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Airbus awards ‘Make in India’ H130 helicopter fuselage contract to Mahindra Aerostructures

By General 3 Mins Read

New Delhi, India, April 09, 2025 – Pursuing its strategic commitments to ‘Make in India’ and to promote the helicopter ecosystem in the country, Airbus Helicopters has awarded a contract for the manufacturing of the main fuselage assembly of the H130 helicopter to Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt. Ltd. in India. The contract was signed in the presence of Shri. Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Honourable Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, Shri. Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director of Airbus in India and South Asia, and Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO and Managing Director of the Mahindra Group.Mahindra will produce the H130’s main fuselage assembly, which will then be shipped to Airbus Helicopters’ facilities in Europe. Industrialisation will commence immediately, with the first cabin assembly scheduled for delivery by March 2027.“We have a strategic plan for India and we are implementing it to develop a holistic aerospace ecosystem across all dimensions: assembly, manufacturing, engineering, innovation, digital and training,” said Rémi Maillard, President and Managing Director Airbus India and South Asia. “The H130 fuselage manufacturing contract underscores Airbus’ confidence in the growing industrial excellence of the Indian supply chain, which offers the right mix of competencies and competitiveness. We are glad to extend this bond with India through our latest association with our partner Mahindra Aerostructures,” Maillard added.Mahindra already supplies a variety of parts and sub-assemblies for Airbus’ commercial aircraft programmes. The latest contract marks a significant milestone for Mahindra as it continues to expand its portfolio of capabilities from parts and sub-assemblies to larger and more complex aerostructures.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO and Managing Director of the Mahindra Group, said, “We are delighted to deepen our longstanding partnership with Airbus through this pivotal aerostructures contract. As a global leader, Airbus has played a transformative role in nurturing India’s aerospace ecosystem and showcasing it on the world stage. It is an honour for us to build on our proven track record with Airbus, harness our industrial process excellence, and embark on this new initiative. This collaboration highlights our commitment to supporting the Government of India’s flagship ‘Make in India’ program.”For Airbus, India is both a major market and a strategic resource hub. Today, every Airbus commercial aircraft has components and technologies made in India. Currently, Airbus’ annual procurement of components and services from India stands at $1.4 billion. Airbus’ efforts to mature the wider Indian aerospace ecosystem also includes the building of two Final Assembly Lines: one for the C295 military aircraft and the other for the H125 helicopter. The H130 is an intermediate single-engine helicopter tailored for passenger transport, tourism and private and business aviation, as well as medical airlift and surveillance missions. It has a wide, unobstructed cabin, which accommodates the pilot and up to seven passengers, providing outstanding visibility through a large wrap-around windscreen and wide windows. Its state-of-the-art technologies, materials, systems and avionics make it a quiet and powerful helicopter. 

General

A perfect match – DRF Luftrettung and the Airbus H145

By General 4 Mins Read

 German helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operator DRF Luftrettung flies one of the largest H145 fleets in the world. Now the company has taken delivery of its 40th H145, from the Airbus Helicopters site in Donauwörth. It seems that since the very beginning, the H145 and DRF Luftrettung have been a match made in heaven. The German HEMS operator took delivery of the first ever four-bladed H145 in 2014 and the helicopter soon became the backbone of its operations. Impressed by its performance DRF Luftrettung then became the first customer to upgrade a four-bladed H145 to the five-bladed version. As a HEMS operator, how a helicopter’s performance positively impacts patient care is a key factor. As a user from the very onset, they have a wealth of examples of the difference the H145 can make. “I remember one mission where I was particularly impressed by the performance of the five-bladed H145,” recalls pilot Franz Ahollinger, who has accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours in his career. “It was a typical mission for us, flying from Zwiesel in the Bavarian Forest to Regensburg with a patient requiring treatment with a mobile heart-lung machine (ECMO). We had our usual crew on board, plus a cardiologist. Together with the patient, there were six people on this flight, plus all the specialist equipment. With the five-bladed H145 we were able to carry out this mission without any problems.”

The helicopter that has it all Ahollinger has been involved in H145 operations from the start. As project manager for the introduction of the H145 into the DRF fleet, as H145 flight instructor for the DRF Luftrettung and as HEMS pilot at the DRF base in Regensburg, he has significant experience with this helicopter type. “The five-bladed H145 is the ideal helicopter for our missions,” says Ahollinger, who’s been with the DRF Luftrettung for more than 20 years and began his flying career in the German Armed Forces 32 years ago. “The cabin is large, so we can carry all the equipment we need for interhospital transfer missions, but the helicopter itself is still compact enough to land close to accident sites,” he continues. “Helionix and the five-blade rotor make the helicopter the perfect tool for our missions. From my point of view, Helionix is the best avionics system on the market, it’s very intuitive and self-explanatory, it gives the pilot the right information at the right time. The five-blade rotor makes the helicopter as smooth as a fixed-wing aircraft, which is very important for the treatment of patients in the helicopter, but also for the crew as we sometimes fly non-stop during our 12-hour shifts, especially in the summer”.

Any time, any place – the H145 is ready to save livesThe DRF Luftrettung has been relying on the five-bladed H145 in Regensburg since 2021 and flew more than 1700 missions day and night in 2024 alone. The station in Regensburg is a dual-use station (primary and secondary missions), which operates 24 hours a day. Due to its proximity to the Danube and the Bavarian Forest, water and mountain rescue operations are also carried out in the area of emergency rescue.Since 2011, the base in Regensburg has been the second air rescue station in Germany to be authorised to use night vision goggles for night rescue operations. It also provides specialised transport for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome or cardiovascular failure, while maintaining intensive care therapy. DRF Luftrettung is one of the largest HEMS operators in Europe. DRF Luftrettung operates more than 50 Airbus helicopters at 29 bases in Germany for emergency rescue and intensive care transport, including rescue winch operations and day and night missions. In 2024, the German HEMS operator flew a total of 35,850 missions.

General

Send in the Super Puma for aerial firefighting operations

By General 4 Mins Read

Since 1977, operator Custom Helicopters has offered a versatile fleet to cater for any mission their customers may require. Historically focused on single-engine utility work in Canada, they recently expanded operations to include larger multi-engine aircraft. CEO Jed Hansen explains the impact the Super Puma is having on their firefighting operations.What are the particularities of operating in Canada?Jed Hansen: Our operations span coast to coast to coast in Canada, covering from the Pacific to the Atlantic and as far north as possible. The operating environment presents challenges such as varying terrain and temperatures ranging from -40 to +40°C. Additionally, Canada experiences diverse and challenging weather conditions. Our fleet of Airbus aircraft has proven to be reliable and capable in all these environments. Reliability is crucial, especially in remote areas where our customers depend on the aircraft for daily transportation. Our Airbus fleet has enabled us to provide excellent service.

Historically, Custom Helicopters’ single-engine fleet focused on utility work.
How are your Super Pumas deployed on fire suppression missions?J.H.: Primarily, the Super Pumas are used for water bombing. However, their civilian certification allows them to perform additional tasks, such as transporting crews to and from the fire line and moving people in emergency situations. For instance, during a fire that threatened a remote community, the Super Puma was instrumental in evacuating hundreds of people to a nearby airport, providing a swift and effective means to get out when there were limited options and time was critical. Another time, we evacuated a community, we got the people out, but in an emergency only essentials can come, so the pets got left behind. We worked with the community and sent in the Puma. It was quite the scene when it showed up back at the airport loaded with pet crates from front to back, floor to ceiling. Seeing all those pets being saved, reunited and the smiles on the faces of the families and specifically the kids was amazing.What are the advantages of fighting fires with a Super Puma?J.H.: The Super Puma is a proven utility aircraft capable of operating in challenging, harsh, and remote environments. It boasts an increased external gross weight compared to other variants, allowing it to lift substantial loads. With its impressive speed and range, the Super Puma can carry more fuel than other heavy aircraft while lifting the same amount of water. This capability enables extended operations on the fire line, delivering more water to combat fires threatening homes and communities. Fire operations are often conducted at remote or temporary bases rather than returning to a hangar each day. The Puma L2 has proven effective in this environment, and its 10,000 lbs of lift with a close water source means it is the leader on the amount of water it can drop on a fire in an hour. If the water is close enough, which is often the case in Canada, we can do really quick turns. If we get 10 or 12 drops an hour on a fire, we’re looking at 40,000+ litres of water, which really makes a difference. If we look at increasing capability with the addition of a tank on a Puma and we can drop water both day and night, that volume of water on a fire in a 24-hour period is material. It’s going to make a difference. Looking at the dollar cost per litre of water dropped, the Puma does start to set itself apart.

One of Custom Helicopters’ H215 helicopters, ready for action.

What is next on the horizon?J.H.: We are collaborating with United Rotorcraft and DART Aerospace as a launch customer supporting their development of a 1,000-gallon firefighting tank for the Puma family. We anticipate the tank will be available later this year. They have a proven system that is utilised on many other aircraft types, and we have no doubt this new innovative tank system will be a great new option for the Puma. The water bucket is effective, but we expect the new tank to improve our operations, particularly with night vision goggles (NVG). We anticipate that significant forest fire incidents will continue to occur, like California recently experienced, and this superior tank will significantly enhance our effectiveness.*This article was originally published in issue 137 of Rotor magazine. Discover more about the vital missions thousands of Airbus helicopter operators perform across around the world.

BCA Special Edition Newsletter

By General 1 Min Read

BCA Special Edition Newsletter kylee.adams@in… Fri, 03/07/2025 – 23:30 Business aviation is soaring, and industry events are where game-changing decisions…

General

IDEX 2025

By General 1 Min Read

Dassault Aviation takes part in the IDEX show at Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) from February 17 to 21, 2025.…

General

Himalayan Heli Services orders two Airbus H125

By General 2 Mins Read

Bengaluru, India, 11 February 2025 – Himalayan Heli Services Ltd., India’s leading helicopter company in the pilgrimage and aerial work sectors, has ordered two Airbus H125 helicopters to expand its fleet. This latest order will expand Himalayan Heli’s fleet to eight H125 helicopters, making it the largest H125 multi mission operator in the country. The helicopters will be deployed for commercial air transport and aerial work missions in northern India. “Himalayan Heli Services is proud of using Airbus H125 helicopters for more than 15 years. The H125 has proven to be a safe, very versatile and most suitable helicopter for high altitude passenger flying as well as airborne geophysical survey across varied terrains. A prompt technical support by Airbus gives us much required confidence while serving in remote regions,” said T. Wangchuk Shamshu, Managing Director, Himalayan Heli Services Limited. “We are honoured that Himalayan Heli has once again chosen Airbus Helicopters’ H125 for their expanding services. This order underscores the trust that Himalayan Heli places in Airbus and highlights the expansion of our partnership,” said Sunny Guglani, Head of Airbus Helicopters in India and South Asia. “The H125 is known for its versatility and performance in high-altitude terrains. We are certain that these helicopters will be valuable assets that will enable Himalayan Heli to expand their growing network of services in the country,” he added. 

General

Aero India 2025

By General 1 Min Read

Dassault Aviation takes part in the Aero India show at Bengaluru from February 10 to 14, 2025. Dassault Aviation booth:…

General

First United Arab Emirates Rafale

By General 1 Min Read

Wednesday January 29, 2025, took place the presentation of the first United Arab Emirates Rafale: This first F4 Rafale for the UAE, produced in line with the contract schedule, will remain at Dassault Aviation’s Flight Test Center to perform flight tests in view of the first deliveries to the UAE Air Force & Air Defence which are scheduled at the end of 2026.

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CRJ-700 collides with US military helicopter

By General 2 Mins Read

At approximately 20:48 local time on 29 January (01:48 UTC) a PSA Airlines CRJ-700 operating for American Airlines as flight AA5342 and a US military H60 helicopter collided near Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA). The last position received from the CRJ via ADS-B was 38.843840, -77.026550 at 01:48:03 UTC. The helicopter was not broadcasting ADS-B data.

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Airbus growth in helicopter sales in 2024

By General 3 Mins Read

Marignane, France, 27 January 2025 – Airbus Helicopters logged 455 gross orders (net: 450) in 2024, highlighting a steady market growth with a strong performance this year for its light, light twin-engined, and heavy helicopters. The orders came from 182 customers in 42 countries. The Company delivered 361 helicopters in 2024, resulting in a preliminary 57% share of the civil and parapublic market.“Airbus Helicopters’ order intake in 2024, with an increase bordering 10 percent in units for the second year in a row, highlights its stable growth in a complex global environment,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “I would like to thank our customers for continuing to place their trust in Airbus Helicopters in 2024,” he added.The Super Puma programme performed strongly on both the civil and parapublic and military markets with 58 orders thanks to the German Bundespolizei, the Japan Coast Guard, the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands, and the Romanian Ministry of National Defence. 2024 saw the launch of a comprehensive upgrade, known as Block 1, for the NH90 as well as the start of flight testing for France’s Special Forces Standard 2 configuration, and the delivery of the first Standard 3 configuration to the Spanish Air Force. The H145 and H145M programme welcomed many new defence and security customers such as the Brunei Air Force, the Belgian Ministry of Defence, the Indonesian Air Force, the Bahraini Police Aviation Command as well as the Irish Ministry of Defence.  “Defence and security is a strategic priority at Airbus Helicopters. We are proud to support our customers with helicopters that enable them to protect and serve their nations as we saw in 2024 with the U.S. National Guard’s Lakota supporting disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Helene and the H135 and NH90 in the flooding in Valencia, Spain. We continue to innovate and expand the mission capabilities that we offer –  we integrated Flexrotor into our UAS portfolio, we demonstrated crewed – uncrewed teaming capabilities with the VSR700 and an H130, and we are laying the groundwork for the European Next Generation Rotorcraft through dedicated concept studies,” continued Even. 2024 saw the first flight of Racer and the unique compound helicopter surpassed its 407 KM an hour objective in just seven flights along with the maiden flight of CityAirbus NextGen in Donauwörth. On the civil and parapublic market, the H175 completed its de-icing flight test campaign in Canada and Norway ahead of certification this year and the H160 continued its progressive entry into service around the world with more than 30 helicopters now in service.“Supporting our customers is essential and our global footprint is a key element to achieving that. We celebrated several milestones in 2024 that attest to that – firstly the 40 years of our facility in Fort Erie, Canada.  This proximity will be important for our landmark contract for the 19 H135s that will be delivered to our first Canadian defence customer. Secondly, we marked fifty years of presence in the UK and inaugurated a brand new facility in Oxford. We will continue to grow our international footprint with the addition of an H125 final assembly line in India in partnership with TATA,” Even continued. The Company also ramped up the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for its own development test flights and training flights in Marignane, Albacete, and Donauwörth to nearly 20%, and added the use of SAF at its facility in Oxford, UK.Airbus’ 2024 full year financial results will be disclosed on 20 February 2025.@AirbusHeli #MakingMissionsPossible

General

Model. The Mirage 2000 C

By General 2 Mins Read

Assembly and painting! Here is a model of the famous Mirage 2000 C, designed by Kitty Hawk, which should delight fans of this iconic fighter.

Calling all collectors! The Dassault Mirage 2000 C entered into service in 1984, 315 of which were for the French Air Force (286 other aircraft were exported to India, Brazil and Greece, among others). It bears a striking resemblance to the Dassault Mirage III, in particular because of its delta wings, a feature that will not have escaped purists – just like its size. However, it was a ‘new’ aircraft in the Dassault galaxy when it entered into service, with increased wing area and fly-by-wire controls.

General

Airbus delivers two new H225M helicopters to France

By General 2 Mins Read

Marignane – Airbus Helicopters has delivered two H225M helicopters to the French Armament General Directorate (DGA). These helicopters are the first of eight aircraft ordered in 2021. They will be operated by the French Air and Space Force, replacing Pumas currently in service overseas (French Guyana, Djibouti and New Caledonia) and will contribute to the harmonisation of the French Air and Space Force’s helicopter fleet. They will be used for operational missions, search and rescue and utility missions. “The delivery of these two brand new H225Ms to the French Air and Space Force is very symbolic as France was the first operator of the H225M. They have proven on multiple occasions the benefit of this rotorcraft for combat, search and rescue, disaster management and medical evacuation missions,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “We are very proud that the French Air and Space Force has renewed their trust in the Caracal,” he added. “The French Air and Space Air Force will benefit from all the innovations that have been implemented on the H225M since the helicopter started operations in 2006 with the French armed forces, further expanding the capabilities of this unique aircraft.”Like all newly built H225Ms, the eight new helicopters ordered by France in 2021 are equipped with state-of-the-art avionics. The French H225Ms, also nicknamed Caracal, are equipped with the Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical system and the Sigma inertial navigation system.  New equipment also includes the Thales VUHF radio TRA6034 and IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) transponder TSC4000. The H225M has proven its reliability and durability in combat conditions and crisis areas around the world. There are more than 350 H225s and H225Ms in service, totalling more than 880,000 flight hours. Military customers include France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Brazil, and Hungary.@AirbusHeli @Armees_Gouv @Armee_de_lair @DGA #H225M 

General

Film. “The Shamrock Spitfire”

By General 2 Mins Read

This film is about a little-known story on this side of the Channel, chronicling the brief, heroic existence of a young Royal Air Force pilot during World War II.

Irish fighter pilot Brendan “Paddy” Finucane is relatively unknown in France, yet in the UK he is very famous. And with good reason: he had 28 official victories to his name and was the youngest Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force in 1939-1945. “The Shamrock Spitfire” is a film about the aviator’s short yet brilliant career.

Finucane joined His Majesty’s Army in April 1938, at the age of 17. What happened next? The outbreak of the war, the defeat of the French, the encircling of the British troops at Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, victorious duels, incorporation into the Kenley squadron, promotion to the rank of Wing Commander… From 1940 to 1942, the man forged his reputation as a leader and pilot!

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Japan’s Police new Airbus H160 operator

By General 1 Min Read

Tokyo, Japan, 15 January 2025 – The National Police Agency (NPA) of Japan has taken delivery of two Airbus H160 helicopters, making it the first para-public operator of the type in Japan. The first H160 was delivered at the end of last year, with the second delivery in January.“We are very proud of the delivery of the first public service version of the H160 to our long-standing customer in Japan. This is the culmination of two years of outstanding work and dedication of the teams in France and Japan,” said Jean-Luc Alfonsi, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Japan. “The unique capabilities of these brand-new aircraft will contribute to expanding the envelope of the NPA’s wide-ranging law enforcement missions.”The H160 is one of the world’s most technologically advanced helicopters, designed and built to deliver the highest levels of operational safety while providing unmatched comfort for rotorcraft in its class. Capable of performing wide-ranging missions including law enforcement, offshore transportation, search and rescue, private and business aviation, and emergency medical services, the H160 has entered into service in Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, U.K., U.S. and many other European countries.@AirbusHeli #H160

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Ireland orders four Airbus H145M

By General Airbus 2 Mins Read

Oxford, UK – Airbus Helicopters has signed a firm contract with the Republic of Ireland Department of Defence to acquire four H145M helicopters.The H145M, a new type in Irish military service, will be used to expand the operational capabilities of the Irish Air Corps on a variety of defence and security tasks.“The procurement of the Airbus H145M helicopter platform is another important step on the journey of transformative change of our Defence Forces. These new light multi-role helicopters, proven in their service in other militaries, will not only enhance the Irish Air Corps rotary capability but will also serve as a critical enabler to the Army, Naval Service and Special Operations Forces,” said Irish Defence Forces’ Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy.“It’s a great honour to be selected to play this key role in the modernisation of the Irish Air Corps fleet.

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To bee or not to bee – the Airbus H125 to the rescue

By General 4 Mins Read

In the midst of a natural disaster, a swarm of bees took an extraordinary first flight, beneath an SAF Ecureuil. An event worthy of a Shakespearean play, except with no sting in the tale.In the early days of September 2024, severe weather hit the French Pyrenees. The Aspe valley was lashed by torrential rain, leading to landslides and flooding. Route National 134, which links France to Spain via the Somport tunnel, was cut off, and the water and electricity networks also suffered extensive damage.Ready for action“The first effects of the Gave d’Aspe flooding were felt on the night between 6 and 7 September,” explains Jérôme Delhome, pilot and head of the Pyrenees base at SAF Hélicoptères in Ger. The company keeps an H125 stationed there throughout the year for aerial work in the region.“The flooding got worse during the night, the authorities issued warnings in good time, residents evacuated and there were no casualties,” continued Jérôme Delhome. “My assistants and I were ready to take action on the morning of 7 September, but the wind was too strong. We had to wait until the end of the day to launch the first logistical relief missions.”Non-stop operationsEverything was transported by sling, with lengths varying from 25 to 70 metres depending on the terrain. The helicopter was also used to transport personal belongings from devastated homes. The light helicopter once again proved its worth, flying up to six hours a day non-stop.Around two weeks after these dramatic events, the SAF base received a call from the Pyrenees National Park: the situation for beekeepers who could no longer access their hives on the Layers plateau was becoming critical. The forest paths had been destroyed by mudslides, vehicles could no longer get through and the plateau was only accessible on foot. In addition to harvesting several hundred kilos of honey, they also had to bring the hives down to the valley for the winter. The Ecureuil would single-handedly rescue an entire local economy.

A tonne of honey“The first stage of the job was to bring in the honey,” explains the pilot. “In two round trips, I took almost one tonne down to the village of Borce, 300 metres further down the valley.” Meanwhile, the beekeepers dismantled their hives and prepared them for transport on pallets.“We put a dozen on each pallet, for a total weight of around 700 kg. We didn’t have a problem with the load, but we were afraid that the hives would get damaged during transport and that the bees would escape.”

‘Beesily’ taking flightNormally, hives are transported on trailers at night, when the bees are asleep. The noise, rotor blast and possible damage to the hives make caution a necessity, so the bees were smoked inside their hives the night before to give them a few extra hours of peace and quiet during transport. The next morning, the assistants in charge of attaching the loads to the sling worked wearing beekeeping protective gear. The pilot, 35 metres higher up, wasn’t at risk and wore no special protection equipment. After the two round trips to collect the honey, five more were needed to bring the hives to the floor of the valley. Each flight lasted just over eight minutes and the entire operation was completed in less than an hour. “I’ve been a professional helicopter pilot since 1997 and I’ve clocked up over 16,000 flying hours, including 12,000 on the Ecureuil family,” explains Jérôme Delhome. “In the course of my career, I’ve transported everything from cows and horses to sheep and tourists… but never bees! One thing I learned from this mission is that these insects seemed to enjoy this new kind of flight. They showed no aggression, and nobody got stung.”

General

Why are the Channel Islands so foggy?

By General 3 Mins Read

Jersey Airport (JER), Guernsey Airport (GCI) and Alderney Airport (ACI), located in the Channel Islands, frequently experience significant fog during the winter months, which often disrupts commercial flight operations. This phenomenon is primarily due to the region’s unique maritime climate and geographical position.

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Comic book. “Team Rafale” – Volume 16 – “Dark Star”

By General 2 Mins Read

This sixteenth volume in the adventures of Tom Nolane will transport readers to Asia, where the disappearance of a mysterious aircraft is intertwined with issues of the utmost importance.

For this latest adventure of the fighter pilot and test pilot (on board the Rafale, of course!), the protagonists Tom Nolane and his sidekicks – Tank, Dozer, etc. –, go on board the aircraft carrier “Charles-de-Gaulle” along with the rest of the carrier battle group. Straddling the territorial waters of India and Bangladesh, the aircraft carrier sails through the Bay of Bengal.

Soon, a Search And Rescue (SAR) alert is launched: it was triggered to locate the pilot of an American reconnaissance aircraft, the “Dark Star”, still in the prototyping phase, which disappeared from the radar without emitting a distress signal. To make matters worse, the case promises to be a sensitive one, since the plane is classified as top secret…