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2022-10-01

Technology H125 Helicopter A Multi-Mission Workhorse

Airbus’ H125 continues to lead the single-engine helicopter market in all mission segments thanks to its high performance and multi-role capacity.

The strength of the H125 (previously named the AS350 B3e) is reflected through its outstanding performance, versatility, low maintenance, and low acquisition costs. To cap it all, the helicopter excels in high, hot and extreme environments. The H125 is a member of Airbus’ rugged and proven Ecureuil family. Some 6,770 members of the Ecureuil family (AS350, AS355, AS550, AS555, H125, H125M, EC130, H130) have been delivered in nearly 120 countries for close to 2,000 operators. Together, these rotorcraft have accumulated almost 36 million flight hours.

Some 1,100 H125/AS350 B3e rotorcraft currently are in service worldwide, and are primarily used for high-performance missions in high and hot conditions.

With 40 years of experience and several hundred supplemental type certificates (STC) developed for it – plus optional equipment proposed by Airbus Helicopters – the H125 is a multi-mission rotorcraft capable of changing configuration in a short amount of time.

World Records

The H125 has broken world records throughout its career. In 2005, the AS350 B3 broke the world record for the highest-altitude landing and takeoff, performed on Mount Everest at 8,848 metres (29,029 feet) — a title still held today. In May 2013, the AS350 B3 performed the world’s highest long-line rescue operation on Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest mountain, located in the Himalayas, at 7,800 metres (25,590 feet).

Superior Design

The design is a conventional pod-and-boom with a power plant above cabin that drives a three-blade main rotor with a Starflex rotor head. All versions now have lifting section composites main rotor blades. The main rotor turns at 394 revolutions per minute (rpm), the tail rotor at 2,086 rpm, and both are made of composite materials that are designed to minimise corrosion and maintenance requirements. It has steel tube skid landing gear.

The AS350 offers multiple cabin configurations for between four and six passengers. Large sliding doors can be fitted to either side of the cabin, which in turn can be fitted out to be rapidly reconfigured to switch between roles. It performs well in hot-and-high operations and can support aerial work, emergency medical services, law enforcement, passenger transport and private aviation.

Public service operators often install forward looking infrared cameras and other mission systems, and optional equipment includes real-time data links, rescue hoists, underslung cargo hooks, electrical external mirrors, search lights, tactical consoles, night vision goggle-compatibility, moving-map system, internal cabin tie-downs, second battery kit, sand filters, wire strike protection system, four-channel radio, tail rotor arch, cabin floor windows and removable seats.

The AS350 was developed to comply with low noise requirements, and the in-cabin noise levels allow conversation during flight. It can be quickly started up and shut down, useful during emergency medical services roles. It is equipped with hydraulically-assisted flight controls that remain operational in the event of a hydraulic failure.

The H125 is equipped with a Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2D turboshaft engine with a dual-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC) unit, plus a third independent and automatic back-up channel and an automatic start-up. The engine is fitted with a data recorder.

Built-in Manoeuvrability

With built-in manoeuvrability, excellent visibility and low vibration levels in the cabin, the H125 has earned its reputation as a true multi-mission workhorse, becoming a common sight at heliports, hospital landing pads, police department operations centres and airports around the world.

H125’s cabin has a flat floor that can be quickly reconfigured for various missions, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, and passenger transport.

The H125 offers pilots enhanced safety and reduced workload thanks to the glass touchscreen cockpit instrument panel with Garmin G500H TXi and Vehicle & Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD), developed for Airbus. The VEMD allows pilots to check the main vehicle and engine parameters with just a glance.

In addition, the baseline H125 is now equipped with a crash-resistant fuel system fully compliant to 27.952 guidelines for swing load operations.

Multiple Configurations

Four passengers: The one pilot and four passenger configuration is ideal for VIP or private and business aviation. With forward-facing seats and a spacious cabin, passengers can make the most of their time in the air.

Five passengers: The H125’s standard seating configuration of one pilot and five passengers complements commercial transport operations. Passengers benefit from ample legroom and a comfortable ride.

Six passengers: The six-passenger configuration is often used by tourism and sightseeing operators. The H125’s compact cabin means every passenger has the opportunity for breath-taking views.

Impressive Sling Capacity

The H125 can easily be reconfigured for various aerial work missions with a wide range of optional equipment to get the job done, whatever the environment and mission requirement.

Missions include air crane operations, firefighting, power line inspection, crop spraying, news gathering, parachuting, geological and wildlife survey, farming and fishing activities.

The helicopter is up to the most rigorous high and hot missions, able to transport its own empty weight with an impressive sling capacity of 1,400 kg (3,086 lb).

Increased performance in high and hot environments has been certified to improve hover ceiling OGE (out of ground effect) at maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) up to 12,600 ft (up to 13,400 ft with BLR FastFin). For external loads at 7,000 ft at ISA, operators can gain up to 140 kg (up to 190 kg with BLR FastFin).

The H125 can be equipped with a “lean” instrument panel and maximum pilot view kit or additional dual roof windows that increase visibility. A first limit indicator (FLI) remote display STC developed by AKV provides flight limitations at a glance on tablets via Bluetooth to simplify pilot workload during external load operations.

Variety of Equipment

The H125 is operated by police forces in some 30 countries around the world and is the reference for airborne law enforcement in the United States.

It is well adapted for multi-role law enforcement missions including surveillance, command and control, search and pursuit, rescue, special operations, escort and border patrol in high and hot conditions.

A variety of equipment has been developed for police missions, such as law enforcement instrument panels, search lights, electro-optical system (EOS), operator consoles, night vision goggle (NVG)-compatible light sourcing and instruments, wire strike protection, loudspeakers, downlink, rappelling, etc.

Passenger Transport

Thanks to its wide, unobstructed cabin, fast cruise speed and long range, the H125 can welcome up to six passengers. The helicopter offers easy cabin access through two wide sliding doors, forward-facing seats and three baggage compartments.

In addition to the air conditioned and roomy cabin, passengers experience low vibration levels for maximum comfort. A high-end interior design, called ACH Line, is available from Airbus for operators who seek both functionality and luxury in passenger transport.

Airbus’ ACH125 — which is based on the company’s proven H125 rotorcraft and tailored for private and business aviation — outclasses all other single-engine helicopters.

As a market-leading helicopter in the North American emergency medical services (EMS) market, the H125 offers enhanced cabin space with the lean instrument panel.

When configured for vital lifesaving and emergency medical transportation, it can carry up to four people (one pilot, one patient and two attendants), plus medical equipment.

Brazilian Model

The Brazilian armed forces, through the Combat Aircraft Programme Coordinating Committee (COPAC), have acquired 27 single engine H125 helicopters recently to boost the training capacity of the Brazilian Navy and the Air Force.

The H125 will be produced in the H125 final assembly line located in Itajubá, Brazil at Helibras’ factory. These new helicopters will replace the ageing AS350 and Bell 206 helicopters currently in service with the Brazilian Air Force and the Brazilian Navy respectively.

The new H125 helicopters will have a G500H TXi double glass cockpit and VEMD (Vehicle & Engine Multifunction Display) and will be compatible with the use of night vision goggles (NVG). They will also include different types of mission equipment such as a winch and a hook so that the training of future pilots is as representative of their missions as possible.

Service Network

Wherever customers operate, a member of Airbus’ worldwide service network is said to be nearby to provide the support needed to keep their H125s flying.

This network includes 30 customer centres and affiliate sites, along more than 100 distributors, representatives, training centres, repair and overhaul facilities and maintenance centres, as well as logistics hubs in France, Hong Kong and Germany.

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