EC175

[Savoia]

EC175 Certification Completed

Airbus Helicopters’ highlights for the coming 12 months include the delivery start-up of its new EC175, which successfully completed the certification process yesterday – to be followed by the type certificate’s issuance within the next several days. The EC175 marks Airbus Helicopters’ first application for its state-of-the-art Helionix avionics, which enhances safety and operability.

http://www.verticalmag.com/news/arti...e#.Uuqw-z2Swnk

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

EC175 Cold Weather Trials

In late January, Airbus Helicopters brought the new seven-ton EC175 to Canada for cold weather trials. Ferried from France to Canada aboard an Volga-Dnepr Airlines Antonov An-124, the aircraft arrived in Edmonton, Alta., on Jan. 24 with a team of 14 people, including test pilot Olivier Gensse, two flight test engineers and other support people from the EC175 program.





The aircraft was re-assembeled and flown to Yellowknife, N.W.T. where cold weather testing was expected to be completed within three weeks. The aircraft was supported by Airbus Helicopters in Canada as well as Great Slave Helicopters, who provided hangarage for the aircraft.

http://www.verticalmag.com/news/arti...a#.UvEwGGKSwnk

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

Airbus Increases EC175 Payload

Airbus Helicopter has increased the payload of its 7.5t EC175 helicopter by 300kg, which will help boost the aircraft’s range.

With the increased payload the EC175, designed specifically to support the offshore market, will see its range rise from the current 130nm to 160-170nm, says David Sharples, managing director of Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia.

Sharples made the disclosure during an interview with Flightglobal.


Airbus EC175

The additional payload will increase the type's maximum takeoff weight to 7.8t. Certification of the enhanced payload is expected by the end of 2016. The type originally received its certification at 7.5t in January 2014.

Sharples adds that the company has “active sales campaigns” for the EC175 in Vietnam and Thailand. Both countries were stops on the EC175’s Southeast Asian tour in late 2013, when the helicopter was demonstrated to potential customers and media in the region.

In Vietnam, the main interest is coming from the oil & gas market, where the larger EC225 is also used. Thailand’s government is interested in the VIP variant.

In addition, Sharples says that Airbus Helicopters sees strong potential for the EC175 in Myanmar.

In December, the company told Flightglobal that it anticipates a potential market for 30-50 EC175's in Southeast Asia between 2014-2019.

The “medium-twin” EC175 can carry 16-18 passengers and two crew in oil & gas missions. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C engines with dual channel FADEC.

Airbus Helicopter is also pitching the type for search and rescue, VIP, and para-public missions. Airbus Helicopters has received 65 orders for the type, with first deliveries to commence this year.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...ost-399413/

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

Highlights from the EC175's North Sea Tour, including comments from Teresa Broadbent Deputy CP Bristow, and David Rusbridge, Chief Training Captain Bristow:

[Aviafora Newsdesk]

First EC175 Delivered

Belgian helicopter operator NHV has accepted delivery of the first commercial EC175. “Today is a very special day for all of us. The delivery of this first EC175 is indeed a key milestone for NHV, for our customer community and for our company”, said Airbus Helicopters president Guillaume Faury.

A total of 16 EC175s have been ordered by NHV in its strategy of owning a young, modern fleet. NHV will begin EC175 service this month from the Dutch North Sea base of Den Helder.


Guillaume Faury, president and CEO Airbus Helicopters (left) shakes hands with Eric Van Hal, CEO of NHV

“We are proud to be the EC175’s first operator, continuing a long partnership with Airbus Helicopters that began in 1997 with a Dauphin rotorcraft, and which now includes Super Puma AS332 L2, EC155 B1 and EC145 helicopters,” explained Eric Van Hal, the CEO of NHV. “Our EC175s are joining an industry-leading fleet of Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft that was expanded through the announcement of our merger this year with Blueway.”

The EC175 is certified to the latest airworthiness standards, covering both the helicopter and its new Helionix avionics suite – providing increased safety through reduced pilot workload, enhanced situational awareness, improved flight envelope protection and system redundancy.

http://www.airbushelicopters.com/sit...es_310.html