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Above and beyond: Airbus Tech Reps powering the H160’s U.S. debut

By General 4 Mins Read

In just one year, the Airbus H160 helicopters have become a prominent sight in North American skies, racking up over 1,500 flight hours. Contributing to this deployment were five dedicated Technical Representatives (Tech Reps), who stepped into action to ensure the helicopters were mission ready. A multi-layered support systemAirbus Tech Reps form the frontline of aircraft readiness, backed by a support structure designed for swift and effective problem-solving using a tiered approach.  Level 1: The first responders On-site Tech Representatives, such as Gregg Young, an H160 Avionics Regional Technical Representative, serve as crucial first points of contact for customers experiencing technical issues. “I act as a key liaison for providing expert support to both mechanical field representatives and customers operating the H160 throughout the U.S.,” said Young. His expertise lies in diagnosing and resolving intricate avionics and electrical issues, ensuring that the aircraft performs optimally.Young follows a meticulous process: he gathers detailed information from the customer, reviews relevant technical documentation, assesses the severity of the issue, and offers initial guidance. If necessary, he travels to the customer’s location to provide hands-on support. “My primary focus is to deliver prompt, accurate, and professional support,” said Young.Level 2: The central role of the Product Support Manager.  For issues demanding wider coordination, the H160 Product Support Manager (PSM), Robert Way, serves as the central point of contact. Utilizing global insights from Airbus’ digital data and worldwide network, Robert reviews the technical events, identifying the affected system, and ensuring information is clear before any necessary escalation.  Oftentimes, a simple answer is provided.  When more information is needed, Robert seeks out an expert for clarification.  It’s this approach that successfully resolves many questions.Level 3: Deep expertise for complex challenges For highly complex issues, particularly with dynamic components, Level 3 experts like Ala Ramadan step in. “If some sort of escalation happens in the field and they need more help, particularly in the dynamic component area, I can help based on my experience,” said Ramadan. Level 3 experts analyze the issue, always prioritizing safety, and may consult original design drawings to determine the best course of action, ensuring comprehensive solutions.  

The digital edge: revolutionizing H160 maintenanceThe H160 leads in digital maintenance, and its U.S. operations benefit significantly from these advanced systems, which provide real-time diagnostics, reduce downtime, and enhance efficiency.  “The advanced digital maintenance systems integrated into the H160, such as the WACS (Wireless Airborne Communication System), FlyScan, and the features within Helionix, have significantly transformed both my work and the overall maintenance process,” said Young.  WACS System: Enables real-time health monitoring and remote data access for quicker diagnostics.  FlyScan: Enhances troubleshooting with detailed flight data analysis.  Helionix Features: Improve situational awareness with easier access to avionics data. “Overall, these advanced tools have improved the accuracy and speed of maintenance operations, reduced downtime, and enhanced the overall reliability of the H160,” said Young. For instance, Helionix alerts allow proactive issue addressing via WACS post-flight, speeding up resolution through data sharing with remote experts.  “Technology has really played a big factor in our jobs and also in ensuring safety,” said Ramadan. “They allow you to contact somebody immediately for a second opinion.” The WebTech tool, standard since 2013, facilitates communication and stores valuable history. 

A partnership for successAirbus Tech Reps are true partners with helicopter operators, aiming to keep aircraft in optimal condition. “The partnership between Airbus Helicopters Tech Reps and customers plays a crucial role in the success of H160 operations,” said Young. This involves expert support, tailored solutions, continuous feedback, and operator training. Ramadan shared an instance of traveling to a customer to demonstrate a swash plate design’s safety, building trust through hands-on dedication.  The technicians’ work directly enables customers to perform critical, often life-saving, missions. “It’s really great when you know your aircraft is ready to be able to do a scene mission to rescue somebody,” said Ramadan. “It feels really great. I think anybody will be proud when they know they were involved in missions like this.” Way concurs, emphasizing the goal is always to “help the customers.”  

The unseen backbone of aviation safetyThe dedication of professionals like Gregg Young, Robert Way, and Ala Ramadan has been critical to the H160’s successful entry into North America, and will continue to be crucial as the aircraft enters into service in greater numbers. Their commitment, supported by digital tools, ensures the Airbus H160 operates at peak performance for essential missions. As Ramadan aptly states, “Teamwork is really the secret to succeed in any mission,” and for these technicians, “safety is number one, always.” Copyright Airbus Helicopters 2025

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UniFly Meeting

By General 1 Min Read

If you’re staying in the Drôme region this weekend, don’t miss the very first edition of this meeting, organized by…

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Meeting. Airexpo

By General 1 Min Read

The 2025 edition of Airexpo, France’s only student-organized meeting and the third-largest event of its kind in France, features a…

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Social media scam

By General 1 Min Read

These last few days, some social medias have displayed offers for “Dassault Aviation savings account” or “Dassault Aviation alternative equity…

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Rising to the occasion: getting the Airbus H140 ready to pass the test

By General 4 Mins Read

Airbus Helicopters’ German Chief Test Pilot, Volker Bau, is the person responsible for charting the H140’s flight path to certification. “There’s no space for emotions during flight tests,ˮ says Volker Bau and as one of Airbus Helicopters’ chief test pilots since 2011, he knows what he’s talking about. With 20 years of flight experience in the military followed by a flight test career now in its 25th year, the H140 campaign is the latest landmark in his career. “It’s definitely not another day at the office. It’s emotional when you come home, but before that, you’re very focused on the mission. It’s a kind of positive stress, you work in a team, you choose what you’re going to test and, as part of the team, you solve any problems.” 

Hot, high and coldFor every campaign, everything is meticulously planned. “We do a risk assessment for every flight, ˮ says Bau. “So if we do CAT A in high altitude by shutting down one engine and we can land safely, then we will carefully increase the weight of the aircraft and see how it operates under these new ‘conditions’. When we are on a campaign, there are around 10 people sitting in the briefing and debriefing to discuss the results and how we can improve, how we can change the rotor law, the rotor speed, the engines, the full authority digital engine control (FADEC).” The H140’s flight testing will focus on the helicopter’s performance in hot, high and cold conditions. “We have to go to environments where it is very cold: we are looking for -40°C or less,” explains Bau. “Where it’s hot: we are looking for +45°C or more. And for high altitudes that’s around 10,000 ft up to 20,000 ft.” 

The rigour that gets in rightOne thing that Bau emphasises is that the process is extremely thorough. “On this prototype, we always have telemetry. So, there are up to 10 people in a room monitoring everything. They see every movement you make; they see every input. They hear every voice, every word, and they comment on everything you do. You are monitored,” he emphasises. Whilst absolute rigour is essential to create the safest possible helicopter, it is also clearly beneficial to the quality of the product that will be on the market. This is due to the influence pilots have during flight test campaigns, providing feedback that is actioned. “The most challenging aspects are, naturally, working to test vital functions of the helicopter as safely as possible, working in this team and working to develop the most effective helicopter possible, for the operator to use later,” says Bau. “In the early days of testing the H145 I was not happy with where the engine knobs were and where the generator knobs were. So, I drafted on paper where I would like to have these knobs, gave it to the team and the next day I had the technical drawing. Today every helicopter that we sell has this installation of knobs. So yes, pilots have influence, and this is part of the challenge, to ultimately ensure that the operator can fulfil their mission optimally, efficiently and safely.” 

At the controls for the first flightWith a new cabin, T-tail, and Fenestron, the H140 is a brand-new helicopter and, as one of the first people to fly it, Bau is one of a select few who can describe how it flies. He is happy with the early results. “We had this stroke of genius on the H145 with these five-bladed rotors which reduced the vibrations to almost zero and we now see the exact same positive effect on the H140 with its five-bladed rotor,” he notes.

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Greece orders eight Airbus H215 helicopters to combat forest fires

By General 4 Mins Read

Athens, Greece, 30 April 2025 – Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with the Hellenic Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection for the purchase of eight H215 helicopters (with an option for two additional aircraft) to support the combat of wildfires in the country following a tender conducted by the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund (the National Fund of Greece) on behalf of the Ministry. This contract is supported by two European funds and aligns with the Ministry’s Aegis Programme aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Civil Protection forces. The contract will be based on a “government owned contractor operated” (GO-CO) model for which Airbus Helicopters will be partnering with experienced H215 firefighting operators, Airtelis and SAF Hélicoptères, for the technical and operational support. “The signing of the contract for the purchase of new H215 helicopters represents an important step in our efforts to mitigate the devastating consequences of the climate crisis in our country,” said Panagiotis Stampoulidis, Deputy CEO of Growthfund, about the significance of the project. “This is the largest contract signed under the ‘Aegis’ National Programme to bolster the Civil Protection mechanism in Greece with modern equipment, and we are delighted that the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund swiftly concluded this tender with transparency and efficiency.”  “Wildfires have burned on average three to five million square kilometres globally in recent years with significant environmental consequences. It is an honour to have been selected to support the combat, with our H215 helicopters, that Greek communities face every year,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H215 is used around the world for firefighting missions with its ability to drop more than four tonnes of water at a time. Relying on experienced operators, such as Airtelis and SAF Aerogroup, is exactly what the French Securité Civile does. Airbus Helicopters has been a long-standing provider of helicopters for essential missions in the country and together with our GO-CO partners, we are sure that the H215 will be a vital and reliable asset,” he added. SAF Aerogroup specialises in complex helicopter operations like mountain rescue, air medical services, firefighting, and humanitarian/logistic missions, demonstrated by their 2024 H215 RescEU deployment to Greece. The group also manages high-precision lifting, maintenance, and pilot/technician training, offering comprehensive high-value air services to governmental and international organisations. Similarly, Airtelis, a French operator based in the South of France with over 60 years of experience stemming from its parent company RTE, has broadened its focus beyond power grid support to include emergency response, notably firefighting, for a wider range of national and international clients.  Airbus Helicopters has been a long-standing partner in Greece since the early 2000s in both the civil and parapublic and military sectors. The Hellenic Fire Brigade operates two Super Pumas and the Hellenic Air Force operates 12 Super Pumas. The Super Puma ecosystem in the country will benefit from the support activities and training of technicians and pilots foreseen by the contract.The H215 is a multirole helicopter that is part of the Super Puma family with over 1,100 helicopters delivered and more than 6 million flight hours under its belt. The H215 is equipped with the H225’s renowned 4-axis autopilot which enables firefighting activities to be conducted at night as well as during the day. It is deployed around the world for firefighting missions thanks to its range of around 540 NM, superior endurance of more than two hours, and its ability to transport 19 firefighters. As one of the only heavy helicopters in production that is civil certified along with its ability to be equipped with either a water bucket or a belly tank, it is the ideal complement to any country’s firefighting assets. @AirbusHeli #H215 #MakingMissionsPossible

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New Airbus H160/H175 simulators for Brazil

By General 2 Mins Read

Athens, 24 April 2025 – Airbus has committed to providing full flight H160/H175 simulators for training in Brazil in 2028. The simulators will support the training needs for the growing energy sector in Latin America, demonstrating Airbus’ commitment to customer proximity and aviation safety. The H160/H175 full-flight simulators will have Level D training capabilities and will be qualified by ANAC, the Brazilian civil aviation authority. The latest Helionix version will be included in the simulator cockpits in compliance with the avionics systems of both helicopters. The simulators will also include OEM data packages, which provide the most accurate reproduction of a helicopter’s behavior – enhancing pilot readiness and operational safety.“Our customers spoke and we listened. We are extremely proud to reinforce our commitment to the Latin America region with the planned introduction of these full flight H160/H175 simulators, providing our customers with enhanced training capabilities closer to home. By staying close to our customers, we are not only supporting their operational needs and helping boost their growth trajectories, but also strengthening aviation safety across the region. This investment underscores our dedication to delivering world-class training solutions that help pilots and crews operate at the highest standards of excellence and safety,” said Romain Trapp, Executive Vice President Customer Support & Services at Airbus Helicopters.Brazil is already home to an Airbus Helicopters Simulation Academy located in Rio de Janeiro since 2015. This simulation centre has so far offered nearly 7,500 hours of simulation to almost 600 students. The new addition of the H160/H175 simulators in Brazil will multiply capacity in the region, cementing it as a major training hub in Latin America. The demand for medium helicopters in the energy sector over the next decade is expected to exceed 40 units in the Latin America region alone, doubling the number of medium helicopters currently in the region. Meanwhile, the first North American H160 Full Flight Simulator is expected to enter into service in 2026 in Grand Prairie, Texas, boosting training availability in the region. Airbus is currently exploring options to locate future H160 FFS in other growth areas such as Asia and Australia. @AirbusHeli #MakingMissionsPossible 

IMRBPB Annual Meeting 2025

By General 1 Min Read

IMRBPB Annual Meeting 2025 The IMRBPB aims at developing higher maintenance standards and improving safety in maintenance aspects. It allows…

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H140: finding the perfect balance on the cutting edge

By General 4 Mins Read

Airbus Helicopters’ latest helicopter has been designed to be high performance and highly efficient. Dr. Dirk Petry, Vice President H135 and H140 Programmes, explains how the programme arrived at the ideal blend. What were the key drivers for launching the Airbus H140?Dr. Dirk Petry: The major motivation is the clear market demand for efficient, high performance helicopters with larger cabins, low operating cost and an attractive acquisition price. The H140 meets this demand, providing a spacious cabin that can seat up to six passengers comfortably, in a helicopter that is easy to maintain. It is essentially an efficient, compact helicopter with an optimised cabin that performs well at altitude and in hot conditions as well. There is also a large replacement market for helicopters that are performing medical missions worldwide. The H140 is designed to perfectly meet the needs of these operators. Other helicopters offer a large cabin, but they are not optimally positioned in terms of operating cost or performance. We are bringing a product to the market which will offer a perfect combination of low operating cost, larger cabin and a better performance than its rivals. 

What is being introduced to the design of this helicopter that will ensure such a high performance?D.P.: Naturally, as it is a new helicopter, the H140 will benefit from design solutions, proven throughout the rest of the Airbus Helicopters range —and from our demonstrators such as Bluecopter. The most obvious examples are the T-shaped horizontal stabiliser, the new Fenestron design and the five-bladed rotor. What it will deliver to operators is an attractive ratio of useful load versus maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). It will be fast but with a smooth flight which will really make an impact for medical operators. Indeed, for our operators’ helicopter emergency medical service missions, the H140 will offer excellent rear-loading capability and a cabin that is the perfect size for their patients and crew—meaning a new standard in terms of the care that they can deliver. This means it will be easier to load patients onto the helicopter as well as allowing more complex intensive care missions. 

Will the Airbus H140 also deliver missions other than HEMS?D.P.: Yes, definitely. In keeping with the versatility of Airbus Helicopters’ range, the H140 will be a fully multi-mission helicopter. While we have designed a cabin with HEMS operators, like every Airbus helicopter, the H140 will feature the modularity necessary to perform a complete range of missions. As such, it is a multi-purpose helicopter, which can cover law enforcement, firefighting and ultimately all mission segments. Its large cabin, for example, will prove very interesting to the private business aviation sector. It is also well worth mentioning how seamlessly the cabin can be modified for different missions. It is designed to allow quick cabin conversions, so public service operators that fulfill a range of missions will have effortless transitions. For instance, in countries where the paramedic and firefighting services are conducted by one operator, this could be very useful.

How many people are working on the H140 programme?D.P.: There are several hundred people working on this project—across many sites. All the company is contributing to the development, production and support of this helicopter. In this context Airbus Helicopters’ site specialisation is playing a huge role. The final assembly line and the programme are based in Donauwörth (Germany) where the airframe is assembled and the airframe major component assembly is integrated as well; the dynamic components are being done in Marignane (France), Paris Le Bourget is supplying the main rotor blades and Albacete (Spain) is assembling the tail boom. This shows you the sheer scope of the project to design and deliver this helicopter. Thankfully we can count on an incredible team of colleagues to work together to do it.