From major tourist destinations to the busy airspace over cities, the single-engine H130 (previously known as the EC130 T2) is in widespread use with sightseeing services, charter operators and emergency medical services, among others.
Solid roots
The H130 is a member of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, which represents 44 percent of Airbus’ in-service fleet and has accumulated more than 34 million flight hours worldwide.
Aircraft
A safe, silent, and comfortable ride
The H130 is an intermediate single-engine helicopter tailored for passenger transport, sightseeing and VIP duties, as well as medical airlift and surveillance missions. As a multi-role rotorcraft, the H130 has a spacious cabin for one pilot and up to seven passengers. Depending on the configuration, it can carry up to two pilots, one stretcher and three to four medical crew.
Other H130 enhancements include an Active Vibration Control System and advanced environmental control; improved air conditioning; a cabin interior structure redesign with a full flat floor; a cockpit update for an enhanced man-machine interface integrating a glass cockpit Garmin G500H with SVS and HTAWS; energy-absorbing seats and integration of a crash-resistant fuel system.
A quiet and powerful operator
As the quietest helicopter on the market in its category, the H130’s Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor and automatic variable rotor speed control contribute to its significantly reduced external sound level.
With a noise signature 6 dB below ICAO limits, it is quieter than the most restrictive limits defined by the Grand Canyon National Park in the United States – a recognised benchmark for eco-friendly tourism operations.
The Safran Arriel 2D turbine engine includes a new generation dual channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system with a third independent and automatic back-up channel.
Modern and reliable
The H130 incorporates state-of-the-art technologies, materials, systems and avionics, building on the proven experience of Airbus’ Ecureuil rotorcraft family.
This user-friendly helicopter is pleasant and easy for pilots to fly. The Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD), integrated in the instrument panel, reduces the pilot’s workload considerably, thus enhancing flight safety.
The H130 is fully equipped with a VFR day-and-night navigation system in a standard “ready to fly” package, associated with a GPS map display.
An unmatched rotor system
The H130’s main and tail rotor systems incorporate proven Airbus technologies for performance, ruggedness, reliability and safety.
The composite main rotor blades are highly resistant to impact damage and corrosion, and have a long service life.
Airbus’ signature Fenestron® tail rotor is easy to maintain. Its shrouded design reduces vulnerability to impact damage, enhances safety for ground personnel working in the rotorcraft’s vicinity, and contributes to the H130’s very low external sound level.
Easy to maintain
Wherever you operate, a member of Airbus’ worldwide service network is nearby to provide the support you need to keep your H130 flying.
This network includes 29 customer centres and affiliate sites; more than 100 distributors, representatives, training centres, repair and overhaul facilities and maintenance centres, as well as logistics hubs in France, China, and Germany.
Airbus is at customers’ service from technical support, component repair and overhaul to spare parts support, technical publications and training. The H130’s simple design, use of composite materials and the experience drawn from Airbus’ mature Ecureuil family contribute to reduced maintenance costs and a high availability rate.
Advanced technologies integrated in the helicopter help pilots and technicians with their daily maintenance tasks, including access to maintenance data recorded by the Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display.
See the HCare Services section for more information about services at Airbus Helicopters.
Missions
Tourism: a premium flight experience
As one of the quietest helicopters in the skies, the H130 sets the standard for tourism operations worldwide. Its very low sound level is 6 dB below the ICAO requirement and remains quieter than the most restrictive limits defined for flights over national parks, wildlife reservations and urban areas.
The wide, unobstructed cabin can accommodate the pilot and up to seven passengers, providing outstanding visibility through a large wrap-around windscreen and wide windows.
With the open-space cabin, passengers aboard can enjoy spectacular views from their forward-facing seats. Rear passengers are comfortably seated on a raised theatre-style platform.
On top of ample cabin room and panoramic seating, the Active Vibration Control System and improved air conditioning contribute to the H130’s unbeatable level of comfort. The H130 also offers the most economical operational cost per seat in its class.
Your emergency medical services partner
Due to its exceptional cabin size and dedicated medical configuration, the H130 is considered the single-engine helicopter of reference for air ambulance missions. The wide and unobstructed cabin with large sliding doors enables easy loading and unloading of stretchers. Doctors and paramedics have plenty of space to take care of patients during flight and have full access on every side of the patient during flight.
The low internal sound level, low vibration level and bright cabin serve to reassure the patient and passengers, and contribute to the comfort of those on board. The flat cabin floor offers a suitable environment to install both sensitive and bulky medical equipment. Depending on the configuration, the aircraft can accommodate two pilots, one stretcher, and up to three medical crew members.
Airbus’ Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor enhances safety in flight, and when manoeuvring close to obstacles, while adding a level of security for people, personnel and patients while on the ground.
Private and business aviation
To differentiate its approach to private and business aviation, Airbus Helicopters has introduced Airbus Corporate Helicopters – ACH – its exclusive offer providing an end-to-end service-based ownership experience.
ACH provides an exclusive platform from which customers can experience best-in-class corporate and VIP transport solutions, tailored completion and service. ACH ensures that only the highest quality materials and the best craftsmanship are on offer to customers.
Please visit the dedicated website to find out more about ACH and the new ACH130 Aston Martin Edition.Visit the ACH website
Aerial work
The H130’s high performance level makes this helicopter suitable for a full range of aerial work missions.
When using the new sling with a 1,500-kg load capacity, the pilot benefits from excellent visibility – even in long-line operations. During cargo transportation, the large cabin accommodates wide loads, while the H130 remains remarkably stable thanks to the design of its landing gear and large horizontal stabiliser.
The Fenestron® contributes to the helicopter’s excellent handling qualities while preventing the tail rotor blades from hitting obstacles when landing or manoeuvring in confined areas. This proven shrouded tail rotor also provides additional safety for people on the ground.
Technical Description
Configurations
Six seats for passenger transport
The single pilot and six passenger configuration is ideal for passenger transport, private and business aviation and VIP travel. Rear-facing “club seating” can be installed to create an arrangement favourable for work or conversation.
Seven seats for tourism flights
The single pilot and seven passenger layout is conducive to high-volume tourism flights, with passengers facing forward and seated on a raised theatre-style platform for maximum access to exterior views.