Airbus Helicopters received EASA Part 29 certification in late April for the EC145 light twin, the new name of a utility, lower-cost version formerly referred to as the EC145e. More basic than the H145 (which features a Fenestron tail rotor and upgraded Turbomeca engines), the EC145 can carry an additional 322 pounds of payload compared with the previous utility variant of the same helicopter.

The EC145 incorporates a Garmin G500H avionics suite. One primary flight display and one multifunction display are situated in front of the pilot, while two more LCDs for aircraft parameter display and a touchscreen interface for the FMS are located to his left. Use of the G500H–usually found on smaller helicopters–frees up a large part of the left windshield, improving cockpit visibility. No automatic flight control system is available.

The EC145 is approved for single-pilot, day and night operation in visual flight rules (VFR). IFR operations are prohibited. The EC145 is designed with a basic standard interior for utility missions, from passenger transport (the standard layout seats eight) and fire-fighting to airlift missions, with both internal and external loads.

The EC145 first flew in August 2013. FAA certification is expected this summer. “It will be available with reduced delivery times,” said Manfred Merk, head of the H145 program at Airbus Helicopters. Certification was originally scheduled for last year.