A Tour of Airbus' New, Quieter H160 Helicopter
Although helicopter travel isn't our normal beat, we had the opportunity to check out a new piece of equipment that is promising to transform the way helicopters are designed: the Airbus H160, the world's first civilian helicopter made entirely from composite materials.
We checked out the second prototype, one of three currently flying, on display at the BLADE Lounge East in Manhattan. In development since 2011, the European-made chopper took its first flight in 2015, but won't be available for its customers until next year. Prototype number two, with the French registration F-WWPL — Airbus Helicopters is based in Marseille, France — is currently on a North American demo tour.
The aircraft is in the so-called medium helicopter category, between its smaller sibling H145 and its big brother H175. It can seat up to 12 passengers and two pilots and has a maximum take-off weight of 12,500lbs.
Composites are lighter than metals, and that means performance. Powered by two French-made Safran Arrano turbine engines, the helicopter cruises at 177 mph, relatively high for a helicopter, and has a range of about 550 miles. Compared to similar models, it's also more fuel efficient with 15% less fuel burn, Airbus Helicopters says.
The most obvious visual difference between the H160 and other helicopters is the shape of the rotor blades. Airbus developed Blue Edge curved blades that help cut down significantly on noise. H160 test pilot Oliver Gensse told TPG that the blades reduce noise up to 50% compared to other helicopters — an important feature when trying to comply with noise ordinances.
This makes it more comfortable for passengers too. In fact, there's significantly less vibration, making it the H160 "the most comfortable in the fleet," according to Gensse. That makes it also a good match for VIP services. (Just how VIP? The list price, according to several French media, will be up to 15 million euros or $18 million. Outfitting the cabin for VIP customers will add to that.)
The aircraft comes with an advanced heating and AC system that works so well Gensse said was sweating when he was flying the H160 in -40° Celsius temperatures (equivalent to -40° F as well) in Yellowknife, Canada. And that's another feature of the aircraft, according to its maker: It performs quite well in extreme weather conditions.
The enclosed tail rotor is a telltale mark of Airbus Helicopters, and before it of its predecessor, Aerospatiale. Instead of free-standing blades, it's enclosed in a circle known as fenestron. Itis actually slightly tilted at 12 degrees. The helicopter's flight engineer, Nicolas Certain, pointed out the different devices attached to the aircraft used to measure different variables on test flights (see the top of the tail in the photo below).
Since the helicopter is still in development, Airbus is still making tweaks to the H160's construction. Certain actually installed metal edges on this prototype to help it fly better which may be incorporated into the final version. The biplane stabilizer, which helps the H160 maintain level flight, has also been equipped with temporary metal edges designed and installed by Certain.
Flight test measurement devices were installed in the space normally used for cargo.
Although the aircraft can hold up to 12 passengers, this prototype only had seating for six (plus two pilots)
Gensse said the H160 is easy to fly, nimble and quite responsive— its advanced autopilot system makes things even simpler for the pilots. The Helionix flight controls system requires fewer pre-flight checks too, making it easier to get the helicopter off the ground. It can take less than two minutes to get the helicopter into the air, according to Genesee.
Once in passenger service, the H160 won't look inside like it does below, with monitoring and test equipment that can measure, according to Certain, 800 different parameters in flight.
While BLADE reps said the company wouldn't be operating the H160 anytime soon, Airbus said that once the aircraft is available in 2019 it will primarily be used for transport in private and business aviation purposes but will also be outfitted with for emergency workers. Its large cabin could be useful for EMS missions.
Check out this video to see the H160 in action:
All images by the author.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.