Airbus Helicopter claims H125 capable for IFR operation

Airbus Helicopters has launched the development of an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability for the H125 in partnership with Genesys Aerosystems, which will be available in the second half of 2024 from the Airbus Helicopters´ final assembly line in Columbus, Mississippi. It will consist of an upgraded cockpit, a new autopilot, and redundant hydraulic and electrical systems.

“Thanks to its recent innovations, the H125 remains an unrivalled product in terms of performance and value for money. This new IFR feature will expand the helicopter’s mission capabilities in all weather conditions, especially for critical missions such as public services, including law enforcement, emergency medical services, and enhanced training – all missions that are in high demand worldwide, and in particular in North America,” said Jérome Ronssin, Head of Light Helicopters Programme at Airbus Helicopters.

Airbus Helicopters is targeting certification from the foremost aviation authorities, including FAA, during the second half of 2024, with the first deliveries by the end of that year. Today, close to 4,200 H125 family helicopters are flying worldwide in the most demanding conditions. The H125 is the absolute market leader in the Intermediate single-engine helicopter category, achieving a market share of 63% in 2022. Last year, 161 H125 helicopters were ordered, 39 in North America, setting a sales record for the past decade.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Airbus Helicopters.

Airbus Helicopter says they have delivered more than 20 H125 choppers to Nepalese helicopter operators over the past five or six years. Although H125 (AS350 series) helicopters have been flying in Nepal for several years, the first H125 was delivered here in 2012.

Airbus received milestones from Nepal as the customers from the country, including Nepalese Army, Shree Airlines, Manang Air, Simrik Air, Fishtail Air, Air Dynasty, Mountain Helicopters, Altitude Air, and Heli Everest collectively had already logged more than 50,000 flying hours with their combine H125 choppers.

These Airbus helicopters can fly in high altitudes, which is suitable for Nepal as the country is full of mountains and hills. Helicopter Operators in Nepal are busy carrying many tourists to their trekking destinations. Besides, rescue and cargo operations are where the helicopters are always active.

Francois Bazin, head of Sales, Support, and Marketing for Airbus Helicopters India, said, “In Nepal, the number of hours per helicopter [per year] is close to what we see in oil and gas. They’re sometimes flying up to 1,000 hours per machine. Considering that they are not flying all year, but maybe six to eight months [out of the year], this is an incredible number requiring stunning people, pilots, and engineers.”

Among original equipment manufacturers, Airbus Helicopters has unique insight into Nepal’s civil helicopter market because it dominates that market so thoroughly. According to the report, nearly 85 per cent of the light single-engine helicopters in Nepal are Airbus products. Most of those aircraft are the latest evolution of the AS350 series: the AS350 B3e, now known as the H125, capable of reaching much higher than the base camp of Everest.