Airbus Helicopters subsidiary Helibras is flying an H145 on a tour of Brazilian cities as the country faces an economic and political crisis centered on state oil company Petrobras. According to Airbus Helicopters vice president Christian Fanchini, there are 140 confirmed orders for H145s and 25 of them have been handed over to customers since deliveries started in July. More than 80 percent of in-service H145s are in EMS, government and military roles, suggesting a target-rich market in Brazil, where civil aviation agency ANAC is processing the paperwork for certification.



Helibras sales and marketing vice president François Arnoud acknowledged Petrobras' current problems, but said, “Oil exploration will continue." He also pointed out that the H145's tolerance for extreme conditions—temperatures up to ISA+20, to a maximum of 50 degrees C—makes it suitable it for “in-shore exploration” in the vast Amazon region.



Arnoud is also enthusiastic about the public safety market for the new helicopter. “A decade ago, Brazilian police and fire departments had only the Esquilos [Helibras' name for the Écureuil]. By the end of this year, they'll be flying around 10 twin-turbine helicopters."



The tour schedule gives equal time to major cities Brasilia, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte and the small town of São Pedro de Aldeia, home of the Brazilian Navy's avation arm. A Helibras spokesman said that the Navy is evaluating the H145M in a project to find a dual-turbine substitute for its AS350/355 fleet. The Brazilian Navy was Helibras' first customer in 1979, when it purchased six Esquilos. The tour will include the LAAD defense and safety fair in Rio from April 14 to 17, as well as a visit to Peru.