Airbus Helicopters H175 Overview

Airbus Helicopters H175

The Airbus Helicopters H175 is a 12-passenger, twin-engine, super-medium rotorcraft that operates in a variety of roles. It resulted from joint development efforts by then-Eurocopter and China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II) beginning in 2005. The type attained over 110 formal purchase options from 13 operators during its official unveiling at the 2008 Heli-Expo and has continued to find a share of the market with first responders, offshore crew-change outfits, law enforcement, search and rescue, government VIP transport, and private/business aviation clients.

Airbus Helicopters markets a luxury-minded variant specifically for corporate and VIP usage, known as the ACH175. With a 12-passenger capacity and four-plus hours of endurance, alongside a full complement of luxury interior options, the H175 is an excellent option when larger passenger volume is required.

Performance

The standard H175 offers a ferry range of 590 nautical miles, endurance of five hours and 45 minutes, and a top speed of 160 knots. Two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67E engines, each generating 1,776 shaft horsepower, allowed the H175 to capture the three- and six-kilometer time-to-climb records in the seven-ton class in 2014, gaining altitude at a rate of roughly one kilometer per minute. The aircraft sports a maximum takeoff weight of 17,196 pounds and features a 4,555-pound fuel capacity. The ACH variant adds fuel cells that allow for an extended range of up to 613 nautical miles. Maximum operating altitude is 15,000 feet.

Dimensions

The H175’s cabin is sizable, allowing for 18 passengers and two pilots in the maximum-capacity configuration and up to 12 passengers in the luxury-oriented ACH model. The aircraft can be configured several other ways as well, including a two pilot, six-passenger search-and-rescue layout, a 16-seat offshore transport format, and 8- to 10-seat private and business aviation configurations. Modularity is a primary selling point of the H175, and its service with such varied operators is a testament to its success in the swing-role market.