Airbus Helicopters released details of the VIP version of the H160 at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva overnight.
The in-development H160 is a medium-lift helicopter designed to fit between the H145 and H175. The design philosophy is for an aircraft that is cleaner, quieter and more comfortable whilst maintaining economic competitveness.
Airbus Helicopters selected an interior from Pegasus Design after consulting with customers and specialists in luxury goods.
“Our in-house design team will now work closely with Pegasus Design to establish a new standard of VIP cabin interiors on the private and business aviation market", said Frederic Lemos, head of Private and Business Aviation, "ensuring that the H160 will propose the same level of excellence, innovation, and emotion inside and out.”
H160 development continues to progress as the two prototypes in flight testing have logged around 140 hours with the second prototype having performed the 100th flight mid-May.
The H160 has a full-composite airframe, biplane stabiliser, canted Fenestron tail and Blue Edge rotors with unique tips designed to reduce noise. It is powered by twin Turbomeca Arrano turbines.
Airbus has unashamedly stated that the H160 is aimed squarely at the Leonardo/Finmeccanica/AgustaWestland AW139, which has the bulk of the medium-lift market.
Certification is expected in 2018.