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2024-12-11

Airbus H135 set to Take RCAF Training to New Altitudes

Airbus Helicopters has secured a major contract with SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, to supply 19 H135 helicopters to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

The deal will see Airbus helicopters flying in Canadian skies for the first time, as part of the country’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Programme.

The twin-engine helicopters will be completed and delivered from Airbus Helicopters’ industrial facility located in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. They will feature Canadian-developed Supplemental Type Certificates, including advanced modifications to the avionics suite and communications systems, along with tailored cockpit enhancements. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in the first half of 2026.

“Securing the Airbus H135 fleet for the RCAF is an important milestone for SkyAlyne and the FAcT Programme as it solidifies a core element of the programme schedule,” commented Kevin Lemke, SkyAlyne’s senior executive. “The selection of H135 from Airbus Helicopters contributes meaningfully to the Canadian economy and SkyAlyne is proud to be building a world-leading Pilot and Aircrew training programme for the RCAF while supporting Canadian jobs.”

Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, stated: “Entering into this partnership with SkyAlyne and the Department of National Defence is a historic moment for Airbus Helicopters in Canada. We thank the Royal Canadian Air Force for placing their trust in Airbus and the H135, joining 12 other militaries around the world that employ H135 to train future aviators.”

Support and Services Package

The agreement consists of H135 aircraft acquisition and a support and services package, support for the development of a Ground-Based Training Solution, and advanced engineering support for the release to service.

With over 400,000 flight hours in dedicated military training roles, the helicopter is used for basic ab-initio training, advanced Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) instruction, and tactical training. It is trusted by several of Canada’s military allies, including Australia and the United Kingdom.

As a comprehensive training platform, it develops core pilot skills with its twin engines and advanced avionics, ensuring a smooth, safe transition to more complex helicopters in the Royal Canadian Air Force fleet. It joins other Airbus aircraft in Canadian defence service, including the Airbus 310 (CC150 Polaris), Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (CC330 Husky), and Airbus C295 (CC295 Kingfisher).

Since 1984, Airbus Helicopters has delivered nearly 600 helicopters in Canada. In 2023, the Canadian fleet of 760 in-service helicopters accumulated over 275,000 flight hours.

The Fort Erie facility specialises in gearboxes and composite components for Airbus platforms. Each year, Airbus Helicopters ships 34,000 parts from Fort Erie to customers around the globe.

Precision Training Platform

The three-tonne helicopter is an ideal platform for military pilot training, advancing aviators’ skills and readying them for complex missions. It’s also the Spanish Navy’s choice for challenging naval operations, with its first H135s set to reach Initial Operational Capability by late 2024.

In addition to providing a sophisticated platform with advanced avionics and the ability to train in various configurations, the H135 is easy to maintain. More than 1,400 of these twin-engine helicopters are in service worldwide.

Its quick role-change capability, coupled with cabin versatility, enables crew training in different mission configurations, including utility, surveillance, medical evacuation and other specialised applications.

With the Airbus-developed Helionix avionics, it integrates an advanced cockpit and the most modern human-machine interface. It enables full IFR capabilities for operations in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

It provides student pilots with an easy transition to larger helicopters.

Training programmes in IFR flight, tactical manoeuvres, night vision goggles and crew resource management can be downloaded onto the H135 for cost-efficient training, thereby requiring only a type-specific familiarisation course for pilots when they transition to more advanced rotorcraft.

It is the quietest helicopter in its class, with certified sound levels well below the ICAO limit.

Elevated performance

The H135’s Helionix avionics offer superiority for flight envelope protection, pilot assistance and situational awareness, resulting in high safety levels.

The avionics’ open architecture and modular design incorporate embedded functions, as well as the capability for the further integration of additional mission requirements.

Helionix is available on civil and military versions of Airbus’ H145, H175 and H160 rotorcraft, making the H135 a perfect trainer for these helicopter types.

The plug-and-play design philosophy, in which optional equipment such as hoists or ventilators can be swapped out with equipment from other helicopters, enables it to undergo a quick makeover for service in passenger transportation, disaster relief, search and rescue, VIP airlift and other missions.

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