Airbus Corporate Helicopters recently rolled out the 700th light single H130 for delivery to an unidentified private customer. Since it entered service as the EC130 in 2001, the model has accumulated more than 1.8 million flight hours with 340 operators worldwide, becoming a mainstay of the helitour business and finding increasing popularity as a medevac platform.
The H130 features a wide cabin, expansive windows and a fenestron-ducted tailrotor. The model underwent a significant block change in 2012 with the addition of more robust air conditioning and transmission, more powerful engine, a reinforced airframe to accommodate a higher mtow, stronger door hinges and tailboom join, increased TBO intervals, and a more crash-resistant fuel bladder.
In addition, the seats were redesigned for improved comfort and the mounting box for the rear seat row was removed to create a completely flat-floor cabin, enabling medevac interiors. Overall airframe vibration was dampened by a new active system from Lord featuring a processing computer tied to sensors and actuators. Effective this year, all H130s are offered with a glass cockpit.