Airbus Helicopters has delivered two H175s to the Royal Thai Police—the first customer in Asia to operate the new medium rotorcraft. The company also reported the first flight of a third H160 prototype. But there was less good news concerning some earlier deliveries: it was reported that Australia joined France, Germany and Spain in grounding its Tiger attack helicopters, following the fatal crash of a German machine in Mali last July.
The Royal Thai Police already operates five H155s, and two AS365N3+ helicopters supplied by Airbus (previously Eurocopter). The two new H175s will be used for VIP transportation as well as regular police missions. They can seat up to 12 passengers in an executive configuration. According to Airbus, more than 15 H175s have now been delivered and have logged about 12,000 hours to date.
Passenger transport will be the main initial role for the H160 when deliveries begin in 2019. The third prototype first flew on October 13, with a cabin configuration similar to that of the envisioned production aircraft. Airbus Helicopters expects first customers to use the H160 for commercial air transport or oil-and-gas exploration support, followed by an emergency medical services (EMS) version. The company’s reputation in the oil-and-gas sector is still affected by the series of accidents and incidents involving the AS332/H225 series. Despite being cleared to resume flying by airworthiness authorities, oil-and-gas companies operating as far afield as the North Sea and the South China Sea, and the labor unions representing their workers, have shunned the H225. However, AIN is not aware of any military operator that has not resumed flying this helicopter series.
A similarly negative reputation afflicts the Tiger attack helicopter, which has suffered from reliability issues throughout its service life, particularly in Australia. The Asia-Pacific Aerospace Report (APAR) learned recently that the Australian Army has not lifted the grounding of its Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARHs) that was imposed after the German crash on July 22. The German Army Tiger fleet is flying again, but with restrictions on weight, autopilot operation and flight in turbulent conditions. An Australian defense ministry spokesman told APAR that the Army was awaiting further advice from the manufacturer and other Tiger operators before resuming flying.