At the Heli-Expo show in Orlando on 3 March, Airbus Helicopters revealed the true identity of
its long-trailered ‘X4’ new generation helicopter, and displayed a full-scale mockup. Now
designated H160, the manufacturer says
that the 5.5 to 6-ton class rotorcraft’s
‘nose-to-tail breakthroughs’ in design and
systems will ‘raise the standards for
performance, cost-effectiveness,
passenger comfort and environmental
impact to create the medium-class
rotorcraft benchmark.’
“The H160 is the first-ever fully-
composite civil helicopter, resulting in
an airframe that is lighter in weight, more
robust, resistant to corrosion and fatigue,
while requiring less maintenance,” says Airbus. It integrates 68 different patented
technologies that include two firsts, both offering improved performance and flight stability:
the largest-ever Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, which is also double-canted at 12º angles,
further enhancing anti-torque control efficiency; and an all-new Biplane Stabilizer, whose
design features staggered placement of the dual-level, interconnected stabilizers, aiding
manoeuvring and reducing aerodynamic penalties in low-speed flight and in the hover.
Another technology breakthrough is first use of Airbus’s Blue Edge main rotor blades, which
reduce exterior noise levels by 50%/3dB and also allow a payload increase of up to 100kg
compared to other rotor blades, depending on flight conditions.
Power comes from two 1,100shp Turbomeca Arrano engines which offer significant
reductions in fuel consumption for improved range and payload performance, along with a
reduced environmental footprint, claims Airbus.
Additional features include electric landing gear, requiring less maintenance while also
allowing more payload to be carried, and easy access to various maintenance areas. Three
prototypes are being built, with the first scheduled to fly this year. Service entry is planned
for 2018.
Concurrent with launch of the H160, Airbus Helicopters will progressively replace the former
Eurocopter range designations’ EC prefix with the letter H for Helicopter. Suffixes, as well as
the differentiation for single- or twin-engines, will no longer be used. Military versions will be
denoted by the letter M. The only exceptions are the AS332, AS350 B2, AS365, AS532, AS
565, EC145e, Tiger and NH90, which will keep their current designations.Rotorheads
16 | Pilot April 2015 http://www.pilotweb.aeroEnstrom TH
trainer flies
The prototype Enstrom TH180,
training helicopter made its first
flight on 6 February, and
subsequently made its public debit
at the Heli-Expo show in Orlandoin early March. “Its rugged frame,
robust landing gear, and very
forgiving handling qualities are a
great combination for hands-on
learning,” said Bill Taylor, Enstrom
Director of Engineering and Chief
Test Pilot. If the certification
programme goes as planned,
customer deliveries should begin
in early 2016.
Meanwhile, Enstrom has handed
over the last four of fifty Enstrom
480B training helicopters ordered
by the Japanese Ground Self
Defense Force. The 480B was
chosen by the JGSDF in 2010 to
replace its fleet of ab initio
training helicopters. The contract
was the largest in Enstrom’s
history.The second prototype Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, FTV-2,
made its first flight in late February. Since FTV-1 flew
in November 2014 the flight test programme has
progressed quickly, and has included numerous
practice autorotations, says programme director
David Smith. “This [latest flight] puts us one step
closer to certification and production. The aircraft
performed incredibly well, successfully demonstrating
a low traffic speed traffic pattern at 60kt.” Since it unveiled the
Jet Ranger X at Heli-Expo in February 2014, Bell has received
more than 300 letters of intent for the new model.
The Jet Ranger X combines the proven systems of the original
Model 206 JetRanger with advanced technology and a modern
design. It features a Garmin G1000HTM integrated avionics suite
providing ‘at a glance’ critical flight information to maximise
situational awareness. It is powered by a Turbomeca Arrius 2R
engine with dual-channel FADEC, has a high inertia rotor which Bell
says delivers superior autorotation capability, and a newly designed five-seat cabin.Airbus Helicopters H160 revealed
Bell flies second 505
Jet Ranger X prototype
Last four of the fifty 480Bs
ordered by the Japanese GSDFThe TH180 at rest and (below)
in flightThe new Jet Ranger
features G1000 glassThe H160 mockup on display at Heli-Expo in Orlando