Aerospace

Airbus Helicopters H160 granted FAA certification

The H160 helicopter from Airbus Helicopters has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which represents an important development step and positions the aircraft for sale in the United States.

The H160 is a ground-breaking medium-class rotorcraft that raises the bar for environmental performance, comfort, and safety. It is equipped with cutting-edge technologies, such as Fenestron tail rotors with canting for increased useable load and Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix avionics suite for lessened pilot effort, as well as Blue Edge rotor blades that reduce noise.

Meet airbus most expensive VIP Helicopter H160 : Price, Specification and design.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The H160 was previously approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in July 2020, and it has since gained popularity with clients all around the world. More than 100 H160s have been ordered by clients across the world, including more than a dozen from the United States. The H160 has been in use for more than 1700 flight hours across its fleet, which is present in Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Europe.

The H160 is a versatile helicopter that excels at performing a wide range of tasks, including offshore transportation for the oil sector, private and business aviation, emergency medical services, commercial passenger transport, and public services including search and rescue and law enforcement. The H160 provides operators with a superior degree of performance and versatility because to its remarkable range, speed, and efficiency.

Airbus delivers world’s first H160 in Japan(Opens in a new browser tab)

The addition of the first H160 level D full flight simulator (FFS) in North America has been previously announced as part of ongoing preparations for the H160’s seamless introduction into service. The Helisim Simulation Centre inside of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. will house the FFS, which is anticipated to be operational as early as the second half of 2025.

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.