Arrius 1A1 Engine Gets EASA Nod

The European Aviation Safety Agency has certified the Arrius 1A1, a new version of Turbomeca’s Arrius turboshaft. The 463-shp engine will power the Eurocopter AS 355NP twin turbine. On the 1A1, a new high-pressure turbine enables a higher one-engine-inoperative rating, meaning that the helicopter retains category-A performance under hotter, higher and heavier conditions. The 1A1 is fitted with a fadec. This year, Turbomeca expects to deliver some 30 Arrius 1A1s, with the first handover said to be imminent. The engine’s TBO is increasing from 2,500 to 2,750 hours and should eventually reach 3,000 hours.