Melbourne-based logistics and supply chain company Linfox Group has taken delivery of Australia’s first Airbus H160 helicopter, marking a significant milestone for next-generation rotorcraft in the country.
The delivery makes Linfox the first operator in Australia to put the twin-engine H160 into service. The helicopter will support the group’s business and corporate aviation requirements, operating across Australia’s varied geography from major urban centres to regional destinations.
A New Addition to Linfox Aviation
Linfox Aviation has selected an eight-passenger configuration for its H160, despite the aircraft being certified to carry up to 12 passengers.
The spacious cabin features large windows and a light, open interior, designed to provide passengers with a comfortable experience while making use of the helicopter’s advanced technology.
The H160 has been developed as a multi-role aircraft capable of supporting a wide range of operations, from private and business aviation to offshore transportation, emergency medical services, search and rescue and public safety missions.
For Linfox, its arrival represents an investment in a new generation of corporate aviation technology and adds one of Airbus Helicopters’ most advanced aircraft to its operations.
Technology Designed for Performance
The H160 is equipped with Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix avionics suite, designed to simplify flight operations while improving situational awareness and reducing pilot workload.
Its technology has been developed with performance and safety in mind, making the aircraft suitable for operating across diverse environments.
The helicopter is powered by Arrano engines, which Airbus says can deliver up to an 18% reduction in fuel consumption compared with previous-generation engines in its class.
The H160 is also certified to operate with fuel blends containing up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel, providing operators with another option as the aviation industry looks to reduce emissions.
Designed With Noise Reduction in Mind
The H160 has also been designed to reduce its acoustic footprint.
Its curved Blue Edge main rotor blades can reduce external noise by up to 50% compared with previous-generation helicopters, contributing to a quieter operating profile.
For corporate aviation, where helicopters can operate close to populated areas and business destinations, noise performance is an increasingly important consideration alongside range, efficiency and passenger comfort.
Airbus has also continued to refine the aircraft’s design to reduce its official empty weight. This has increased available payload by 100kg or provided operators with up to an additional 60 nautical miles of range.
Supporting Australian Operations
The aircraft was prepared for entry into service in Australia by Pacific Crown Helicopters, a Part 145 certified maintenance organisation and long-standing Airbus Helicopters partner.
This provides local maintenance and technical support for the H160 as Linfox begins operating the aircraft, with the preparation carried out to international airworthiness standards.
The aircraft’s combination of range, efficiency and passenger capacity makes it suited to Australia’s varied operating environment, where journeys can span densely populated cities and remote regional areas.
A Growing Global Fleet
Linfox’s delivery also adds Australia to the H160’s expanding international footprint.
More than 70 H160 helicopters are now operating around the world, with the global fleet having accumulated more than 14,000 flight hours over the past year.
The aircraft has been developed as part of Airbus Helicopters’ next generation of medium twin-engine rotorcraft, combining advanced avionics, improved efficiency and a focus on passenger comfort.
For Linfox, becoming the first Australian operator gives the company an early position within that growing fleet while introducing a new aircraft platform to its corporate aviation operations.
The arrival of the H160 marks another step in the development of Australia’s business aviation sector, bringing together advanced helicopter technology, improved fuel efficiency and a more refined passenger experience in one aircraft.
Source: Airbus Helicopters
Images: Airbus Helicopters