Airbus Helicopters has received certification for the H160 helicopter from the FAA, positioning it for entry into the US market.
"We are pleased to receive FAA certification for the H160, which is testament to many years of hard work and commitment from our teams in order to deliver this multirole helicopter to the customers in North America who have already placed their trust in the H160," says CEO Bruno Even. "This aircraft features the highest level of innovation, and we are confident that its advanced capabilities, along with our strong customer support network, will solidify its position as the preferred choice for customers in the US."
The H160 is a revolutionary medium-class rotorcraft that sets a new benchmark in terms of safety, comfort and environmental performance. It features cutting-edge technologies such as noise-reducing Blue Edge rotor blades, a canted Fenestron tail rotor for greater useful load and Helionix avionics for reduced pilot workload.
The H160 previously received certification from EASA in July 2020 and has proven to be a popular choice for customers across the globe. Airbus Helicopters has received orders for more than 100 H160s from customers around the world, including more than a dozen from US customers. The H160 has entered service in Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Europe and the fleet has accumulated more than 1,700 flight hours.
The H160 is a multi-role helicopter with exceptional range, speed and efficiency. Plans have been underway for several years to ensure a smooth entry into service, including the addition of North America's first H160 level D full flight simulator. The FFS is expected to be ready for use as early as the second half of 2025 and will be located at the Helisim simulation centre inside the Airbus Helicopters facility in Grand Prairie, Texas.