Airbus Helicopters late last week received certification from the FAA for its H160 medium-class twin—exactly three years after it received EASA certification and eight years after the helicopter was first announced as a replacement for the company's AS365 and H155. The approval clears the way for deliveries into the U.S.
Airbus first applied for FAA certification approval for the H160 in 2014 and applied for an extension in 2016. The helicopter received EASA certification on July 1, 2020; however, various novel design features outside the existing parameters of FAR Part 29 slowed the U.S. approval process, which Airbus executives had hoped would be received as early as 2021.
U.S. launch customer PHI Aviation will operate four Airbus H160s to support Shell Exploration & Production in the Gulf of Mexico under a 10-year contract from its base in Houma, Louisiana. Entry into service in the U.S. will be facilitated by the addition of North America’s first H160 level-D full flight simulator. The simulator is expected to be ready for use as early as the second half of 2025 at the Helisim Simulation Center inside the Airbus Helicopters facility in Grand Prairie, Texas. It will join an existing H160 simulator in Marignane, France, that became operational in August 2020.
Bombardier took steps to further reinforce its supply chain through the acquisition of Latécoère’s electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) business in Querétaro, Mexico, the Canadian airframer announced today. Terms of the transaction, which closed less than four months after an agreement was announced, were not disclosed.
In announcing the deal in March, Latécoère said that it would continue to develop its own EWIS activities from its site in Hermosillo, Mexico, within a co-located aerostructures and wiring facility. The Tier 1 supplier further emphasized that Bombardier would remain a customer for its North America business.
This acquisition enables Bombardier to take key EWIS activities in-house and secure both the expertise and assets to manufacture electrical harnesses, the company said, adding that the move is in alignment with insourcing initiatives designed to improve its supply chain.
“The Bombardier team is pleased to complete this strategic and mutually beneficial acquisition,” said David Murray, executive v-p of manufacturing, IT, and Bombardier operational excellence system. “This agreement allows Bombardier to continue to strengthen its position as an industry leader in Querétaro, Mexico, and to confirm its position as a flagship company of the Mexican aerospace industry.”
In addition, the move comes as Latécoère completed a restructuring and recapitalization of its business as it continues to bounce back from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The $55 billion civil helicopter market will continue its robust recovery in the coming years, according to a forecast from consultancy IBA. Market-specific factors driving the recovery include the easing of supply-chain constraints, continued growth of helicopter leasing, expansion of helicopter EMS and wind farm service, and increasing demand for super-medium helicopters. Overall, IBA sees 2023 deliveries of civil turbine engine helicopters to fall in the 475 to 525-unit range against an in-service fleet of 22,000 aircraft.
The picture appears brightest for light and medium helicopters, which include the Airbus H125 and H145 and the Bell 407. IBA estimates up to 360 deliveries in this class in 2023, above its five-year annual average of 350. IBA predicts continued growth in this class as helicopter EMS goes from 14 to 19 percent of the overall helicopter market and wind turbine servicing increases from 4 to 7 percent.
Meanwhile, deliveries of intermediate and medium-class helicopters, a group that includes the AW139 and Bell 412, should see a notable increase this year, to 75—up 20 units from last year. This demand is being driven by offshore, EMS, and search-and-rescue missions.
IBA expects new production of heavy helicopters to be a scant four deliveries this year. And the super-medium class, which includes the Leonardo AW189 and Airbus H175, is predicted to account for just 10 deliveries this year, the consultancy said.
The FAA has updated its advisory circular (AC) on operations near and at non-towered airports. Revised AC 90-66C calls attention to regulations, recommended operations, and communications procedures for operating at an airport without a control tower or with a part-time control tower. The AC provides guidance for safe operations by all types of aircraft and related activities, such as parachuting.
A major portion of the AC is devoted to pilots continually transmitting position information and traffic pattern procedures. According to the document, “The FAA does not regulate traffic pattern entry, only traffic pattern flow.” This means that when entering the traffic pattern at an uncontrolled airport, inbound pilots are expected to observe other aircraft already in the pattern and to conform to the traffic pattern in use. Aircraft flying under IFR and on the final approach course should “follow the requirements dictated by the approach procedure.”
While the FAA doesn’t recommend straight-in approaches when there are other aircraft in the traffic pattern, if a pilot chooses to execute a straight-in approach for landing without entering the pattern, “the pilot should self-announce their position on the designated CTAF [common traffic advisory frequency] between eight and approximately 10 miles from the airport and coordinate their straight-in approach and landing with other airport traffic.” The circular emphasizes that pilots shooting a straight-in approach “do not have priority over other aircraft in the traffic pattern.”
Aviation Safety Question of the Week
Provided by
What is the effect of higher-than-ISA air temperatures on true airspeed (TAS)?
A. TAS increases as compared to the same TAS in ISA.
B. TAS decreases as compared to the same TAS in ISA.
C. No change—TAS is calculated by the air data computer.
D. TAS increases as compared to the same TAS in ISA, but only at really high air temperatures such as when approaching the transonic region.
Daher today completed its acquisition of aerospace manufacturing group Assistance Aéronautique et Aérospatiale (AAA). The combination of the two companies, which was announced in February, constitutes a significant consolidation within France’s aerospace supply chain, with AAA adding some 2,000 employees and annual revenues of €200 million ($218 million) to Daher.
As part of Daher’s “Take Off 2027” strategic plan, the company aims to strengthen its position across four complementary businesses: aircraft production, manufacturing, manufacturing services, and logistics. Announcing the closing of the merger, Daher said that AAA will provide additional bandwidth in areas such as assembling and installing aerostructures, systems, and engines, as well as flight-line services, maintenance, industrialization, and quality support. It also pointed to AAA’s strengths in training a skilled workforce at a time when the shortage of skills has become a significant factor in ongoing supply chain problems in the aviation industry.
Outside of France, AAA has subsidiaries and holdings in Canada, the U.S., Germany, Qatar, China, and the Philippines. Daher has appointed Cédric Eloy as CEO of its new business unit, supported by deputy general manager Sylvain Ruellé. Daher has not said specifically whether AAA will now directly support manufacturing of its TBM and/or Kodiak aircraft.
Ohio State University Airport (KOSU) is the latest location to join the Avfuel-branded dealer network. The fourth-busiest airfield in the state, it is owned by The Ohio State University, making it one of a handful of airports in the country operated by universities.
A dedicated general aviation airport, and a general aviation reliever for John Glenn Columbus International Airport, KOSU is located just seven miles from the main campus and 10 miles from the downtown Columbus business district. It houses the university’s aeronautics and aviation campus, including its full-service FBO.
The modern terminal features a glass-enclosed atrium with an indoor observation deck. Other amenities include a pilot lounge, snooze rooms, shower facilities, pilot shop, onsite car rental, complimentary snacks, and crew cars.
KOSU's staff is NATA Safety 1st-certified, and Mark Fletcher, general manager of the FBO and manager of airport services, said he looks forward to enhancing that with the fuel provider’s online training system. “This whole airport is a classroom, so the fuel safety training Avfuel makes available is a value-add for our staff and student employees,” he explained, adding that Avfuel contract fuel will be a benefit for many of the university’s collaborators and corporate partners visiting the campus. The location will also participate in Avfuel’s customer loyalty program.
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