News Avionics
Airbus H125 gets a power boost

Airbus Helicopters received EASA certification to upgrade its single-engine H125 helicopter, increasing the aircraft’s power by up to 10 per cent by using the existing Safran Helicopter Engines’ Arriel 2D.

While the maximum take-off weight of the aircraft remains unchanged, its external and internal load lifting capabilities are increased for a large part of the flight domain (by up to +140 kg), while the hover ceiling OGE at maximum take-off weight is increased by more than 1,500 ft (up to 12,600 ft).

Axel Aloccio, Head of Light Helicopters Program, said in a statement, “The extra power offered by this major upgrade represents a 10 per cent to 20 per cent payload increase for a typical aerial work mission versus the aircraft’s current lifting capabilities.” Aloccio added that the H125 offers value for money and payload.

This extra power will be included as a standard feature, at no additional cost, on all new-built H125s delivered from September 2021 onwards. A retrofit solution consisting of a VEMD software upgrade, available from Thales via an in-shop retrofit or standard exchange, will also be available for all H125s already in service within the EASA region by the end of April 2021. Additional international certifications are expected to be obtained in the coming months.

In the last 10 years 1,420 H125s have been delivered, resulting in a 52 per cent market share.