The H160 opens a new chapter in the history of Airbus. Joining the helicopter product range between the H145 and the H175, this innovative medium helicopter is the first member of the H generation. The entire design was based on one overriding goal: to create added value for customers in terms of performance, economic competitiveness, safety, and comfort. With reduced fuel consumption and perceived sound, the H160 is cleaner, and quieter than others in its class, and and allows customers to take a step towards reducing their environmental footprint.
Mission ready
Configurations being developed include offshore transportation, commercial passenger transport, emergency medical services, business and private aviation (known as the ACH160), and public services. More about the ACH160
Aircraft
Innovation at your service
H160 is about breakthrough design, providing customers with the highest level of innovation, integrating as many as 68 different patents for a customer step change. The aircraft was developed using three prototypes and two test means, the dynamic helicopter zero and the system helicopter zero, to ensure the highest level of maturity ahead of entry into service.
The H160 comes with enhanced safety features and sets a new standard for passenger comfort. Innovations include Helionix avionics suite for reduced pilot workload, the canted Fenestron for greater useful load and a flat attitude, and sound reducing Blue Edge rotor blades for quieter operations.
Customers will also appreciate flying more comfortably with an increase in volume per passenger compared to other medium-twin helicopters, and larger windows, creating the brightest cabin in its class.
Safety enhancer
Simple and intuitive to operate, innovative features such as simplified pre-flight checks and two minute automatic start-up procedures, make the H160 very easy to fly and to maintain. Helionix’s accrued pilot assistance reduces crew workload, and the helicopter’s exceptional handling and external visibility contribute to greater situational awareness, enabling pilots to focus on the mission at hand.
Safety is also enhanced with the integration of the first ever computerised rotorcraft flight manual (C-RFM), providing the crew with essential information about the performance of the aircraft in accordance with the conditions of the day, the optional equipment, and the desired flight profile.
H160’s new automation modes also provide additional comfort to the pilots, enabling them to perform operations with greater ease. Equipped with the world’s first-ever ground helipad assisted take-off procedure, pilots will experience a secure and optimal helipad take-off, and benefit from a reduced workload and the risk of human error.
The vortex pre-alerting feature also increases safety by warning pilots when they enter flight conditions that could lead to a vortex ring state if they do not immediately take action. The H160 also includes a tail fin camera, Sea State 6 emergency floatation system and windows that exceed EASA Type IV emergency egress size requirements.
Enhanced support concept
3D technical publications and easy digital troubleshooting tools give maintenance technicians the information to maintain this aircraft to the highest standards, even far from the maintenance base.
Connected services, such as FleetKeeper, digital logcards, and Flight Planner, enable customers to manage their operations seamlessly.
Equipment locations have been optimised for accessibility, while easy access to the large upper deck, engine access through a firewall panel, and easy removal of engine and main gearbox cowlings are among the H160’s innovations.
With its light maintenance plan aligned between engine and aircraft, the H160 offers optimised operating costs and a new standard in availability.
Right economic balance
With low fuel consumption, optimized maintenance costs and faster cruise speed, the H160 paves the way in economic competitiveness compared to other helicopters in its class.
Fuel consumption is reduced by 15% compared to the previous class of engines for the same operations, while maintenance costs are reduced by nearly 15% on ‘airframe by the hour’ and ‘service by the hour’ options.
Missions
Offshore transportation
The 12-seater H160 can access a large number of offshore platforms thanks to its 15.7-metre D-value (largest dimension of the helicopter used for helideck assessment).
The H160 relies on an embedded monitoring system and a redundancy of sensors, and can be maintained autonomously far from base. When designing the H160, particular emphasis was placed on corrosion robustness, specifically for O&G missions over the sea.
The H160 goes beyond IOGP regulations with push out windows that exceed the type IV requirement and an emergency floatation system that is certified for Sea State 6 with irregular waves.
Offshore pilots will also appreciate the enhanced visibility in the cockpit as well as Rig’N Fly, an avionics enhancement designed to provide automatic rig approaches for offshore operations.
Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS)
With the largest cabin in its class, wide opening sliding door and positionable stretcher capacity, the H160 is the next generation high intensive care helicopter ideal for long distance critical patient or isolette transport.
The low level of vibration experienced even at maximum cruise speed, flat attitude, powerful air conditioning, and reduced downwash, ensure comfort during patient loading and unloading. Medical personnel also benefit from the comfort provided by the H160, with a spacious and fully-equipped cabin that allows them to access the patient and cabin cargo with ease.
Airbus works with a wide range of EMS outfitters for the interior cabin layout. Depending on the EMS kit, the cabin can accommodate several configurations, seating arrangements, stretcher models and medical material.
Public services
The H160 was designed to perform public services missions, such as search and rescue and law enforcement, with features that include hoist, cameras, loud speakers, an electro-optical system and human extraction capabilities along with additional equipment to facilitate the most demanding SAR missions. The cargo compartment is accessible from the large cabin, easing daily operations and the storage of equipment.
With unrivaled nose-up attitudes and unmatched cockpit visibility, the H160 is ideal for public service missions. In addition, its four-axis autopilot, and fast (less than two minutes) and reliable automatic starting sequence, answer the operator’s needs during critical operations.
Private and business aviation
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 ACH website to find out more.
Un4gettable: the H160 opens a new chapter in the history of Airbus.
Joining the helicopter product range between the H145 and the H175, this innovative medium helicopter is the first member of the H generation.
Technical Description
Configurations
Offshore transportation
12-passenger seating is made up of three rows of four seats. Possibility to install a stretcher in place of the center row.
Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS)
Depending on the EMS kit, the cabin can be arranged with one or two stretchers, in longitudinal or transversal positions.
Public services
Maritime search and rescue and aerial law enforcement arranged depending on customer needs
Private and business aviation
Can be configured for one to two pilots and up to ten passengers.