Airbus’ twin-engine H160 helicopter has been granted certification by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
“We are excited about the H160 certification from CASA, which underscores Australia’s confidence and trust in our product,” stated Christian Venzal, Airbus Helicopters Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand.
He continued, “This achievement also paves the way to the aircraft’s entry into service in the country. The innovative H160 sets a new benchmark in terms of safety, comfort, and environmental performance. We look forward to seeing the first H160 gracing Australia’s sky soon!”
The H160 has already secured certifications from leading aviation authorities worldwide, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the US Federal Aviation Administration, Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, Transport Canada Civil Aviation, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, and most recently India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The aircraft is equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as noise-reducing Blue Edge rotor blades, a canted Fenestron tail rotor, and Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix avionics suite.
According to the firm, recent design enhancements have resulted in a 100 kg increase in payload capacity or an additional 60 nm of range, underscoring its adaptability to meet diverse operational needs.
The H160 also features an 18 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and a 50 per cent decrease in perceived sound.
Airbus said the H160 has garnered interest across key mission segments, including energy, private and business aviation, emergency medical services, search-and-rescue, law enforcement, and military applications.
With an existing fleet of 30 H160 helicopters deployed globally, including in countries like Brazil, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States of America, the H160 fleet has collectively logged over 5,000 flight hours in less than three years.
