Airbus Helicopters has received FAA certification for the H160 helicopter, positioning the aircraft 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,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “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 medium-class rotorcraft with technological features including noise-reducing Blue Edge rotor blades; a canted Fenestron tail rotor designed for greater useful load; and Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix avionics suite.
The H160 previously received EASA certification in July 2020 and Airbus Helicopters said the helicopter has proven to be a popular choice globally. The company 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 intended for a variety of missions, including offshore transportation for the energy industry; private and business aviation; emergency medical services; commercial passenger transport; and public services such as search and rescue and law enforcement.
Plans have been underway for several years to ensure a smooth entry-into-service for the H160, including the previously announced H160 level D full flight simulator (FFS). 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 Center inside the Airbus Helicopters facility in Grand Prairie, Texas.
