The Federal Aviation Administration took its time before granting the H160 its American type certificate. The latest addition to the Airbus helicopter family will finally be able to begin its operational career in the USA.
It took no less than three years for the FAA to certify the H160. The European type certificate was indeed issued by the EASA in July 2020. Admittedly, this helicopter is a concentrate of innovation. But its noise-reducing Blue Edge rotor blades, angled Fenestron for greater payload, and Helionix avionics suite designed to reduce pilot workload aren’t the whole story. The American administration is going through the most critical period in its history. The 737MAX affair revealed serious internal dysfunctions and too great a proportion to rely on the industrialists in the management of the files.
The FAA must reform in depth. This need requires a review of its mode of operation, which industrialists, regardless of their size, bear the brunt of. They have no choice but to respond with maximum rigor and diligence to the demands of American officials, and above all to take their troubles patiently.
The H160 multirole helicopter for which Airbus Helicopters claims to have received more than 100 orders, including a dozen in the USA, is already in service in Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Europe. The fleet totals more than 1,700 flight hours including offshore transport for the energy industry, private and business aviation, emergency medical services, commercial passenger transport and public services such as search and rescue and law enforcement.
The first H160 Level D Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) in North America is expected to enter service in the second half of 2025. It is located at the Helisim Simulation Center (Airbus Helicopters) in Grand Prairie, Texas.
2023-07-03 07:46:20
#Airbus #H160 #finally #certified #USA #Aerobuzz
