Story ID: 527
FAA Approves Airbus H135 with Helionix
By: Mark Huber
Caption: STAT Medevac is the first U.S. customer 
Word Count: 214
Airbus Helicopters has received FAA certification for the Helionix cockpit in its light-twin H135 helicopter. Helionix is a standardized family of avionics and features available on the company’s H175, H145, and, soon, on the H160 super-medium and medium twins.

The Helionix cockpit is designed with three large electronic displays, is night-vision-goggle (NVG) compatible, features a four-axis autopilot, and includes a first limit indicator that highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.

Stat Medevac is the first U.S. customer for the H135 with Helionix. Stat took delivery of three H135s so equipped earlier this month. FAA certification follows European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for the H135 with Helionix in 2016.

European customers for the H135 with the avionics include the British Ministry of Defense/UK Military Flight Training System (UKMFTS), operated by Ascent Flight training, and the Norwegian Helicopter Emergency Medical Services operator Norsk Luftambulanse AS (Nolas). Martin Schneider, head of Airbus's H135 program, said, “The FAA certification of the H135 with Helionix marks another important milestone for the H135 in the U.S. and showcases our consistent efforts to improve the helicopter.” More than 1,300 H135s are in service worldwide and the fleet has amassed 4.5 million flight hours.