Airbus Helicopters’ Racer is off to a flying start..........

Airbus Helicopters Racer demonstrator, developed in the frame of the European Research Clean Sky 2 project, has performed its first flight, in Marignane. The aircraft flew for about 30 minutes, allowing the flight test team to check the overall behaviour of the aircraft.

This important milestone launches the flight campaign which will take two years and will aim to progressively open the aircraft’s flight envelope and demonstrate its high speed capabilities. 

“With its 90 patents, Racer is the perfect example of the level of innovation that can be achieved when European partners come together. This first flight is a proud moment for Airbus Helicopters and for our 40 partners in 13 countries,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “I look forward to watching this demonstrator pioneer high speed capabilities and develop the eco-mode system that will contribute to reducing fuel consumption,” he added. 

Optimised for a cruise speed of more than 400 km/h, the Racer demonstrator aims to achieve the best trade-off between speed, cost-efficiency, and mission performance. The Racer also targets a fuel consumption reduction of around 20%, compared to current generation helicopters of the same class, thanks to aerodynamic optimisation and an innovative eco-mode propulsion system. Developed with Safran Helicopter Engines, the  hybrid-electrical eco-mode system allows one of the two Aneto-1X engines to be paused while in cruise flight, thus contributing to cutting CO2 emissions. The Racer also aims to demonstrate how its particular architecture can contribute to lowering its operational acoustic footprint.

The Racer builds upon the aerodynamic configuration validated by the Airbus Helicopters X3 technology demonstrator which, back in 2013, broke the speed record and pushed the limits for a helicopter by reaching 472 km/h. While the aim of the X3 was to validate the compound architecture, combining fixed wings for energy efficient lift, lateral rotors for energy-efficient propulsion and a main rotor that provides energy-efficient VTOL flight capacity, the Racer aims to take the compound formula closer to an operational configuration and to offer increased capabilities for certain missions for which high speed can be a real advantage.

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UK Ministry of Defence orders more H145 helicopters

The UK Ministry of Defence has ordered a further six Airbus H145 helicopters as the next step in renewing its rotary fleet and cutting the number of different types in service.

The new aircraft will be deployed to Cyprus primarily for emergency response duties and to Brunei to support UK military training in jungle warfare and will replace Airbus Pumas currently performing those roles.

Airbus Helicopters in the UK Managing Director Lenny Brown said: “We congratulate the MoD on this smart acquisition which simultaneously provides the right-sized helicopter for the Cyprus and Brunei requirements, represents excellent value for the UK taxpayer, and is another key step in the rationalisation of types in the transport helicopter fleet.”

“The H145 Jupiter, and its sister H135 Juno, continue to demonstrate exceptional reliability and versatility in the training role in the Military Flying Training System (MFTS) and will bring these crucial attributes to their new tasks.”

The new helicopters will be delivered next year and will serve in parallel with 29 H135s and seven H145s in the Defence Helicopter Flying School which trains all UK military pilots as part of MFTS at RAF Shawbury. The enlarged H145 fleet brings economies of support costs and substantially reduces pilot conversion training time.

The latest version of Airbus’ best-selling H145 adds an innovative five-bladed rotor to the multi-mission H145, increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 150 kg. The simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design eases maintenance operations, improves serviceability and reliability, and enhances flight comfort for both passengers and crew.

Worldwide there are more than 1,675 H145 family helicopters in service, with a total of more than 7.6 million flight hours. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix digital avionics suite. It includes a high performance 4-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class, while its CO2 emissions are the lowest among its competitors.

The Helionix avionics generate significant savings in pilot training due to commonality between different Airbus types including the H135 and H175M.

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Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has placed an additional order for three H225 helicopters

Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has placed an additional order for three H225 helicopters, taking its total H225 fleet up to 18. The largest Super Puma operator in Japan received three H225s in December 2023 and one in February 2024 for its growing fleet. The new helicopters will support territorial coastal activities, maritime law enforcement, as well as disaster relief missions in the country.

“The Japan Coast Guard has been an active operator of the Super Puma family helicopters for three decades. This follow-on order demonstrates the customer’s confidence in our products and the dedicated support to their fleet,” said Jean-Luc Alfonsi, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Japan. “We believe the H225 is the perfect choice for JCG’s critical missions for law enforcement, as well as coastal and island protection, given its versatility in all weather conditions. We are committed to fully supporting its existing fleet, as well as its upcoming deliveries, ensuring high availability for its operations.”

Robinson Helicopter Co is celebrating 45 years of the R22.......

Generations of Pilots Learn to Fly in a Robinson R22

Robinson Helicopter Company, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of civil helicopters, celebrates the 45th anniversary of its iconic two-seat R22 helicopter. 

On March 16, 1979, Robinson received FAA certification for the R22, which has been enshrined in the Smithsonian Museum since September 2004.

With a legacy of accessibility, reliability, and versatility, the R22 revolutionized the personal helicopter market. Many of the world's rotorcraft pilots and flight schools begin their journeys in an R22. This versatile helicopter equips pilots with the critical skills and foundation necessary for a thriving career in aviation. (Watch Climb Higher Video – It All Starts in an R22)

From flight training to agricultural work, and wildlife management to surveying, Robinson helicopters have become synonymous with how tough missions are accomplished. With nearly 30 million hours flown globally (according to RHC estimates), the R22 has solidified its position as one of the best-selling civil rotorcrafts in the world. More than 80 R22s that are over 40 years old are still in service.

UK orders long-range Chinook helicopters

Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinooks

The new helicopters will have double the range of the existing Chinooks in service among the UK Armed Forces

Britain’s heavy-lift capability will be bolstered with the purchase of 14 extended-range Chinooks (CH47-ER), which will pump an estimated £151 million into the UK economy.

14 state-of-the art Chinook helicopters to provide versatile heavy-lift capability over double the range of a standard Chinook.

Programme now confirmed to bring in an estimated £151 million of extra investment to UK economy.

UK companies will produce components critical for manufacturing and maintaining the helicopters.

The new Chinooks significantly enhance the UK’s strategic mobility with its ability to operate in challenging environments. From the desert to the arctic, the helicopter has double the range of a standard Chinook and is capable of air-to-air refuelling, with the ability to carry up to 55 personnel or 10,000 kg of cargo.

With a top speed of 300 kilometres per hour, the new helicopters will have a range of new capabilities, including an advanced digital cockpit and a modernised airframe to increase stability and survivability.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced the commitment to proceed with the contract after meeting crew members from one of the Chinooks in the Royal Air Force’s existing fleet.

Through successful negotiations between MOD’s procurement arm - Defence Equipment & Support - and the US Government, the UK has reduced costs for elements of the programme by more than £300 million, ensuring value for money whilst providing our armed forces with a cutting-edge heavy lift capability.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Procuring these Chinook helicopters will mark a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise and enhance the agility of the UK Armed Forces, cementing our ability to respond at pace to situations and threats across the globe.

The Chinook is one of our most iconic aircraft, having been operated in every major conflict since the Falklands War. Delivering on this deal not only enhances our capability, but will boost UK industry and skills."

The Defence Secretary also visited Poland yesterday and met his counterpart to discuss international support for Ukraine, and made a further visit to meet British troops currently exercising in Poland. 

UK orders 14 more Chinook helicopters....

Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinooks

The new helicopters will have double the range of the existing Chinooks in service among the UK Armed Forces

Britain’s heavy lift capability will be bolstered with the purchase of 14 extended-range Chinooks (CH47-ER), which will pump an estimated £151 million into the UK economy.

14 state-of-the art Chinook helicopters to provide versatile heavy-lift capability over double the range of a standard Chinook.

Programme now confirmed to bring in an estimated £151 million of extra investment to UK economy.

UK companies will produce components critical for manufacturing and maintaining the helicopters.

The new Chinooks significantly enhance the UK’s strategic mobility with its ability to operate in challenging environments. From the desert to the arctic, the helicopter has double the range of a standard Chinook and is capable of air-to-air refuelling, with the ability to carry up to 55 personnel or 10,000 kg of cargo.

With a top speed of 300 kilometres per hour, the new helicopters will have a range of new capabilities, including an advanced digital cockpit and a modernised airframe to increase stability and survivability.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced the commitment to proceed with the contract after meeting crew members from one of the Chinooks in the Royal Air Force’s existing fleet.

Through successful negotiations between MOD’s procurement arm - Defence Equipment & Support - and the US Government, the UK has reduced costs for elements of the programme by more than £300 million, ensuring value for money whilst providing our armed forces with a cutting-edge heavy lift capability.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Procuring these Chinook helicopters will mark a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise and enhance the agility of the UK Armed Forces, cementing our ability to respond at pace to situations and threats across the globe.

The Chinook is one of our most iconic aircraft, having been operated in every major conflict since the Falklands War. Delivering on this deal not only enhances our capability, but will boost UK industry and skills."

The Defence Secretary also visited Poland yesterday and met his counterpart to discuss international support for Ukraine, and made a further visit to meet British troops currently exercising in Poland. 

Standards for helicopter landing areas at hospitals report released by CAA

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority has published a new report designed to help health authorities, hospitals and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) operators adhere to design standards for helicopter landing areas at hospitals. 

Air Ambulance Helicopters form an essential part of the UK’s pre-hospital response to patients suffering life-threatening injuries or illnesses. It is estimated that every day about 70 patients are treated using helicopters operating in the air ambulance role to helicopter landing sites (HLSs) located at hospitals in the United Kingdom. 

These HLSs are routinely provided at hospitals for the transfer of critically ill patients by air ambulance helicopters and by helicopters operating in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) role with facilities varying in complexity from a purpose-built structure on a rooftop above the emergency department (ED), with integral aeronautical lighting and fire-fighting systems, to an occasional use recreational / sports field remotely located from the ED perhaps only equipped with an “H” and a windsock present.

The primary purpose of this latest report is to promulgate in detail the design requirements and

range of options for new heliports located at hospitals in the United Kingdom that can also be applied for the refurbishment of existing helicopter landing sites. In all cases heliport design guidance is based on the international standards and recommended practices in ICAO Annex 14 Volume II with the supporting Document 9261 “Heliport Manual”. However, given the pivotal role of an HLS at a hospital for supporting the (often complex) clinical needs of the patient, it is equally important that the design of the heliport places, at its heart, the needs of the patient who is often critically ill. Consequently, the design of a heliport needs to ensure that it is both ‘safe and friendly’ for helicopter operations, and, given the clinical needs of the patient, that its proximity to the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) affords rapid patient transfer and avoids the complication of a secondary transfer by land ambulance. Patient transfer from the HLS to the ED should be expedited in a manner that upholds both the dignity and security of the patient and the safety and security of staff tasked to complete the transfer of the patient to ED, potentially in all weather conditions.

Standards for helicopter landing areas (caa.co.uk)

The report addresses the design requirements and options for new heliports located at hospitals in the United Kingdom. The requirements relate to new build facilities or to the refurbishment of landing sites at both existing and new hospitals. As well as setting out in detail the design requirements for hospital heliports, this CAP also provides guidance on their operation and management.

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Columbia Helicopters names David Balevic as President & CEO

Columbia Helicopters announced this week that David Balevic has been appointed President & CEO, effective immediately. Balevic will succeed Michael Tremlett, who is departing the company to pursue other opportunities.

Columbia Helicopters is a global leader in the heavy and super heavy-lift helicopter sector, with a more than 60-year track record of innovation, technological firsts, and industry milestones. The Company manufactures, provides sustainment services for, and operates the Model 234, CH-47D Chinook, and Model 107-II tandem-rotor helicopters. The Company’s principal customers include the U.S. military, foreign allied militaries, U.S. and foreign civil protection agencies, and a broad range of commercial customers.

Balevic brings more than 35 years of leadership experience across the aviation industry to Columbia. He previously spent eight years at CHC Helicopter, where he served as the Senior Vice President for Engineering & Operations before being promoted to President & CEO in August 2019. During his tenure, Balevic oversaw all aspects of the business, including aircraft flight operations, supply chain, and the global MRO services. Additionally, Balevic has over two decades of experience at GE in their Aircraft Engine, Power, and Oil & Gas business units.

Airbus Helicopters and SKYCO Leasing sign for six H175 helicopters

Airbus Helicopters and SKYCO International Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., a state-owned enterprise belonging to China's Guangdong Province, have signed a contract for six H175 helicopters.

Entrusted by the Guangdong Provincial Government, SKYCO Leasing is in charge of leading the aviation industry development in the province. The versatile H175 helicopters acquired by SKYCO Leasing will be deployed by the Guangdong Government for search and rescue, emergency medical services, disaster relief and other public services missions in China.

“This cooperation goes far beyond the purchase of helicopters. It is an unmistakable sign of Guangdong Province's willingness to lead the development of the helicopter market in the southern region of China. We are proud that the Guangdong Provincial Government has chosen Airbus Helicopters to carry out this ambitious cooperation project together,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

On top of the helicopter purchase, the parties have agreed on the reinforcement of Airbus Helicopters’ footprint in China Guangdong Province and the Greater Bay Area in close collaboration with SKYCO Leasing. This includes the joint development of support and services activities and an industrial cooperation setup to lay a solid foundation for the development of general aviation by promoting the reform to open low-altitude airspace. The partnership will also explore an effective business model adapted to the Chinese aviation market that will contribute to regional economic growth.

In service since 2015, Airbus' H175 belongs to the super-medium class of helicopters, combining long-range and payload with smooth flight qualities, making it the optimal solution for a wide range of onshore and offshore mission profiles, including disaster relief, search & rescue and other public services, as well as crew change and private and business aviation. The 55 H175s currently in service have accumulated more than 210,000 flight hours, of which 184,000 in the energy sector.

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CityAirbus NextGen makes its debut

                                           Airbus has presented its full electric CityAirbus NextGen prototype to the public, ahead of its maiden flight later this year. The two-tonne class CityAirbus, with a wing span of approximately 12 metres, is being developed to fly with a 80 km range and to reach a cruise speed of 120 km/h, making it perfectly suited for operations in major cities for a variety of missions. 

The unveiling coincided with the opening of the new CityAirbus test centre in Donauwörth, which will be dedicated to testing systems for electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs). The centre, which is part of Airbus’ ongoing and long-term investment in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), began its operations with the CityAirbus NextGen’s power-on in December 2023 and it will be now used for the remaining tests required before the prototype’s maiden flight later in the year. These tests cover the electric motors with their eight rotors as well as the aircraft’s other systems such as flight controls and avionics.

No technical faults found in preliminary investigation of S-76 Norway crash.

No technical faults have been found on the Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S-92  that was involved in a crash in Norway at the end of last month, investigators report.

The bulk of the helicopter was recovered on 1st March along with the flight recorders which were sent to the UK's Civil Aviation Authority. They have since been downloaded successfully according to the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) which confirmed the investigation is continuing.  

The NSIA warned the investigation was still at an early stage, advising it was “too early to draw any conclusions” however, thus far it “has not observed any technical fault which contributed to the accident”. The NSIA added, “We have downloaded data and it is currently being analysed. We have had interviews with some of the crew from the helicopter,”.

The accident happened during a training search and rescue flight, approximately 15 nautical miles west of Bergen, Norway.  The helicopter, registration LN-OIJ, was operating with six crew members onboard at the time of the incident. One fatality was confirmed on the day of the crash and the other five crew members have suffered varying levels of injuries. 

Bristow Helicopters stated "Our thoughts are with all those affected during this incredibly difficult period. At this time, the full resources of Bristow’s incident response team are being mobilized. The company is in the process of contacting and providing assistance to family members of those onboard and fully cooperating with authorities responding to the incident. Our highest priority is to take care of our crew and their family members and provide them with any assistance needed."

Flight Global reports that images of the wreckage indicate the main rotor and tail rotor were spinning at the time of impact. The S-92 was fitted with automatic floats which should deploy in events of this kind, however, images of LN-OIJ show these floats had not deployed.

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Airbus Helicopters wraps up Heli-Expo 2024 with 155 commitments

Airbus Helicopters wraps up the 2024 edition of Heli-Expo with 155 commitments, including 40 firm orders, from customers worldwide for a variety of its multi-mission helicopters.

Major highlights included a historic contract with THC for up to 120 helicopters of various types, with a firm order for 8 H125s and 10 H145s as part of the agreement. Airbus Helicopters continued to position itself as the leader on the helicopter emergency medical services market with the H145 for THC and up to 10 H145s for DRF Luftrettung. U.S. operator HealthNet Aeromedical Services added four H135s to its all-Airbus fleet.

The Canadian tour operator Niagara Helicopters added six H130s and Bristow placed an order for up to 15 H135s for the growing energy market. Airbus Helicopters and LCI announced two partnerships strengthening their long-standing relationship, one to explore the advanced air mobility (AAM) market and the other to address long-term capacity, sustainability and financing requirements of the industry.

Niagara Helicopters renews fleet with order for six Airbus H130 helicopters

Niagara Helicopters has placed an order for six H130 helicopters, confirming a full fleet renewal for the tourism company based in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Each year, the company welcomes more than 100,000 customers from all over the world, providing a nine minute, 27 kilometre sightseeing tour over Niagara Falls.

“In order to continue to deliver a first-class visitor experience, we felt it was time to upgrade our aircraft,” says Denis Pilon, Chief Operating Officer for Niagara Helicopters. “After nearly 10 years of working with Airbus Helicopters, we are confident that the H130 continues to be the ideal aircraft for our operation. We are pleased to be working with the Airbus team again. We look forward to many more years of cooperation and collaboration.”

“We’re honoured that Niagara Helicopters has once again put their trust in Airbus, as they work to deliver exceptional experiences for visitors to the Niagara region,” says Dwayne Charette, President and COO of Airbus Helicopters in Canada. “They are an esteemed partner and we are delighted they have chosen Airbus as their exclusive helicopter provider since 2015.”

Air Center Helicopters signs Airbus HCare services contract for H225 fleet

Air Center Helicopters, has signed an Airbus HCare In-Service contract to support their fleet of 18 H225 helicopters for the next five years. ACHI uses the versatile H225 aircraft to carry out a wide range of missions across the globe, including but not limited to expeditionary airlift, personnel recovery, search and rescue, medevac/casevac, Department of Defense real world scenario training, ship-based services, and disaster relief.

“We are proud to support ACHI’s critical missions, and we’re pleased they have seen great value in our HCare support and opted to upgrade their agreement,” said Romain Trapp, Executive Vice President Customer Support and Services for Airbus Helicopters. “We are committed to providing ACHI and all of our customers with reliable support and services, so they can continue operating efficiently.”

The full-by-the-hour (FBH) programme provides ‘tip to tail’ replacement coverage of components and is paid at a fixed rate per flight hour. This results in decreased aircraft downtime and more stable maintenance expenses for ACHI. ACHI was previously supported by Airbus through HCare parts-by-the-hour contracts for 10 of its aircraft, as announced in 2019.

THC expands its fleet with a firm order for eight H125s and ten H145s

THC expands its fleet with a firm order for eight H125s and ten H145s

The Helicopter Company (THC), Saudi Arabia's premier provider of commercial helicopter services and fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, has signed a historic framework agreement with Airbus at the HAI Heli-Expo, currently taking place at Anaheim Convention Center, California.

The framework agreement will include up to 120 Airbus helicopters of various types set to be delivered over the next five to seven years. Part of the deal is a firm order for eight H125s along with 10 H145s that are converted options from an earlier contract, bringing THC’s total firm Airbus helicopter fleet to 60, 25 of which are already in service today.

The new H125 helicopters will support the delivery of THC’s range of services in areas including aerial work and tourism. The H145s will be used in a variety of roles including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and corporate transport.

“Our relationship with THC started in 2020 with the first contract for 10 H125s. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength, moving beyond just helicopters to also look at how we can help pave the way for the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the region. This latest framework agreement reinforces the scope of our offering and we thank THC for allowing us to help expand their helicopter activity,” said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO.

The CEO of THC, Capt Arnaud Martinez, said, “We are delighted to announce our framework agreement with Airbus, a transformative moment in our growth journey which solidifies our position as a global player as well as regional leader. The agreement will enable us to both contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals through strengthening Saudi’s aviation sector whilst also meeting the changing needs of our growing customer base, both locally and globally. Our collaboration with Airbus will reshape the aviation landscape as together, we will push the boundaries of innovation and showcase that with the right partner, everything is possible in aviation.”

Airbus Helicopters and LCI unveil new Flight Path partnership

LCI, a leading aviation company, and Airbus Helicopters have unveiled a new Flight Path partnership, which will address the long-term capacity, sustainability and financing requirements of the industry. 

Airbus predicts demand for over 16,000 new helicopters by 2041, with a combined value approaching $130 billion. The new partnership will see LCI and Airbus Helicopters leveraging their combined knowledge, experience and analytical capabilities to identify the infrastructure and financial innovations that will address this demand. 

Flight Path builds upon a 20-year relationship between the companies, which most recently culminated in a collaboration agreement to develop advanced air mobility ecosystems around the CityAirbus Next Gen programme.  Going forward, it will also include investment in further helicopter units, types and technologies, with a growing emphasis around sustainability.

Jaspal Jandu, CEO of LCI, says: “This strategic partnership between LCI and Airbus signals our collective commitment to deliver long-term, sustainable capacity solutions to the market. The combination of Airbus’ long-standing expertise in business development, forecasting and planning, with LCI’s track record in leasing, investing and financial innovation, will enable us to sustainably address the multibillion dollar requirements of the market.”

Bristow Helicopters to order up to 15 H135s from Airbus Helicopters.

Airbus Helicopters and Bristow Group announced a framework contract for up to fifteen H135 helicopters (five firm orders, plus 10 options) during this year’s HAI Heli-Expo. The delivery of the first helicopter is scheduled for October 2024.

“I’d like to thank the Bristow Group for their renewed trust in our helicopters. Airbus Helicopters and Bristow Group share a long history, and I am very proud to open a new chapter in our partnership”, said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H135 has proven it's perfect for offshore missions with customers all over the world, especially thanks to Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite, which reduces pilot workload and increases safety."

“Our longstanding relationship with Airbus, coupled with our extensive experience operating the H135 since 2006, underscores the helicopter’s exceptional performance and reliability,” said Stu Stavley, Chief Operating Officer, Offshore Energy Services for Bristow Group. “The H135 has proven itself to be a very capable helicopter, both for missions offshore and overland.”

DRF Luftrettung orders up to 10 additional H145s

German helicopter emergency medical services operator DRF Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters have announced orders for up to ten H145 helicopters (seven firm orders, three options). 

“It is the mission of DRF Luftrettung to continuously improve medical care for people in need. With the new order of ten additional H145s, we continue to ensure the optimal service for our patients by keeping the helicopter fleet as modern and flexible as possible for our life-saving missions,” said Dr. Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung.

"As an operator that deploys its fleet for emergency medical services, the DRF Luftrettung truly understands the importance that a helicopter's performance can have in making a decisive difference in the care a patient receives. We are therefore very grateful for the continued trust that they place in our helicopters," said Thomas Hein, Head of Europe Region at Airbus Helicopters. "We are proud to see that over the last decade the H145 has become the backbone of DRF Luftrettung's fleet performing life-saving missions in Germany and Europe."

The ordered helicopters will also be covered by DRF’s fleet-wide HCare Smart contract, which provides comprehensive parts-by-the-hour support.

HealthNet Aeromedical Services expands fleet with order of four Airbus H135 helicopters

HealthNet Aeromedical Services, headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, will soon expand its all-Airbus fleet with the addition of four H135 helicopters. As one of the largest hospital-based air medical programmes in the country, the helicopters will be used to serve adult, pediatric and neonatal patients across the state of West Virginia. 

“HealthNet has been a valued partner of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. since 1986, and we look forward to supporting their mission as they elevate their fleet with the addition of four new H135s,” said Bart Reijnen, President of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and Head of the North America region. “These helicopters will be the first in their fleet equipped with Helionix avionics, allowing for increased mission flexibility and safety that benefits their employees and the communities they serve.”

Airbus’ light, twin-engine H135 incorporates the most advanced technologies available, including Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite, which, in addition to the 4-axis autopilot, offers an innovative cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness. Designed with three large electronic displays, the H135’s cockpit is night vision goggle compatible and includes a First Limit Indicator, which highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.

Airbus and Bristow Group announce framework contract for up to 15 H135 helicopters

Airbus Helicopters and Bristow Group announced a framework contract for up to fifteen H135 helicopters (five firm orders, plus 10 options) during this year’s HAI Heli-Expo. The delivery of the first helicopter is scheduled for October 2024.

“I’d like to thank the Bristow Group for their renewed trust in our helicopters. Airbus Helicopters and Bristow Group share a long history, and I am very proud to open a new chapter in our partnership”, said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H135 has proven it's perfect for offshore missions with customers all over the world, especially thanks to Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite, which reduces pilot workload and increases safety."

“Our longstanding relationship with Airbus, coupled with our extensive experience operating the H135 since 2006, underscores the helicopter’s exceptional performance and reliability,” said Stu Stavley, Chief Operating Officer, Offshore Energy Services for Bristow Group. “The H135 has proven itself to be a very capable helicopter, both for missions offshore and overland.”