Story ID: 133H160AIN1117
Third Airbus Helicopters H160 Takes Flight 
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Airbus anticipates service entry in 2019.
Word Count: 491
The third Airbus Helicopters H160 prototype (PT3) logged its maiden flight at the company’s headquarters in Marignane, France, on October 13. PT3 has a cabin interior configuration similar to that of a serial production aircraft and will join the flight-test program as the company continues to push for service entry in 2019.

“The third prototype incorporates a significant number of modifications based on feedback resulting from the first two years of testing by development, production and support teams,” said Bernard Fujarski, Airbus Helicopters senior vice president and director of the H160 program. “It plays an essential role in delivering a mature aircraft at entry into service and it is also closer to the serial definition with an interior lining and transport cabin configuration” he said.

Airbus Helicopters said the first two prototypes have logged 500 flight hours since first flight in June 2015. In that time, the flight envelope has already been fully tested. Remaining development activity such as complementary hot-weather testing, antennas and optional equipment will be done using all three aircraft. 

The company added that the helicopter’s final assembly line in Marignane is in the closing stages of preparation and will be ready to start production shortly. Customer support activities are being prepared in parallel thanks to the extensive involvement of maintenance teams, through the “operator zero campaign,” using the prototypes and test means to check and improve the maintenance plan, digital work cards and technical documentation and tooling ahead of actual operations.   

The first version of the H160 slated to enter service in 2019 will be for commercial passenger transport configured for oil and gas, followed by the EMS version.  

PT3 joined the test program after undergoing successful lightning indirect effect and power-on testing this summer. The three aircraft are augmented by two non-flying testbeds for dynamic and systems integration. The flight-test campaign for the medium twin has thus far included cold weather and snow trials in Canada earlier this year and testing of antennas and inlet barrier filters. Development and performance flights are continuing. To date, the H160 has achieved maximum cruise speeds up to 155 knots and flights beyond 400 nm. Final range is expected to “significantly” exceed that number, the company said. A spokesman said letters of intent for a number of the helicopters have already been signed and that Airbus Helicopters plans to announce launch customers by year-end.

The H160 has an all-composite airframe, flat-floor cabin, oversized cabin windows and a baggage compartment that can hold 661 pounds. The cabin can be configured to seat four or eight passengers in luxury layouts or utility seating for 12. The H160 incorporates a variety of new technologies, among them Blue Edge active tracking main rotor blades in a five-blade system with a double sweep design that reduces noise and makes the ride smoother and new Safran Arrano engines that offer 10 to 15 percent lower fuel consumption. 
, full_html