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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