KUALA LUMPUR: Airbus' next generation twin-engine H160 helicopter has been granted type certification by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), paving the way for the rotorcraft's entry into the Malaysian market.
Airbus Helicopters Malaysia managing director, Axel de Pascal, said the timely H160 certification underlines the country's vote of confidence in its latest offering which will fly the Malaysia skies in the coming months.
"This achievement fully demonstrated the strong collaboration between Airbus and CAAM in ensuring thorough assessments that comply with the highest safety standards. We look forward to the H160 supporting critical missions in the country soon," he said in a statement today (December 11).
Airbus informed that this came shortly after the aircraft manufacturer received Transport Canada Civil Aviation type certification of the model.
The H160 was already certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the US Federal Aviation Administration and Japan Civil Aviation Bureau.
The H160 is an innovative medium-class helicopter that sets a new benchmark in terms of safety, comfort, and environmental performance.
It features cutting-edge technologies, including noise-reducing Blue Edge rotor blades, a canted Fenestron tail rotor for greater useful load, and Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite for reduced pilot workload.
"With a 15 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and 50 per cent reduction in perceived sound, the H160 allows customers to take a step toward reducing their environmental footprint.
"The H160 now has customers for all key mission segments that it was designed to address: energy, private and business aviation, emergency medical services, search-and-rescue, law enforcement and military," it said.
Globally, the H160 fleet has already accumulated more than 2,800 flight hours, according to Airbus. — Bernama