speaking at a Paris event to celebrate the firm’s 60th birthday, says: “From everything I hear it’s a great aircraft.”
Bristow sits on the customer advisory panel for the H160 and has helped shape the helicopter’s development. “The things that our clients care about, Airbus has listened to and learned some lessons.”
Source: Flight Daily News
