Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

The third Airbus Helicopters H160 prototype (PT3) performed its maiden flight at the company’s headquarters in Marignane, France, on October 13. PT3 has a cabin interior configuration similar to that of a serial production aircraft and will join the flight-test program as the model continues its push for service entry anticipated for 2019.

 


“The third prototype incorporates a significant amount of modifications based on feedback resulting from the first two years of testing by development, production and support teams,” said Bernard Fujarski, Airbus Helicopters senior vice president and director of H160 program. “It plays an essential role in delivering a mature aircraft at entry into service and it is also closer to the serial definition with its interior lining and transport cabin configuration,” he said.

 


Airbus Helicopters said the first two prototypes have logged more than 500 flight hours since the model’s maiden flight in June 2015. In that time, the flight envelope has already been fully tested and the domain has been opened. The remaining development activity, for example complementary hot weather testing, antennas, and optional equipment will be done using all three aircraft.&nbsp;

 


The company added that the helicopter’s final assembly line in Marignane is in the last stages of preparation and will be ready to start serial production shortly. Customer support activities are being prepared in parallel thanks to the extensive involvement of maintenance teams, through the “operator zero campaign,” using the prototypes and test means to check and improve the maintenance plan, digital work cards and technical documentation and tooling ahead of actual operations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

 


The first version of the H160 slated to enter service in 2019 will be for commercial passenger transport configured for oil and gas, followed by an emergency medical services (EMS) version.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 


PT3 joined the test program after undergoing successful lightning indirect effect and power-on testing this summer. The three aircraft are augmented by two non-flying testbeds for dynamic and systems integration. The flight-test campaign for the medium-twin helicopter has thus far included cold weather and snow trials in Canada earlier this year and testing of components, including antennas and inlet barrier filters. Development and performance flights are continuing. To date, the H160 has achieved maximum cruise speeds up to 155 knots and flights beyond 400 nm. Final range is expected to “significantly” exceed that number, the company said. A spokesman said letters of intent for a number of the helicopters have already been signed and that Airbus Helicopters plans to announce launch customers by year-end.

 


The helicopter has an all-composite airframe, flat-floor cabin, oversized cabin windows and a baggage compartment that can hold 661 pounds. Its cabin can be configured to seat four or eight passengers in executive/VIP layouts or utility seating for 12. The H160 also incorporates a variety of new technologies, among them Blue Edge active tracking main rotor blades in a five-blade system with a double sweep design that reduces noise and makes the ride smoother and new Safran Arrano engines that offer 10 to 15 percent better fuel consumption.

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