NHV Group’s fleet of Airbus H175 helicopters has surpassed 40,000 flight hours, the operator announced this morning. NHV, which services primarily the offshore oil markets in Europe’s North Sea and West Africa, was the launch customer for the model in 2014 and currently flies a fleet of 13 of the super-medium twins. NHV’s fleet accounts for more than 60 percent of the H175’s 66,000 flight hours to date.
“We have successfully positioned the H175 as the new standard for oil and gas missions. We continue to believe that the H175 is the best and most modern helicopter in its class today and are dedicated to further develop its strengths,” said NHV COO Thomas Hütsch.
According to NHV, the H175 is capable of flying with a full payload to 90 percent of North Sea offshore installations. Airbus claims the H175 can reach 90 percent of the world's offshore rigs.
Announced in 2008 as a joint development between Airbus and China’s Avicopter, the 7-tonne H175 is powered by a pair of 1,776-shp Pratt & Whitney PT6-67Es that can propel the H175 to 19,685 feet in less than seven minutes. Maximum takeoff weight is 17,196 pounds. Configured for offshore operations, the helicopter seats 16 passengers.