The new Airbus H145 lands on top of the Andes
Designed to deliver excellent performance throughout the flight envelope, Airbus’ H145 is the latest member of its 4-ton-class twin-engine rotorcraft product range – with designed-in mission capability and flexibility, especially in high and hot operating conditions. Compact in size, this helicopter’s small footprint and large, flexible cabin make it the aircraft of choice for a variety of civil or military missions.
An aircraft of choice
The best-selling H145 family (BK117, EC145 and H145) has more than 1,350 helicopters in service around the world and has clocked more than 5.5 million flight hours.
Aircraft
Flexible and proven
The H145’s compact footprint, unobstructed cabin and flat floor lend themselves to a full range of applications, accommodating:
- one or two pilots and up to eight passengers in standard configuration,
- one or two pilots and up to 10 passengers in a higher density configuration.
This multi-purpose rotorcraft is tailored for emergency medical services and law enforcement duties, along with aerial work, passenger transport – including private and business aviation – and offshore operations. For multi-mission operators, the H145 can be reconfigured for different roles quickly and easily.
2020 sees EIS of a new innovative version of the H145, equipped with a five-bladed main rotor. The H145 extends its transport capability and provides operators with an excellent smoothness of flight.
Impressive performance and built-in safety
The H145 offers exceptional performance thanks to Safran Helicopter engines Arriel 2E power plant and dual full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) – along with the helicopter’s upgraded main and tail rotor systems. This guarantees an unprecedented level of performance in both hover and one-engine inoperative (OEI) conditions.
The H145 is the only aircraft of its range to take off and land at 20,000 ft, a distinction it confirmed in September 2019 over Aconcagua (22,840 ft), where it demonstrated its incomparable power reserve.
The Fenestron technology brings benefits such as improved flight and ground safety to customers, as well as enhanced anti-torque control efficiency, reduced power demand in forward flight, and lower sound and vibration levels.
The Fenestron also has a redesigned tail gearbox that contributes to lower maintenance costs. It incorporates a duplex tail rotor actuator and dual hydraulic circuits – installed in a damage-tolerant all-composite tail boom.
Airbus’ Helionix® avionics suite, connected to the wireless Airborne Communication Server (wACS), provides undisputed superiority for in-flight envelope protection, pilot assistance and time savings for data transfer which, along with situational awareness, results in unprecedented flight safety levels. Meeting the latest international avionics standards, Helionix integrates an innovative alerting and self-monitoring system. Meeting the latest international avionics standards, the Helionix installation integrates an innovative alerting and self-monitoring system.
Additionally, the H145 is equipped with an advanced dual-duplex, 4-axis autopilot specifically designed for helicopters.
This offers:
- High flight stability and precision
- Unique flight envelope
- Over-limit protection
- Automated takeoff
- Fully-coupled approaches to hover.
A maintenance-friendly helicopter
Missions
Law enforcement
The H145 is always ready for duty, capable of being equipped with a modern mission management system for law enforcement operations.
Fast and reliable, the helicopter can rapidly transport one pilot and up to 11 officers or two pilots and up to 10 officers to the scene. It is likewise ideal for the transport of special forces.
Its primary roles include patrol, surveillance, and rescue missions, supported by the roomy, flexible cabin, and installation of forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and daylight cameras that are controlled by an operator who also handles communications and data exchange with ground-based police resources.
Other equipment opportunities include a powerful searchlight, external hoist, and simultaneous external roping capability for two people – one on each side. Additional equipment includes a tactical mission management system, connectivity features and an electro-optical system (EOS) digital camera.
Night vision goggle-compatible cockpit with a night vision imaging system (NVIS) further contributes to helicopter’s operational flexibility.
Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS)
Building on the worldwide use of Airbus’ H145 family in emergency medical services, the H145 is tailored for primary and secondary missions and intensive care transport – benefitting from the easy and safe loading and unloading of patients through wide side sliding doors and large rear clamshell doors.
Its spacious, unobstructed cabin was specifically designed to meet the requirements set by national medical regulatory agencies. The cabin accommodates one or two wheeled stretchers with partial or full suites of medical equipment for operation by three to five medical personnel.
The H145 benefits from multiple EMS cabin interiors, which were designed in cooperation with leading EMS providers based on HEMS customer feedback.
The new Helionix suite allows safe and easy HEMS operation under challenging conditions.
The helicopter’s low external sound level allows neighborhood-friendly operations around hospitals and in urban areas.
The new H145 is fast becoming one of the industry’s leaders for smooth flights, while it goes further with its improved ability to land in confined areas, thanks to a smaller D-value (the greatest dimension of a helicopter for helideck assessment).
Onshore and offshore oil & gas
High and hot capability and the capacity to carry eight passengers plus one to two pilots are attributes that make the H145 a natural choice for onshore and offshore oil and gas passenger transportation and cargo missions.
The H145 can operate in performance class 1 conditions, while its compact airframe can manoeuvre in complex environments, such as oil and gas helidecks.
Equipped with the complete offshore mission equipment package, the H145 is fully compliant with IOGP standards. The equipment list includes an external hoist on both sides, a weather radar in colour, an emergency sea state six floatation system, life rafts, helicopter emergency egress lighting (HEEL), and an automatic deployable emergency locator transmitter. The H145’s shrouded Fenestron tail rotor is the safest solution for personnel on the ground, and its wide cabin with flat unobstructed floor offers a multi-purpose capability.
Offshore wind energy
The H145 has the best fit for wind park operations and maintenance. Its cabin can accommodate two teams of three technicians with equipment. Its outstanding hover and OEI performance allow safe and efficient hoisting operations.
The offshore wind energy equipment list includes an external hoist on both sides, weather radar in colour, an emergency floatation system, life rafts, helicopter emergency egress lighting (HEEL), and an automatic deployable emergency locator transmitter.
Private and business aviation
To differentiate its approach to private and business aviation, Airbus Helicopters has introduced Airbus Corporate Helicopters – ACH – its exclusive offer providing an end-to-end service-based ownership experience.
ACH provides an exclusive platform from which customers can experience best-in-class corporate and VIP transport solutions, tailored completion, and service. ACH ensures that only the highest quality materials and the best craftsmanship are on offer to customers.
The ACH range now features the ACH prefix: ACH125, ACH130, ACH135, ACH145, ACH160, and ACH175.
Please visit our dedicated website to find out more.Visit the ACH website
Aerial work
The H145’s high level of performance, including in high and hot operating conditions, its small footprint and compact airframe eases manoeuvring even in confined areas and makes it valuable for aerial work and firefighting missions.
With its large flat floor cabin, design-in modularity and a large choice of optional mission equipment, the H145 is the aircraft of choice for a variety of civil missions such as utility, electronic newsgathering or passenger transport. It can be reconfigured quickly and easily for various roles for multi-mission operators.
The access provided through side and rear doors enable the loading of long and bulky cargo.
The H145’s improved human external cargo (HEC) performance brings benefit to commercial winch operators for harbour pilot transfers or powerline maintenance missions. Achieve excellence Access our worldwide training catalogue with the Airbus Learning Management System. Worldwide training catalogue
Technical Description
Configurations
Eight seats for passenger transport
The one- or two-pilot and eight passengers configuration is perfect for passenger transport or offshore airlift operations. The H145’s large cabin accommodates an additional 1.31m3 of cargo, while its smooth ride provides for a relaxing journey.
10 passengers
The one- or two-pilot and ten passengers configuration is the H145’s high-density passenger layout. Ideal for more-traveled routes, the spacious cabin gives an impression of comfort even when fully occupied.
Law enforcement
The one-pilot and eleven officers, or two-pilot and ten officers seating configuration is particularly suited to law enforcement operations or special forces transport. The H145’s compact body facilitates landing in confined or urban areas, and it can include a modern mission management system for police operations.
Emergency medical services
The one- or two-pilot and two-stretchers layout includes room for up to three HEMS crew members for emergency medical services missions. Efficient loading of stretchers through side sliding doors or rear clamshell doors facilitate patient comfort and safety.