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Focus on safety: Airbus Helicopters develops with helicopter operators the rotorcraft industry’s first Flight Crew Operating Manual

Best practices and recommendations are provided for EC225s in oil and gas missions

Marignane, France, 10 December 2014

Airbus Helicopters is working together with Helicopter Operators to develop a Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM) for EC225 aircraft that are utilized for oil and gas missions, marking the first such source document created in the rotorcraft sector, and further reinforcing the company’s safety initiatives in cooperation with operators and industry stakeholders.

This initial source document incorporates aircraft manufacturer guidance for enhanced operational safety during routine situations, as well as increased efficiency; and it will be further developed to include abnormal situations.

Topics covered by the EC225 FCOM include procedures for operating state-of-the-art glass cockpits, a focus on automated systems, and guidance on work-share among pilots – also known as Crew Resource Management (CRM).

© Airbus Helicopters / Anthony Pecchi - 2012

“The FCOM is a joint initiative between Airbus Helicopters and some offshore operators to better meet users’ needs, providing an information source that contributes to standardized operations in the offshore sector, with the ultimate goal of increasing safety throughout the industry,” explained Gilles Bruniaux, Airbus Helicopters Vice President of Aviation Safety. “We are proud to be the first in offering such a resource to our customers, some of whom played an integral role in outlining this FCOM for these specific operations.”

Gretchen Haskins, CEO of global offshore helicopter safety trade association HeliOffshore welcomed the new manual: “We applaud these initial steps by Airbus Helicopters on this important safety information and look forward to supporting the further development of the FCOM. Working together, we can help ensure best practice is available and being used to achieve the highest standards of safety for the passengers and crew who fly offshore.”

The initial FCOM issue will be followed by updates to expand the content, and additional manuals are planned for other Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft deployed in oil and gas missions – including the new EC175.

Availability of the EC225’s FCOM is via Airbus Helicopters’ e-TechPub (Customer Portal), and is being offered free of charge through 2015.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Airbus Helicopters’ first enhanced EC135 T3/P3 enters service with Aiut Alpin Dolomites in high-altitude rescue operations

Pontives, Italy, 9 December 2014

The world’s newest light-weight twin-engine rotorcraft is now in service with the operational start-up of Airbus Helicopters’ upgraded EC135 T3/P3 of Aiut Alpin Dolomites – a northern Italy-based Alpine mountain rescue service.

Aiut Alpin Dolomites’ operations benefit from Airbus Helicopters’ enhancements incorporated in this latest variant of the versatile EC135 family, which include significant power reserves for increased safety margins during flight and while maneuvering; an improved flight envelope, especially in hot-and-high environments; and an increased maximum takeoff weight of 2,980 kg.

The upgraded EC135 is available in two versions with its corresponding upgraded engine options: Turbomeca’s Arrius 2B2 “Plus” for the EC135 T3; and Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PWC 206B3 for the EC135 P3.

EC135 T3/P3 © Airbus Helicopters / Charles Abarr - 2014

“The EC135 T3/P3 represents Airbus Helicopters’ commitment to the continual improvement of our products, further improving a helicopter family that already is the worldwide reference for airborne emergency medical services, law enforcement and other critical missions,” said Wolfgang Schoder, CEO of Airbus Helicopters Germany, which builds the EC135 at its Donauwörth industrial facility.

Aiut Alpin Dolomites – a voluntary mountain rescue association performing some 700 air rescue operations annually, often in difficult and challenging conditions – selected the EC135 T3 configuration. The association currently operates an EC135 T2, which is deployed on the steep slopes and ski areas of the Dolomite mountains. Aiut Alpin Dolomites is also called upon to provide emergency and medical services at special events such as auto racing.
“The EC135 T3’s improvements are impressive,” commented Raffel Kostner, one of the founders of Aiut Alpin Dolomites, after a demonstration flight in the association’s new helicopter today. “It provides the rescue teams with tremendous power reserves and augmented performance for the high-altitude missions that are an integral part of our operations.”

Enhancements to the EC135 T3/P3 range from an enlarged main rotor and modernization of the FADEC full-authority digital flight control software to a cockpit with fully integrated avionics for navigation and communications. Among the most visible changes are the elimination of horizontal stabilizer endplates utilized on other EC135 versions, the integration of lateral engine air intakes and the use of a new mini tail bumper.

Aiut Alpin Dolomites’ EC135 T3 also is equipped with Airbus Helicopters’ new optional multifunctional floor, which is specifically tailored for emergency medical services (EMS) missions and replaces the need for a second floor – thereby saving weight.

Airbus Helicopters has delivered nearly 1,200 EC135s to customers around the globe, which have logged more than 3 million flight hours. One-quarter of this total fleet is deployed for EMS duties.

About Aiut Alpin Dolomites
Aiut Alpin Dolomites is a voluntary association registered in the Authorities of Social Economic Utility Registrar (Onlus) performing aerial mountain rescue. It is formed by seventeen individual Mountain Rescue Teams which are associated and operate mainly in the Ladin Valleys of the Dolomites mountain range. Officially founded in 1990, Aiut Alpin Dolomites has performed more than 10,000 mountain and ski slope missions primarily in the neighboring Dolomites on behalf of the Bozen public safety answer point. In addition to mountain rescue, Aiut Alpin Dolomites also handles roadway missions, medical emergencies, occupational accidents and hospital transport in and outside of Italy.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Airbus Helicopters delivers three TH-135 training helicopters to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

Tokyo, 5 December 2014

Airbus Helicopters Japan has successfully handed over three TH-135 training helicopters to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The three aircraft delivered between October and December are the JMSDF’s 11th, 12th and 13th units.

The TH-135 is a variant of Airbus Helicopters’ light twin-engine EC135 T2+ which has been customized for JMSDF. Meant to replace their single-engine training helicopter fleet, deliveries of the TH-135 began in 2009 and have been in operation since 2011.

“The on-time delivery of all 13 TH-135 helicopters so far has been a great achievement,” said Stephane Ginoux, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Japan. “We are also providing our full support for the maintenance and operation of the fleet, including prompt delivery of spare parts and technical support, to ensure the safe and efficient training of JMSDF pilots.”

© Airbus Helicopters Japan - Chikako HIRANO 2014

Tailored for advanced training missions, the EC135 is well adapted for air crew of defense forces operating new-generation multi-role or combat helicopters. Japan was one of the first countries in Asia to acquire the TH-135 variant for its training, with Australia being the latest to join the increasing number of countries around the world to adopt this helicopter type for their training systems.

A total of nearly 1,200 EC135s have been delivered worldwide for a variety of missions ranging from pilot training and law enforcement to emergency medical services and search and rescue. The high operation rate and ease of maintenance contributing to its low life-cycle cost has made the EC135 a popular aircraft in Japan, where about 80 of such helicopter types are operating in the country today in multiple missions.

About Airbus Helicopters Japan
Airbus Helicopters Japan, formerly Eurocopter Japan, was established in 2009 as the Japanese customer center of Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus Group. It is the first foreign affiliated aircraft manufacturer to carry out direct sales, training, and customer support activities in the Japanese aeronautical sector. There are approximately 290 employees allocated at four locations, including Tokyo and Kobe. With more than 50 years of in-country presence, Airbus Helicopters Japan confirms its leadership position with a 54 percent market share overall in Japan (civil and parapublic sectors). Airbus Helicopters Japan makes Japan’s sky safer, more reliable and cost-efficient by providing high quality products and services.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Airbus Helicopters appoints Yves Barillé as Vice President of Corporate Communications

Marignane, France, December 3, 2014

Yves Barillé has been appointed as Airbus Helicopters' Vice President of Corporate Communications.

As of March 2015, Yves Barillé will report to CEO Guillaume Faury and manage all internal and external communication activities for Airbus Helicopters.

© MBDA / Sidonie Deschamps / 2010

Yves Barillé has held the position since March 2008 of Group Communications Director at MBDA, a world leader in the missile and missile systems sector.

After obtaining a master’s degree in Communications, Yves Barillé, 48, began his career at the Headquarters of Aerospatiale in 1991, before joining Internal Communications at Aerospatiale Airbus in Toulouse in 1992. He then joined Matra BAe Dynamics in 2000, preparing the integration of the companies which came together to form MBDA in 2001. Prior to his Director role, he was MBDA’s Group Head of Internal Communications and Deputy Communications Director.

As Airbus Helicopters’ new Vice President of Corporate Communications, he succeeds Cécile Vion-Lanctuit, who is pursuing another professional opportunity.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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50,000 trainees in 50 years: Airbus Helicopters Training Services reaffirms its commitment to safety

Marignane, France, 2 December 2014

Airbus Helicopters Training Services (AHTS) has completed the instruction of its 50,000th trainee, marking a new achievement for this wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters.

This milestone was achieved during an EC225 rotorcraft T1 type rating course for mechanics, and the accomplishment was celebrated during a ceremony at Airbus Helicopters Training Services’ facilities in Marignane, France, in the presence of Hervé Berriet, General Manager of the Airbus Helicopters Training Center and Matthieu Louvot, Airbus Helicopters Senior Vice President Support & Services.

During the ceremony, Mr. Berriet recognized the teams from Era Helicopters and the Chinese State Grid General Aviation Company (SGGAC) who participated in the milestone training course.

© Airbus Helicopters / Eric Raz - 2014

“Our instructor and manager at AHTS cared a lot about us, and thanks to them we learned a lot of useful information about the EC225,” said Zengbo Guo, mechanic at the Chinese State Grid General Aviation Company (SGGAC). “It was an honor and a surprise to be a part of this 50,000th trainee celebration.”
“Safety is the number one factor in our work and this was a major focus in our course, where we were shown the proper way to use the manuals and implement procedures,” explained Yann Nervesa, EC225 Delegated Inspector at ERA Helicopters. “We are very proud to be a part of this great milestone with Airbus Helicopters.”
Airbus Helicopters Training Services provides high-quality instruction for pilots and maintenance technicians (mechanics & avionics). Its certified courses utilize the latest multimedia training means and technical documentation; while the team of 82 instructors continuously innovates to keep pace with the changing regulatory environment, evolving technologies and developing mission requirements worldwide.

“Our values during our five decades of service have never wavered: safety as the most important priority, quality and training innovation, enabling the most efficient and cost effective operations for our customers,” explained Mr. Berriet.

Resources available at the training center in southeastern France include 32 fully-equipped instruction classrooms, cockpit trainers and full-scale maintenance training helicopters, which are hydraulically and electrically powered or the Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft product line and autopilot functional test benches. Finally, Airbus Helicopters Training Services also provides a comprehensive and realistic training on Flight Navigation Procedures Trainers (FNPT) for the EC175 and AS350.

“Airbus Helicopters supports the diverse training needs of its customers through a proximity network of 25 training centers around the world,” said Mr. Louvot. “AHTS is the front runner of this network and the outstanding quality of its training has drawn 50,000 trainees – and counting – to its facilities, supporting Airbus Helicopters’ commitment to the safety of its customers.”

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Successful First Flight of Airbus Helicopters' EC645 T2

Bundeswehr to receive the first helicopters in this series in late 2015

Donauwörth, November 27, 2014

Airbus Helicopters’ newest lightweight military multi-role helicopter, the EC645 T2 (LUH SOF), has successfully completed its first flight. In the presence of representatives of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), which has ordered the first of this new helicopter type, the EC645 T2 demonstrated its capacities at the company’s Donauwörth location in Bavaria.

“This first flight is a milestone in the EC645 T2 program and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this event with our customer,” said Ralf Barnscheidt, Head of the German Military Support Center. “We’re right on schedule to deliver the first EC645 T2 helicopters in the coming year. This is also a product of the close-knit collaboration between the Airbus Helicopters and Bundeswehr project teams.”

© Airbus Helicopters / Charles Abarr - 2014

The EC645 T2 is the military version of the civil EC145 T2 that entered into service this past summer. With a maximum takeoff weight of 3.7 tons, the EC645 T2 can be used for a wide range of military operations including transportation, reconnaissance, search and rescue, fire support, and evacuations of wounded personnel. The Bundeswehr has ordered 15 of these helicopters for the German Air Force. The EC645 T2 represents a significant addition to the German Air Force’s capabilities and offers a host of features that make it particularly well suited to missions carried out by the Special Forces Command (KSK).

Building on the robustness, low operating costs and the especially high operational availability of the EC145 family, the new EC645 T2 is equipped with the Helionix® digital avionics suite, including the 4-axis autopilot developed by Airbus Helicopters. This aircraft has been optimized for day and night missions as well as for those carried out in treacherous weather conditions. Its mission equipment range also includes a fast roping system for troops, cargo hooks, hoists, various weapons and electro-optical sensors. Ballistic protective equipment and an electronic countermeasures system that detects threats help protect the helicopter and crew. Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, the EC645 T2 is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). What’s more, noise emissions significantly below international limits make the EC645 T2 the quietest helicopter in its class.

The military version of the EC145 has proven its worth to customers around the world. For instance, the US Armed Forces operates more than 300 of this helicopter type, which Airbus Helicopters delivered on time and on budget. These aircraft achieve an operational availability of over 90 percent on average. The Royal Thai Armed Forces recently also ordered five EC645 T2 helicopters.

To view images and videos of the first flight, visit events.airbushelicopters.com

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

For more information please contact:

Airbus Helicopters welcomes approval of new aircrew training system EC135 T2+ helicopter the “ideal training platform” for new Army, Navy pilots

HMAS Albatross, Nowra, Australia, November 17, 2014

Airbus Helicopters has welcomed the Australian Government’s formal approval of a new Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Under the JP 9000 Phase 7 HATS project, a new joint helicopter training program for both Army and Navy aircrew will utilise some 15 EC135 T2+ helicopters, along with EC135 flight simulators and a new flight-deck equipped sea-going training vessel.

Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) is the prime contractor for the new training system, partnered by Thales Australia which will supply the flight simulators.

(Copyright Boeing Defence Australia)

“Airbus Helicopters is very pleased that the Boeing and Thales team has demonstrated its confidence in our product by selecting the EC135 T2+ as their preferred platform, and we are delighted to be supporting them in the development of a new, modern helicopter aircrew training system for the ADF”, says Peter Harris, Head of Sales – Australia Pacific.

“The selection of the Airbus Helicopters EC135 T2+ twin-engine, glass cockpit, helicopter is an excellent choice of an ideal training platform, along with the Thales full-motion EC135 flight-simulators,” Mr. Harris said.

“The EC135 T2+ can be equipped with a full range of additional mission equipment and is similar to the multi-role and combat helicopters now in service with the ADF. This ensures a smooth transition for student pilots as they graduate from a training environment to Army and Navy frontline squadrons, including those equipped with new-generation Tiger ARH and MRH90 helicopters”.

BDA’s HATS Program Manager James Heading said the Boeing and Thales team conducted a rigorous evaluation of available twin engine helicopters to identify the aircraft that best met the Commonwealth’s training system goals.

“By offering the EC135T2+ to the HATS Program, we are providing a mature and cost effective platform that meets training, technical and safety requirements of the Program and the future needs of the Australian Defence Force,” said Mr. Heading.

The EC135 T2+ is a consummate military training helicopter, offering a glass cockpit with high visibility, a multi-axis auto-pilot, the performance and safety of a twin-engine helicopter replacing current single types, plus other advanced technologies to help instructors perform training missions safely and provide the ADF with the flexibility to undertake additional missions.

The nearly 1,200 EC135 helicopters now delivered have clocked up over three million flight hours world-wide. The helicopter is part of successful training systems in Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Japan, and is in service in Australia with the Victorian and New South Wales police forces.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

For more information please contact: