fbpx
Connect with us

Aircraft

The Airbus H160 Helicopter Receives EASA Approval

Published

on

The twin-engine Airbus H160 helicopter has been granted its type certificate by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Airbus H160 twin engine helicopter certified by EASA 2020
The Airbus H160 twin-engine helicopter now certified by EASA. Credit: Airbus

Marignane, 1 July 2020 – Airbus Helicopters’ multi-role twin-engine H160 has been granted its type certificate by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), marking a new chapter for the programme. The company is expecting FAA certification to follow shortly prior to first delivery to an undisclosed US customer later this year.

“The successful completion of the H160 Type Certificate is the result of several years of tremendous work and efforts accomplished jointly by the involved technical teams of the Agency and Airbus Helicopters in a remarkable fruitful cooperation spirit,” EASA Certification Director Rachel Daeschler said. “It is the result of thorough design and testing efforts, to ensure the highest safety standards are reached. The design of the H160 makes it suitable for a wide range of versatile missions. It is also one of the most environmentally friendly with respect to fuel consumption and one of the quietest helicopters of its class”

Airbus H160 completed its certification of cold-weather testing 2019

Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO remarked, “We are proud that the H160 has received its EASA type certificate. This achievement represents years of hard work designing, industrializing and defining the support ecosystem with our suppliers and partners and I would like to thank everyone who has dedicated their time and energy to turning this next generation helicopter into reality. I now look forward to the H160 entering into service and offering its innovative features that bring competitiveness alongside additional comfort and safety to customers worldwide”.

Airbus H160 EASA certification event
The Airbus H160 EASA certification event. Credit: EASA

Airbus Helicopters relied on three prototypes, the first serial aircraft, and two additional test means, the dynamic helicopter zero and the system helicopter zero, to develop and certify the aircraft and continues to mature the aircraft ahead of entry into service. The helicopters have flown over 1500 hours both for flight tests and demo flights so that customers can experience first-hand the innovation and added value the H160 will bring to their missions.

Marignane 3 July 2019 Airbus H160 prototype F-WWPL returning from a flotation bag testing flight.
July 2019, Airbus H160 prototype F-WWPL returning from a flotation bag testing flight. Credit: Airbus

Designed as a multi-role helicopter able to perform a wide range of missions such as offshore transportation, emergency medical services, private and business aviation, and public services, the H160 integrates Airbus Helicopters’ latest technological innovations. These include breakthrough safety features with Helionix’s accrued pilot assistance and automated features as well as flight envelop protection. The helicopter also provides passengers with superior comfort thanks to the sound-reducing Blue Edge blades and superb external visibility that benefits both passengers and pilots.

The Airbus H160 was not just designed with passengers and pilots in mind. Operators will appreciate its competitiveness thanks to its increased fuel efficiency and customer-centric simplified maintenance eco-system: equipment accessibility has been facilitated by the helicopter’s optimized architecture, the maintenance plan was thoroughly verified during the Operator Zero campaigns, and it is delivered with intuitive 3D maintenance documentation.

Aircraft

Gulfstream Delivers Final G550 Jet To Customer

Published

on

The final Gulfstream G550 business jet has been delivered to an international customer, marking an end of an era for the long-range commercial jet.
Gulfstream Makes Final G550 Commercial Delivery

After almost 20 years, Gulfstream has delivered its final G550 commercial jet to an international customer.

Entering service in 2003 as a long-range business jet, the G550 has a range of 6,750 nautical miles (12,501 kilometers) at Mach 0.80 and has broken over 55 speed records during its time of service.

Launched as a commercial jet that could be configured for business, government, or military and seat up to 19 passengers, the G550 is a versatile jet that enables owners to fly between international destinations such as Shanghai to Los Angeles, New York to Dubai, or London to Tokyo.

The Gulfstream G550 also launched the PlaneView™ flight deck platform for the first time and led the way with the certified Enhanced Vision System (now known as the Enhanced Flight Vision System – EFVS) as a standard safety feature for pilot safety.

“For nearly two decades, the G550 has been exceeding customer expectations,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “The G550 set a new standard for performance and reliability and continues to outperform and impress with its wide-ranging capabilities. Given our vast G550 fleet in service, we look forward to continuing to support all G550 customers around the world with Gulfstream Customer Support’s extensive network.”

The final delivery, which took place at the end of June, brings the global fleet of Gulfstream G550’s in service to a total of 600 jets.

Continue Reading

Aircraft

Aerion Supersonic Jets To Close Operations

Published

on

Aerion Supersonic set to close operations after struggling to acquire further funding to produce its AS2 supersonic business jet.
Aerion AS2 supersonic private jet flying
Aerion Supersonic AS2 concept with a top speed of Mach 1.4 may never take to the skies. Credit: Aerion Supersonic

Aerion Supersonic is reportedly set to close operations after failing to secure the considerable capital required to produce its AS2 business jet at its future $300 million planned facilities at Aerion Park, Florida.

Founded in 2004 with backing from Texan billionaire Robert Bass, Aerion Supersonic started as a solution to the 2003 retired Concorde and gained backing and support from organizations like Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and NASA’s Langley Research Center.

Yet despite raising $11.2 billion in pre-sales, Aerion has struggled to gain the capital needed to bring it to market.

Aerion Park Melbourne Florida
Proposed Aerion Park multi-purpose facility in Florida, USA. Credit: Aerion Supersonic

“The AS2 supersonic business jet program meets all market, technical, regulatory and sustainability requirements, and the market for a new supersonic segment of general aviation has been validated with $11.2 billion in sales backlog for the AS2,” reads the company statement, as stated by Florida Today.

“However, in the current financial environment, it has proven hugely challenging to close on the scheduled and necessary large new capital requirements to finalize the transition of the AS2 into production. Given these conditions, the Aerion Corporation is now taking the appropriate steps in consideration of this ongoing financial environment.”

The Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet
Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet. Credit: Aerion Supersonic

As reported by CNBC in early 2020, Aerion Supersonic revealed it would need around $4 billion to continue developing the AS2 after already spending $1 billion on engine development.

Initially, Aerion Supersonic had intended to launch the 1,000-miles-per-hour jet by 2024 and begin commercial activities by 2026, producing 300 AS2 jets during the first decade of production.

Unless 11th-hour funding is secured, the future of Aerion Supersonic is set to remain indefinitely grounded.

Continue Reading

Aircraft

Dassault Launches Falcon 10X With Largest Business Cabin Jet Yet

Published

on

Dassault Aviation’s new Falcon 10X Business Jet is a high-speed ultra-long-range jet capable of flying non-stop from New York to Shanghai.
Dassault Falcon 10X Side View
The new Dassault Falcon 10X. Credit: Dassault Aviation

Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 10X Business Jet is a high-speed ultra-long-range jet featuring the largest and most comfortable cabin on a business jet yet.

Said to “deliver a level of comfort, versatility, and technology not yet seen” in terms of cabin size and comfort, the Falcon 10X is looking to rival the likes of the Gulfstream G700 and Bombardier’s Global 7500 when it goes into production end of 2025.

Dassault Falcon 10X Living
Interior cabin configuration of the new Dassault Falcon 10X. Credit: Dassault Aviation

“The 10X will be more than just another big step forward in business aviation. It will be absolutely the best business jet available in the ultra-long-range category and will remain so for a long time,” shared Dassault Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier.

Dassault Falcon 10X Jet Dining
Entertaining spaces aboard the Falcon 10X. Credit: Dassault Falcon

As the first Dassault business jet to be powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl engines, the new Dassault Falcon 10X can achieve a top speed of Mach 0.925 and, with a nautical mile range of 7,500, will be able to fly nonstop from New York to Shanghai, Los Angeles to Sydney, Hong Kong to New York or even Paris to Santiago.

Dassault Falcon 10X Stateroom
Stateroom with queen bed aboard the Falcon 10X. Credit: Dassault Falcon

Created as a “penthouse suite in the sky,” the Dassault Falcon 10X will offer greater modularity than any other aircraft in its class and a selection of multiple interior configurations.

Dassault Falcon 10X Jet Stateroom
Dassault’s “penthouse in the sky”. Credit: Dassault Falcon

The 10X is large enough to accommodate four-cabin zones of equal length, but owners can configure their cabin as they desire to create a living space to best suit their needs, including an expanded dining/conference area, a dedicated entertainment area with a large-screen monitor, a private stateroom with a queen-size bed or an enlarged master suite with a private stand-up shower.

Dassault Falcon 10X Jet Bathroom
Private ensuite bathroom of the stateroom. Credit: Dassault Aviation

“Today we are introducing a new benchmark in business aviation,” said Dassault Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. “The Falcon 10X will offer an unrivalled passenger experience over both short- and long-duration flights, along with breakthrough safety features from Dassault’s frontline fighter technology. We have optimized every aspect of the aircraft with the passenger in mind and established a new level of capability for ultra-long-range aircraft.”

Dassault Falcon 10X Jet Galley
Galley option for the Dassault Falcon 10X. Credit: Dassault Aviation

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending