H160 is a high-tech helicopter from Airbus Helicopters, which combines the best of the H145 and H175 models.
The company’s goal in creating this model was to combine comfort, safety and competitiveness in the business aviation market and in the helicopter industry as a whole in one helicopter. The model has become quieter and more environmentally friendly compared to other helicopters in the “H” line. The multifunctional helicopter is designed for use in the gas and oil industry, for charter, corporate, commercial, VIP flights, rescue operations, medical charter flights on helicopters and transportation of government officials.
The helicopter combines technology, speed, convenience, multitasking and style. The composite design made it possible to implement design solutions in the form of a flat cabin and large windows, improve aerodynamic characteristics and significantly reduce the takeoff weight of the machine. Which in turn reduced fuel consumption and operating costs by up to 20%.
The helicopter can take on board from 4 to 12 passengers depending on the configuration and layout of the cabin.
The H160 series is presented in three design types: Line, Exclusive and Editions. Line – a design in the style of a sports car is presented in several versions. Exclusive is a VIP series, with a highly individual approach and high-quality execution of the cabin trim, in general and in detail, to satisfy the most demanding client at the highest level. Editions combines the brands and designers of Hermes, Mercedes Benz and the famous Peter Eidsgard from Pegasus Design.
The helicopter is the embodiment of innovation. The visual and technological feature of the H160 is the main rotor blades with Blue Edge technology. The geometry of the blades with a bend resembles a hockey stick, like a hockey player. During the flight of the helicopter, a vortex flow is created at the ends of the main rotor blades, the geometry of the blade tips reduces the vortex flow, which reduces the noise level by 5 dB. Changing the curvature of the blades made it possible to increase the helicopter’s lifting capacity by 100 kg.
The developers of the Airbus H160 used a horizontal stabilizer of a biplane design and an inclined tail rotor fenestron, which together reduce noise impact and add smoothness during flight, and also significantly improve the controllability and flight characteristics of the helicopter. Such a flight on a helicopter is as comfortable and balanced as possible.
When developing the H160 model, Airbus engineers decided not to use the helicopter’s fly-by-wire flight control system and the helicopter’s main rotor blade anti-icing system as part of the basic configuration.
The helicopter’s chassis and brakes were modified, and an electric drive system was used instead of the usual hydraulic systems, thereby reducing the weight and increasing the reliability of the aircraft. An additional backup fuel and lubricant supply system was also modified and installed, which significantly affects the safety of flights and the operation of the helicopter in normal and extreme conditions.
Airbus developers used the Helionix avionics system to reduce the workload on pilots during the flight, which in turn increases the duration and quality of piloting. Flight information is displayed on 4 touchscreen multimedia monitors. The Helionix multifunctional system works in conjunction with a four-axis autopilot. The flight mode limitation indicator promptly informs the pilot about the operating parameters of the engines and helicopter systems. The avionics system has significant potential and functionality compared to the equipment of a number of helicopters. It is capable of processing and monitoring weather conditions along the flight route, and also has an integrated system for recognizing and avoiding ground obstacles in conjunction with a synthetic vision system, which is significantly effective during landing in poor weather conditions and on snowy landing sites.
The helicopter received new Arrano engines with a capacity of up to 1,300 hp. This version allows saving fuel costs from 10 to 15 percent at all stages of piloting, including when reaching the cruise flight mode.
The maximum takeoff weight of the H160 helicopter is 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs), and the maximum load capacity is 1,760 kg, including up to 500 kg of additional fuel on board. The helicopter is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 325 km / h with a working cruising speed of 285 km / h, while the estimated flight range is 850 km and the maximum estimated altitude is 5,900 m.
Specialists, engineers, developers and designers of Airbus Helicopters have invested a lot of energy, thought, desire to make the H160 helicopter one of the most advanced devices in world aviation.
26 MAR 2020