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Airbus Helicopters’ twin-engine technology demonstrator PioneerLab has begun testing advanced autonomous flight capabilities that will ultimately enable the aircraft to perform fully automated landings and takeoffs The landing and takeoff capability is just one of a number of digital technologies being developed and matured on PioneerLab — a flying laboratory based on the H145 airframe Through various lidar sensors and cameras located around the aircraft the aircraft is able to build a digital representation of its environment — similar to that used in modern automobiles and plots a path around them to the desired landing site the helicopter is able to hover to the landing spot [but] today you cannot land,” Dominik Strobel told media during a pre-Verticon briefing at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Donauworth Sensors in the aircraft’s skids measure contact forces to allow it to understand when it has touched the ground — and where it touches down not always with the same point,” said Johannes Plaum head of research and technology at Airbus Helicopters Germany So the helicopter needs to realize that and to feed [the data to] the autopilot.” Strobel said Airbus “can do a lot of different things with the data we’re focusing on automatic takeoff and landing.” PioneerLab is now flying at a rate of about 50 hours per year One of the primary aims with the demonstrator is to achieve a 30 percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to a standard H145 This will be reached through a combination of altering the propulsion system (using a hybrid system with one turbine engine and two 250-kilowatt electric motors) the aircraft has been flying with the two thermal Safran Arriel 2E engines used in the H145 these will be replaced with a single Pratt & Whitney PW210 derivative linked with two Collins Aerospace 250 kW electric motors The team hopes to reach preliminary design review of the hybrid system this year marking the start of a 12-month installation process It hopes to begin flight tests of the hybrid system in 2027 ”It’s really something new for us in terms of integration effort,” said Plaum interaction of thermal power with electrical power all these sorts of systems that we need to handle here and need to master here up to the point where we need to display to the pilot when he’s more on electrical power many challenges within this modification.” The electric motor will provide additional power during takeoff and landing but Airbus is keen to learn where else it may benefit the aircraft during the flight regime or we want to optimize in each flight state decrease thermal power and bring more electrical power to [meet] the whole power demand of the helicopter the electric motors will be charged through generators on the ground before flight A charging function from the thermal engine “might be implemented somewhere in the future,” said Plaum The aerodynamic modifications — which could provide up to 10 percent of the fuel saving/emission reduction targeted — are to reduce drag in both forward flight and hover “We will focus on the aft of the helicopter rather than the front,” said Plaum without going into further detail of the potential airframe changes “But you will see certainly the differences.” the PioneerLab team are also using the aircraft as a test bed for the use of bio-based materials These are sustainable materials that help further decrease the aircraft’s environmental footprint It has already flown with a bio-based nose cover and while Airbus is not disclosing the next component targeted for a bio-based replacement Plaum said it would be somewhere “in the tail area.” and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Bell 525 Walkaround: The First Commercial Fly-by-Wire Helicopter Bell 505 Contact seller for price Year: 2022 Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible Have a story idea you would like to suggest While program activity on CityAirbus NextGen is set to be “paused” at the end of the year the prototype eVTOL is flying “weekly” at an undisclosed location as it expands its flight envelope — allowing Airbus Helicopters to continue to learn from the technologies it has developed for the aircraft The aircraft’s flight test campaign began in November at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Donauworth we put emphasis first on the on the stability and the energy management,” said Stefan Thomé during a wide-ranging pre-Verticon media briefing These are the test points we are pursuing throughout the year and it’s still a very active program this year.” He said the aircraft has flown “many times” and is flying at least “weekly.” While flight tests began in Donauworth they have now been moved “elsewhere.” “We went to a test site where we have more degree of freedom than here,” he added The tests have seen the aircraft leave the airfield and move beyond ground cushion work to transitions Plans for the year include transiting over distance with a payload Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even announced the planned program halt earlier this year pointing primarily to his belief that battery technology wasn’t far enough advanced for a full program launch And while he maintained that to be the case — and one of a range of factors preventing a full program launch — he reaffirmed his belief in the need for urban air mobility during the pre-Verticon briefing “I’m still convinced — we are still convinced — that there is a need for the development of urban Air Mobility [and] bringing less CO2 emissions,” he said When Airbus launched CityAirbus NextGen in 2021 it targeted first flight in 2024 and the potential to begin a full program in 2026 “The performance that we project for the battery in the coming years will not allow [us] to deliver the minimum level of performance and mission that we need to launch a program and to start commercial operation,” he reiterated When asked whether the company had been too conservative with the design of the eVTOL — using a winged multicopter design rather than a tilting wing he said the aircraft was bringing the level of performance the company was expecting from the architecture of the aircraft “But it’s not enough — we need also [the] performance of the battery,” he said “And we are not the only one mentioning this.” And the lack of sufficient battery performance is only one of several crucial conditions preventing Airbus launching a program Regulations and the urban air mobility business model still need to mature as well as social acceptance of the technology but not at the speed the industry was expecting,” he said “We continue to monitor the situation and adjust/adapt our strategy when necessary we consider that the right decision is from one side to continue to perform the flight test campaign in 2025 — we still have a lot to learn — but at the same time to pause the program and to wait for better conditions to launch a new program.” He pointed out that the manufacturer’s decision to invest in CityAirbus NextGen was not only to position itself within the eVTOL market but to develop technologies that could be used on other platforms A little too late for “learning” – sounds more like whistling in the dark Won’t solve the general eVTOL battery problem By Dominic Perry2024-03-07T11:34:00+00:00 Airbus has taken the wraps off its CityAirbus NextGen prototype revealing the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) platform at an event in Germany Although the configuration of the aircraft has not changed since the programme was disclosed in 2021 it is the first public showing for the battery-powered NextGen design Prototype is scheduled to fly later this year Featuring eight electric-powered rotors and a 12m (39ft)-wingspan the CityAirbus NextGen is scheduled to make its first flight later this year Power-on of the completed prototype was achieved in late 2023 The prototype was unveiled during the opening of the manufacturer’s new CityAirbus test centre in Donauworth in southern Germany also home to Airbus Helicopters’ second largest production line While Airbus Urban Mobility is a separate legal entity it draws on expertise from the airframer’s different divisions Final assembly of the production eVTOL aircraft will also take place at Donauworth “Rolling out CityAirbus NextGen for the very first time is an important and very real step that we are taking towards advanced air mobility and our future product and market,” says Balkiz Sarihan Testing at the Donauworth facility ahead of the uncrewed maiden sortie later this year will focus on the propulsion system the CityAirbus NextGen is designed for missions of around 45nm (80km) travelling at a cruise speed of 65kt (120km/h) Airbus opted for fixed rather than tilting rotors to maximise simplicity Airbus opted for fixed rotors to simplify design Airbus does not see an initial use case for the CityAirbus NextGen as an air taxi instead it is developing missions for the platform “In order for this new technology to become a true service it has to demonstrate value to the communities it serves,” Sarihan told reporters during a February briefing EMS provision is “a way of making a direct impact on the lives of people in the communities we want to serve” While she sees the potential for some “scheduled services on pre-planned routes” to link poorly connected communities Sarihan says there will not be “on-demand rooftop-to-rooftop services from day one” Operators will have to “earn the right” and “earn the trust” of the wider public before launching intra-city services Airbus does not have a target date for service entry Sarihan says; that goal depends on the aircraft being “business viable” for both the manufacturer and operators. “If it’s not business viable all we are doing is building some very expensive museum pieces.” Lift and cruise design features eight electric-powered rotors Airbus has been building extensive partnerships to help prove out the technology and the infrastructure and operating environment essential to its future adoption the airframer will fly a subscale model of the CityAirbus NextGen – with a 3.7m wingspan – and an airship between Ingolstadt Part of the Bavarian Air Mobility Initiative in which it is participating the flights will test “how the whole system works” Airbus signed an agreement with lessor LCI at the recent Heli-Expo show in Anaheim committing the pair to collaborate in three core areas for advanced air mobility: strategy “Our entire history is based around financing and financiers – we will bring that network to the CityAirbus programme,” said Jaspal Jandu LCI has not placed an order with Airbus as part of the pact In addition to finance options for the aircraft themselves LCI will also look at the funding requirements for ground infrastructure such as charging or vertiports Airbus has not set a timeline for service entry EHang has carried out a demonstration flight in Costa Rica using its autonomous EH216-S electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle Electric aircraft propulsion specialist Wright Electric is preparing to begin ground testing with the M2500 electric engine it is developing to power commercial aircraft having completed construction of a test stand that will accommodate the trials controllers temporarily lost ability to ”see hear or talk to” pilots flying jets to and from Newark Lilium’s collapse has claimed another victim with German battery supplier CustomCells – which had pledged to fund the electric air taxi developer’s revival – now itself facing insolvency AALTO has claimed a new stratospheric flight record with its Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station with one of its vehicles having remained airborne for more than two months Qatar Airways’ cargo division is to be the launch customer for the Boeing 777-200LR freighter conversion programme established by US-based Mammoth Freighters The disclosure follows the initial test flight of the prototype converted aircraft (N705DN) following its modification at Aspire MRO in Fort Worth FlightGlobal is the global aviation community’s primary source of news analytics and advisory services to connect the aviation community globally and help organisations shape their business strategies identify new opportunities and make better decisions faster Site powered by Webvision Cloud member-first insights and commentary on the global aviation industry The Airbus Helicopters Training Academy in Germany has more than 45 years of expertise in training and is located adjacent to Airbus Helicopters’ manufacturing plant in Donauwörth Its capacity is for more than 1,500 pilots and technicians annually The high quality of pilot and maintenance training courses is assured by a very strict internal quality system and regular audits by national authorities and EASA The Airbus Helicopters Training Academy is certified to issue EASA PART 147 certificates and has recently been approved as a National Training Organisation (NTO) among many others.The team of instructors is made up of highly knowledgeable and experienced experts who use the latest technological training tools (from interactive training manuals and virtual reality tools to full flight simulators) to support the courses pedagogically HMotion will offer flight simulator training for Airbus Helicopters' light twin-engine helicopters A joint venture between Airbus Helicopters and the ADAC HEMS Academy HMotion combines the best of two worlds: the data and knowledge of Airbus as a helicopter manufacturer with the experience of ADAC Luftrettung Both full-flight simulators are located at the Airbus Helicopters Training Centre in Donauworth Following the relocation of the simulators throughout 2025 the simulation training will take place in Oberpfaffenhofen (just outside of Munich) Learn more about the joint venture. For additional information regarding HMotion please reach out to contact@hmotion.com Address:Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbHDr.-Ludwig-Bölkow-Straße 486609 DonauwörthGermany  Airbus’ training solutions for customers around the globe range from ab-initio to recurrent training for pilots and technicians. The Airbus Helicopters HCare offering provides customers with the support and services they need to improve the safety and… Airbus delivers the most efficient helicopters to customers who serve, protect, save lives and carry passengers in demanding… Mondelēz International empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. In Europe, with employees based in 48 countries and with 2020 net revenues of more than $10 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka, Toblerone and Cote d’Or chocolate; Philadelphia cream cheese and Halls candies. 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We produce 24/7 with approx. 500 employees the "tenderest temptation" and export it to more than 50 countries worldwide. Our employees are thereby our most important ingredient. In our head office you can find career opportunities in areas such as: Sales; Marketing; Customer Service & Logistics; Supply Chain Management; Procurement; Finance; Business Services; Information Technology Solutions; Strategy, Insights & Analytics; Corporate & Government Affairs and Human Resources. In Central Europe we support 4 category teams: in Wroclaw (Poland) Chocolate, Biscuits, Gum & Candy and in Munich Meals. RDQ core functions include Product Development, Process Development, Packaging Development, Quality Assurance, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Consumer Science, Nutritional Communication and Analytical Services. Join our Global Research, Development & Quality Meals Center of Excellence in Munich and create the future of meals category (Cheese and Dressings). We also have the R&D site located in Loerrach. In our Vienna office you can find career opportunities in areas such as: Sales; Marketing; Consumer Services & Logistics; Finance; Strategy, Insights & Analytics; Corporate & Government Affairs and Human Resources. 2024last updated 06/03/2024last updated June 3 2024A firefighter was killed when the rubber dinghy he was riding on capsized during severe flooding and at least two people are missing in south Germany as the region braces for more rainstorms This update blog is now closed. For the latest on flooding in Germany, click here. 06/03/2024June 3, 2024Mass school closures across BavariaBavaria's Ministry for Education and Culture announced the cancellation of in-person classes at over 40 schools in eight districts across the state on Sunday evening. The closures will be in effect for the coming week in the districts of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Aichach-Friedberg, Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, Freising, Fürstenfeldbruck, Dachau, Dillingen und Augsburg, where elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as technical schools, nurseries and kindergartens will be closed due to flooding. 06/02/2024June 2, 2024Immediate evacuations ordered along the Danube as dams weakenRegional authorities ordered the "immediate evacuation" of several villages in Bavaria's Donau-Ries District along the Danube and Schmutter rivers Sunday evening.  The Donauwörth District Administration said the decision — affecting the villages of Auchsesheim, Heissesheim, Nordheim, Mertingen, Asbach-Bäumenheim and Urfahrhof — had been prompted by a "massive weakening" dams in the area.  Authorities advised residents to, "remain calm, pack necessary items and documents, and follow the instructions of emergency services crews at the scene."  The District Administration's website also informed residents that emergency shelters had been set up for those who could not stay with friends or relatives. 06/02/2024June 2, 2024Senior citizen and nursing home on the Donau evacuated A Bavarian senior citizen and nursing home on the banks of the Danube has been evacuated as floodwaters continue to rise across the region Sunday evening. The city of Lauingen announced the decision on its website after closely monitoring the situation throughout Saturday and Sunday, saying it had been taken to ensure the long-term care of residents in the more than 100-bed facility. Residents will be temporarily housed in a nearby educational center. 2024More heavy rain forecast for southern Germany on Sunday and MondayThe German Weather Service (DWD) on Sunday forecast more heavy rain across southern Germany on Sunday and Monday after several municipalities in the region received more rainfall in 24 hours than they normally do in one month Especially heavy rain is expected in the Stuttgart region on Sunday, with thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast for an area stretching from the Alps as far north as Saxony Overnight storms are expected to hit an area extending from the Black Forest in the southwest, across the entire south of Germany to the Bavarian Forest bordering Czechia to the east. More of the same is on tap for Monday with the DWD warning that some areas could expect up to 40 millimeters (1.6 inches) of rain per square meter within an hour's time.  The DWD said that on Friday, Kisslegg in Baden-Württemberg received 130 millimeters of rainfall per square meter within 24 hours, and Bad Wörishofen in Bavaria received 129 millimeters per square meter during that same time. Average monthly precipitation in each for May stands at 118 and 101 millimeters per square meter respectively. 2024Rescue operations underway in Bavaria as water levels continue to riseRescue crews are continuing their efforts for a third day as heavy rains drench southern Germany and force thousands to be evacuated DW spoke with several locals about their experience Germany floods: Amid disaster, cleanup efforts beginTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 06/02/2024June 2, 2024Chancellor Scholz expected to visit flood zone on MondayGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to visit southern Germany on Monday to meet with local leaders and view affected areas firsthand News agency AFP cited government sources when it reported the plan On Sunday, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck traveled to Bavaria, where he joined State Premier Markus Söder in Reichertshofen, which was especially hard hit. 06/02/2024June 2, 2024Flooding disrupts train services and AutobahnA dam collapse has prompted the closure of a 50-kilometer (31-mile) stretch of the A9 Autobahn between Ingolstadt and Munich according to police in Upper Bavaria Police say they have never experienced such flooding in the area and offered no information as to how long the road would be closed only advising residents to stay clear of the area to keep themselves safe and not hinder rescue operations Train operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) also issued several updates on Sunday, among them an announcement that train services in southern Germany would remain limited on Monday, June 3. DB said travelers who had purchased tickets for Sunday and Monday would be allowed to use these at a later time.  DB did not give details as to the extent of the disruptions or how long they may last, simply advising travelers to avoid traveling in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg until the situation improved.  06/02/2024June 2, 2024Bavarian Interior Ministry: 3,000 evacuated so farA spokeswoman for Bavaria's Interior Ministry on Sunday said 3,000 residents had been evacuated from their homes as floodwaters inundated the southern German state, according to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily newspaper.  Currently, more than 20,000 emergency services workers are involved in search and rescue efforts across Bavaria. More than 40,000 have been deployed since flooding began on Friday. The Defense Ministry said on X, formerly Twitter, that around 800 soldiers had also been deployed. 06/02/2024June 2, 2024Evacuations in Günzburg as Danube floods parts of cityRescuers were working to evacuate people from the city of Günzburg, roughly halfway between Munich and Stuttgart, amid rising levels of the Danube River. "Several parts of our urban area have been flooded. People are being rescued in boats and helicopters from their houses and apartments," Mayor Gerhard Jauernig wrote in an online post. He urged Günzburg residents to stay at home, follow the instructions given by rescuers, and keep off the streets to facilitate the evacuation effort. "Curious onlookers and disaster-tourists are hindering the life-saving efforts and could have deadly consequences," Jauernig wrote. The level of the Danube in the German city has risen nearly three meters (9,84 feet) since Friday, according to data cited by Augsburger Allgemeine paper. 06/02/2024June 2, 2024Another firefighter missing in Bavaria's OffingenRescuers were searching for a 22-year-old firefighter in the Bavarian town of Offingen after he went missing overnight. Similar to his colleague in Pfaffenhofen, the man was taking part in the evacuation effort and was on a rubber boat with several other people when it capsized. Police representative Holger Stabik disputed the rumors of the man's death. "We have no confirmation of a body being found," Stabik was quoted as saying by Bavarian daily newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine. A helicopter has been deployed to help the search. 06/02/2024June 2, 2024Söder: 40,000 rescuers fighting the floods in BavariaWith floods escalating in southern Germany, Bavarian Premier Markus Söder said 40,000 were deployed in his state alone. "The most important thing is to organize the replacing (of rescuers) in the coming hours," he told reporters. "The longer you work without being relieved, the greater the danger of mistakes, of exhaustion, and then the danger of death and injury is more imminent." Söder is visiting one of the affected towns, Reichersthofen, together with Economy Minister Robert Habeck. The Bavarian premier said he expected support from the federal government both in terms of funding and manpower. 06/02/2024June 2, 2024Two dams break in Bavaria's PfaffenhofenTwo dams on the river Paar, a tributary of the Danube, broke near the Bavarian town of Pfaffenhofen an Ilm, local officials said on Sunday. Local residents were advised to abandon the ground floors of their homes and climb to higher levels of buildings. The news of the dams breaking comes just hours after a firefighter was confirmed dead in the same town. A spokesperson for the firefighting service said the ongoing flood was unprecedented in the Pfaffenhofen region. The local village of Reichertshofen has been flooded, he added. "There is nothing more we can do, we have to sort of give up," he said, but added the firefighters were still in control of protecting human life. 2024Chancellor Scholz says rescuers owed 'gratitude and respect'German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was saddened by the death of the firefighter in Pfaffenhofen "We owe gratitude and respect to rescuers and helpers who are fighting against the flooding in multiple locations," Scholz said on X, formerly Twitter. "My thoughts are with his family and colleagues," he added. 06/02/2024June 2, 2024Germany's railway operator DB warns against travel in flood-hit areasTrains have been canceled and delayed across southern Germany as the region struggles with flooding and landslides. A spokeswoman for Deutsche Bahn (DB) said several connections to and from Munich, Stuttgart and Augsburg were affected. This includes cancelations between Munich and Berlin, Munich and the Swiss metropolis of Zurich, as well Stuttgart and Frankfurt. "We advise against traveling to areas affected by flooding in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg," the company said. On Saturday, two railcars of an intercity express train derailed in the southern state of Baden-Württemberg after a landslide caused by heavy rain. None of the 185 passengers onboard were injured. 06/02/2024June 2, 2024German politicians praise courage of lost firefighter, set to visit affected areaFollowing the news of the firefighter losing his life on duty, Germany's Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck described the incident as "terrible." He added that the courage shown by both volunteer and professional rescuers "is not to be taken for granted." "We should always be grateful that these people exist," he said The premier of Bavaria, Markus Söder said that "all of us are grieving" after the firefighter's death "His deployment and efforts to help other people will always be remembered," he said in an online post Both Premier Söder and Vice Chancellor Habeck who also serves as the economy minister and is charge of climate action are expected to visit the town Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm Providing essential services for customers worldwide Airbus helicopters are an essential tool for first responders public service operators and military customers flying critical missions across the globe.  With unique capabilities such as access to remote locations and hovering they are able to deliver medical and humanitarian aid transport passengers in the first golden hour of rescue missions and help fight fires Customers can also rely on the versatility and robustness of our military rotorcraft to protect citizens transport troops or deliver vital resources Civil rangeOffering an extensive range of civil helicopters Military rangeProviding a range of advanced military helicopters UASOur portfolio of unmanned and autonomous solutions ACHOur range of corporate and business helicopters HCare Store ServicesA support and services offer tailored to customers’ needs Pre-owned helicoptersA selection of Airbus helicopters currently available for sale Discover how Airbus is continuously exploring new technologies to help pioneer lower carbon aviation and autonomous flight Airbus Helicopters' first priority is to support the flight safety of the thousands of people around the world who fly in its aircraft every day Not only do we strive to continuously improve the safety of our products but we also focus on the operational safety of these products once they have been delivered to the customer.  Download Rotor to receive all the latest information about our civil and military helicopters and to get the latest news from the thousands of operators who carry out vital missions every day The Airbus Helicopters 2025 civil and military calendars are a collection of stunning images from operators around the world Get in touch with one of our local sales representatives DONAUWORTH, Germany - Airbus has presented its fullly electric CityAirbus NextGen prototype to the public ahead of its maiden flight later this year  is being developed to fly with a 50-mile range and to reach a cruise speed of 75 MPH making it suited for operations in major cities for a variety of missions The unveiling coincided with the opening of the new CityAirbus test center in Donauwörth, Germany, which will be dedicated to testing systems for electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs). The center, which is part of Airbus’ investment in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) began its operations with the CityAirbus NextGen’s power-on in December 2023 and it will be now used for the remaining tests required before the prototype’s maiden flight later in the year These tests cover the electric motors with their eight rotors and the aircraft’s other systems such as flight controls and avionics Sound levels are a key factor for an urban mission; Airbus' experience in noise-friendly designs is driving CityAirbus' sound levels below 65 dB(A) during fly-over and below 70 dB(A) during landing It is optimized for hover and cruise efficiency while not requiring moving surfaces or tilting parts during transition Related: Airbus and Spirit AeroSystems to develop the wings of CityAirbus NextGen “Rolling out CityAirbus NextGen for the very first time is an important and very real step that we are taking towards advanced air mobility and our future product and market team and partners all over the world for helping us make this a reality,” said Balkiz Sarihan Airbus is expanding its global network and partnerships to create a unique ecosystem that will foster a successful and viable AAM market Airbus recently signed a partnership agreement with LCI to focus on the development of partnership scenarios and business models in three core AAM areas: strategy Airbus Helicopters is constantly developing the network of simulator centres that supports its range of civil and military rotorcraft – providing advanced training solutions that combine the benefits of actual flight and the safety of simulation tools Many of our training academies around the world are equipped with state-of-the art Full-Flight Simulators (FFS) or Flight Training Devices (FTD) using original AIRBUS data packages to provide the most realistic mission environment without compromising the safety of participants and without using aircraft dedicated to commercial or military missions 25 FFSs and 3 FTDs are positioned in our training academies and are used by our network Airbus Helicopters annually delivers more than 30,000 training hours in type rating Its facilities benefit from the highest standards and are fully compliant with the latest certifications List of aircraft version simulators:  AS332 L1 I AS365 N2 I AS332 L2 I EC155 B I EC135 P2+ I BK117 C2 I NH90 TTH I EC135 T2/P2 I AS350 B2/B3 I AS365 N3/N3 + EC225 I EC135 P2+ EC175 B I EC225 I BK117 D2 I H160 B I EC135 T3H IAS350B3e I BK117 C2 + H145 These courses provide the pilot with the knowledge and proficiency required to perform emergency procedures pilots will be able to land safely despite a failure scenario these courses provide the pilot with basic skills applied to an operational environment – such as search and rescue Simulators can be partially or entirely used to complete specific courses such as performance-based navigation or synthetic flight instruction Both full-flight simulators are located at the Airbus Helicopters Training Academy in Donauworth the simulation training will take place in Munich - Oberpfaffenhofen Learn more about Airbus Helicopters Training Academy in Germany Maintenance training solutions range from basic training to proficiency training and standard type rating Airbus Helicopters Training Academy provides an extensive range of flight training courses Blended learning combines both virtual and in-person learning The Airbus Helicopters Training Academy has a number of training devices to facilitate the range of training courses it offers From single and twin-engine light and medium helicopters to those in the eleven-tonne class With some 19,000 helicopters delivered in 150 countries Airbus Helicopters supplies almost one-third of the world’s rotorcraft… Airbus is expecting to power on its CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL prototype before the end of the year with the aircraft in the final stages of assembly at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Donauworth “It’s now out of the jig — it’s on skids and the battery pack has arrived,” Balkiz Sarihan head of urban air mobility (UAM) at Airbus “Literally every day there’s something new coming in.” The CityAirbus NextGen program was launched in 2021 following on from Airbus’s CityAirbus and Vahana demonstration programs The aircraft is powered by eight propellers and 16 electrical power units It will carry one pilot with three passengers in a banked seat at the rear of the cabin The multi-rotor aircraft has been in assembly throughout 2023 in preparation for the start of its flight test campaign in 2024 The first phases of this campaign will take place in a 10,700-square-foot (1,000-square-meter) dedicated eVTOL test center in Donauworth The ability to begin the campaign indoors will ensure against any weather-related challenges that would otherwise be presented by the German winter “Then we continue to open up the flight test envelope as you would expect us to do on any other product,” she said the test center includes separate rooms for subsystem testing The grand opening of the facility will be held “sometime in the new year,” said Sarihan along with a first public display of the prototype “This parallel path really saves us quite a lot of time and investment,” said Sarihan Airbus has been clear from the outset that its plan is to enter the eVTOL market with a piloted product but the initial test phase of CityAirbus NextGen will be remotely piloted the upcoming year will see Airbus continue working on the broader eVTOL ecosystem The company has partnered with 30 organizations and companies — including the state and federal government universities and Munich airport — to establish what it calls the Air Mobility Initiative (AMI) in Bavaria they’re developing and testing a full urban air mobility ecosystem from defining a concept of operations (ConOps) to building the first version of a vertiport “We will actually start to fly subscales in the exact missions of the eVTOL next year,” said Sarihan “This will be the first test of the ConOps’ design.” The company also expects to build upon its existing pool of global partnerships having already announced agreements with Chilean operator Ecocopter Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company and Japanese operator Hiratagakuen to better understand the urban air mobility markets in those regions Airbus announced a partnership with the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation to explore the use of CityAirbus NextGen in the emergency medical services (EMS) mission “What we’re working on is not only how they would like the aircraft to evolve in future generations but how an eVTOL will fit into an existing working HEMS system,” said Sarihan Early discussions with the foundation showed that they think eVTOLs might best be used to deliver medical care rather than to transport patients the interest of the eVTOL is in rapid deployment of the right medication right personnel and the right intervention,” she said “It’s not replacing [helicopters or ground ambulances] but it’s providing an extra layer of service.” While 2024 will be another year of major development for the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL it will also be a momentous year for the wider eVTOL industry with fellow manufacturer Volocopter aiming to launch commercial services in Paris at the 2024 Summer Olympics Sarihan said Airbus will be watching with great interest “All of this puts a lot of attention a lot of energy and some funding as well [towards the eVTOL sector],” she said “But we also have to make sure that all of these [commercial launches] are executed really to excite the public to show the first demonstration and then keep them with us for the next step.” Comprehensive training solutions for customers worldwide Airbus Helicopters‘ training and flight operations goal is to design and provide innovative solutions to support its customers – which is key to enhancing operational safety Efficient helicopter operations are directly linked to the proficiency of pilots as well as their ability to safely operate and maintain rotorcraft during a full range of conditions and missions Airbus Helicopters has chosen Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Collins Aerospace to help develop a hybrid-electric propulsion system for the airframer’s PioneerLab demonstrator PioneerLab is one of several demonstrators Airbus is using to develop technology “bricks” that could be incorporated into its current and future product lines is based at Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Donauworth Airbus’s tests with it have been related to proving out autonomous flight controls but the OEM has also targeted optimized engine performance and improved efficiency — up to 30 percent compared to a conventionally powered aircraft — and aims to deliver on the latter through a hybrid-electric powerplant its existing Safran Arriel 2E engines will be replaced by a Pratt & Whitney PW210 derivative linked with two Collins Aerospace 250 kW electric motors and controllers through a common gearbox P&WC said the configuration would allow the electric motors to provide high torque capability during take-off and landing “With world-class efficiency and reliability Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW210 engine is very well-suited to perform as part of a hybrid-electric helicopter propulsion system,” said Maria Della Posta “To help achieve the goals of this innovative project we’ll draw on expertise from our growing list of hybrid-electric demonstrator programs including the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator Collins will develop the 250 kW motor and controller at its Electronic Controls and Motor Systems center of excellence in Solihull with flight tests of the hybrid-electric PowerLab set to begin in 2027 “The combined 250 kW motor and controller we’re designing for PioneerLab are part of our family of electric motors and controllers that can be scaled up or down to meet the future electrification needs of aircraft across multiple segments,” said Henry Brooks Power & Controls for Collins Aerospace “By serving as part of hybrid-electric propulsion architectures or helping to electrify onboard systems these motors and controllers will support the aviation industry’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions from future platforms.” Airbus has unveiled its CityAirbus NextGen prototype to the public in a special ceremony at its facility in Donauworth ahead of the electric aircraft’s maiden flight later this year “Rolling out CityAirbus NextGen for the very first time is an important and very real step that we are taking towards advanced air mobility and our future product and market,” said Balkiz Sarihan CEO and head of Urban Air Mobility at Airbus team and partners all over the world for helping us make this a reality.” The unveiling has been accompanied with the release of new photos and video of the prototype which was in assembly throughout last year in preparation for the start of its flight test campaign in 2024 The first phase of this campaign will take place in the new 10,700-square foot CityAirbus test center in Donauworth While the center is currently focused on CityAirbus NextGen’s development the intention is for it to be dedicated to testing systems for all the manufacturer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles CityAirbus NextGen has a wing span of about 40 feet (12 meters) and is powered by eight propellers and 16 electrical power units it will carry one pilot with three passengers in a banked seat at the rear of the cabin Airbus is developing the aircraft to fly with a range of 50 miles (80 kilometers) and reach a cruise speed of 75 mph (120 km/h) — capabilities the manufacturer said will make it well suited for a variety of operations in major cities CityAibus NextGen completed its first power-on in December 2023 and will now complete the tests required before it can take its first flight These include testing the electric motors and rotors as well as the flight controls and avionics The initial test phase will be remotely piloted but Airbus has been clear from the outset that its plan is to enter the eVTOL market with a piloted product The flight test campaign will take place in parallel with the maturation of various technologies set to be incorporated into the aircraft, such as the “Millennium” single stick control and Vertex autonomy system Airbus is also working to develop the broader ecosystem in which eVTOL aircraft will operate signing partnerships to help create and foster a viable advanced air mobility (AAM) market These include agreements with Chilean operator Ecocopter It has also partnered with the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation to explore the use of CityAirbus NextGen in the emergency medical services (EMS) mission At Heli-Expo 2024, it announced an agreement with leasing company LCI to focus on the development of partnership scenarios and business models in three core AAM areas: strategy Brazilian operator Helisul Aviação has announced its acquisition of Chilean company Ecocopter creating one of the largest helicopter operators in South America Helisul has a fleet of 58 rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and flies a wide variety of utility operations it has 26 hangars distributed throughout Brazil Ecocopter was founded in 2003, and has its headquarters in Santiago, the capital of Chile. It has a fleet of 23 aircraft, which have become well-known throughout the helicopter industry for their striking liveries, created to promote a branch of science or landmark of scientific reasoning The Chilean operator provides aerial services including passenger and cargo transport powerline maintenance and air medical transfers In a press release announcing the acquisition Helisul noted the synergies between the two companies and said Ecocopter would provide it with access to the air services market in the Southern Cone of America “The acquisition of Ecocopter is part of the company’s expansion plan allowing for safe and rapid growth,” said Humberto Biesuz “[This] will lead to expansion throughout the Latin American continent initiating a multinational operation model unique in the sector.” said the two companies had a common vision regarding “responsible growth” in each market “This initiative will benefit our clients as we will be able to accompany them in their international projects as well as offer them a larger and more diversified fleet of helicopters and airplanes,” said Rajchman The acquisition is subject to approval from stakeholders and the relevant authorities Airbus Helicopters is moving forward with the expansion of its global footprint and its strategic partnership with China as construction is now underway for its H135 final assembly line (FAL) – the first of its kind not only for Airbus Helicopters but also for the Western helicopter industry in China and construction is expected to be completed by 2018 A framework agreement signed in June 2016 calls for 100 H135s to be assembled over the next 10 years and the first aircraft roll-out from Qingdao is planned for mid-2019 The FAL will have a total annual capacity of 18 H135 helicopters “This ground breaking is a remarkable milestone for Airbus Helicopters’ global footprint and demonstrates our commitment to further enhancing our industrial cooperation with China’s rapidly growing aviation industry,” said Guillaume Faury “We are confident that this project will achieve a win-win solution to fulfill the requirements of local customers while supporting the development of crucial helicopter services for the benefit of Chinese citizens.” located in Jimo Provincial Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone will be jointly operated by Airbus Helicopters and Qingdao United General Aviation Company Limited (UGAC) a joint venture between China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) and Qingdao United General Aviation Industrial Development Company Limited (UGA) Following the joint venture agreement signed in April of this year Airbus Helicopters holds a majority share of 51 percent “The H135 final assembly line is another strong example of Sino-European cooperation and will play an important role in further promoting the development of China’s general aviation industry,” said Li Hai “We believe in this partnership and are looking forward to seeing the first Airbus helicopter assembled in China to fly in the skies.” The H135 is one of the most popular light twin-engine helicopters in China mainly operating in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) more than 1,200 helicopters of the H135 family are in operation around the globe with more than four million flight hours China became Airbus Helicopters’ largest civil market in terms of annual bookings public services and offshore wind industry in the country a potential demand of 600 light twin-engine helicopters is expected over the next two decades Texas-based Jaunt Air Mobility could be the next eVTOL developer to tap into public funding after its parent company shared plans for an initial public offering (IPO) 15 that it has filed a Form S-1 draft registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) AIRO hasn’t revealed the number of shares it plans to offer or the price range for the proposed offering The registration statement is expected to become effective after the SEC completes its review process and subject to market and other conditions Jaunt is developing an all-electric and hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft for passenger services AIRO’s portfolio of companies includes drone companies AIRO Drone and Sky-Watch aviation and special missions training providers Agile Defense and Coastal Defense This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Germany -- Wiking Helikopter Service took delivery of another H145 helicopter in offshore configuration This brings the H145 fleet of the company to a total of five aircraft after initial deliveries of two helicopters in 2016 and 2017 and two leased H145s It continues the successful story of Wiking in the offshore industry with the H145 as quickly adaptable helicopter type for numerous missions The helicopters of Wiking are used to drop off harbor pilots fly air rescue missions over the North Sea and transport service technicians to offshore wind farms The H145 in offshore configuration will be equipped with an emergency flotation system certified for Sea State 6 and a hoist to bring passengers directly to their target destination where potential landing by helicopter or boat would not be possible  The H145 can be equipped with seating for up to eight passengers in compliance with international offshore regulations The combination of compact external dimensions the largest interior in its class and maximum power-to-weight ratio make the H145 ideal for offshore operations The Helionix cockpit with 4-axis autopilot and auto-hover function are further advantages for such demanding missions as the pilot work-load can be reduced and a maximum level of safety can be reached Airbus Bank has arranged financing for this helicopter Airbus Bank is a 100% affiliate of Airbus and is active in the aviation finance market to provide customized financing solutions for operators of Airbus Helicopters’ products By Dominic Perry2019-08-01T11:19:39 ​Germany has selected the NH Industries NH90 as the replacement for its navy's 21-strong fleet of Westland Sea Lynx 88A anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters You have reached your limit of free articles for this period Register for a FREE account to read this article and benefit from: Join now Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information The CityAirbus will be trialed at the planemaker’s helicopter plant in Donauworth Initial flights will be unmanned as Airbus seeks to establish the four-seat model’s capabilities for full autonomy and focuses on tests that don’t require a pilot DONAUWORTH, Germany - Airbus Helicopters has delivered two H145s to the Ecuadorian Air Force, the first military customer in South America for this multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter A total of six H145s will be delivered over the next year known as “Cobra” in the Ecuadorian Air Force will be assigned to the 22nd Combat Wing in Guayaquil The contract includes training for 12 pilots and 15 technicians as part of an in-country operational training program The six H145 helicopters will help with missions related to national security such as border surveillance and the fight against drug trafficking as well as carrying out rescue operations at high altitudes medical evacuation (MedEvac) and assistance in the case of natural disasters This wide range of mission capabilities is thanks to the variety of equipment included such as the cargo hook "I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Ecuadorian Air Force which today celebrates its 100th anniversary The new H145 will increase their operational capabilities thanks to its versatility and high performance in high and hot conditions and will allow them to face any mission with greater efficiency and serenity," said Julien Negrel Commercial Vice President Latin America for Airbus Helicopters "Ecuador’s Ministry of Defense has been an Airbus customer for 40 years and I appreciate their confidence in our brand when it comes to renewing the country's aerial capabilities with next-generation helicopters." DONAUWORTH, Germany - Airbus Helicopters’ five-bladed H145 has been certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) clearing the way for customer deliveries towards the end of summer 2020 The certification covers the full range of capabilities including single-pilot and instrument flight rules (IFR) and single engine operations (Cat.A/VTOL) along with night vision goggles capability The new version of Airbus’ H145 light twin-engine helicopter was unveiled at Heli-Expo 2019 in Atlanta with launch customers announced for almost every market segment Prior to the successful high-altitude test campaign in South America where the aircraft set its skids down on the Aconcagua the highest mountain in the Southern hemisphere the new H145 performed several test campaigns including in Spain at medium altitudes and Finland for cold weather This latest upgrade of the H145 family adds a new innovative five-bladed rotor to the multi-mission H145 increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 150 kg (330 lb) The simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design will also ease maintenance operations Certification by the Federal Aviation Administration will follow later this year The certification for the military version of the five-bladed H145 will be granted in 2021 Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix digital avionics suite. It includes a high performance 4-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class By Dominic Perry2024-08-16T15:30:00 Airbus Helicopters chief executive Bruno Even is confident that there will be no reduction in the quantity of H160M Guepards being purchased by France – provided the airframer can successfully deliver on its promises You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed 20 (UPI) -- Law enforcement officials in one of Germany's largest states have taken delivery of the first of six police-configured H145 aircraft from Airbus Helicopters The federal-state police in Baden-Wurttenberg took delivery of the aircraft at Airbus' facility at Donauwörth "Now entering service for law enforcement operations the Police Baden-Württemberg will be using the H145's capabilities for its most challenging missions" said Wolfgang Schoder chief executive officer of Airbus Helicopters in Germany "In line with our company's commitment to customer satisfaction we have set up a dedicated logistic team available 24/7 to support mission execution of Police Baden-Württemberg." The H145 features all-in-one mission capabilities including deployment of Special Forces units Its primary surveillance mission is supported by forward-looking infrared and daylight cameras controlled by an onboard operator who also handles communications and data exchange with ground-based police resources April 29 (UPI) -- Two of five multi-role H145M helicopters have been transferred by Airbus Helicopters to the Royal Thai Navy and are expected to enter service later this year "After the H145M made its market entry with the German Air Force at the end of last year we are very proud that the Royal Thai Navy has become another operator of the new H145M," Schoder said "The helicopter is the most advanced solution for the increasingly challenging demands of our military customers in modern-day missions outstanding performance and true multi-role capabilities while maintaining very high versatility and low operating costs." The H145M is the military version of the civil H145 that entered service in mid-2014 The light aircraft is suitable for a variety of military operations They also feature a Helionix digital avionics suite The two aircraft transferred on Friday will remain in Germany for the time being and will be used for pilot training They will be delivered in Thailand by September An employee works at the production line of the Airbus helicopter plant in Donauwoerth The European aircraft maker is to manufacture the H135 light twin-engine helicopters in China Airbus Helicopters is moving forward with its strategic partnership with China with construction now underway of its first helicopter assembly line in the country said the new final assembly line for its H135 chopper in Qingdao Costing more than 10 million euros ($11.21 million) the plant is expected to be completed by 2018 he said at the weekend groundbreaking ceremony Under a framework agreement signed in June last year 100 Airbus H135s will be assembled over the next 10 years and the first aircraft rollout from Qingdao is planned for mid-2019 The production line will have a total installed annual capacity of 18 helicopters Faury said the project was a "remarkable milestone" for his company's global footprint and demonstrated its commitment to further enhancing industrial cooperation with China's rapidly growing aviation industry "We are confident that this project will achieve a win-win solution to fulfill the requirements of local customers while supporting the development of crucial helicopter services," Faury said located in the Jimo Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone will be operated by Airbus Helicopters and Qingdao United General Aviation Co Ltd a joint venture between China Aviation Supplies Holding Co and Qingdao United General Aviation Industrial Development Co Ltd Airbus Helicopters holds a majority share of 51 percent in the joint venture "The H135 final assembly line is another strong example of Sino-European cooperation and will play an important role in further promoting the development of China's general aviation industry," said Li Hai "We believe in this partnership and are looking forward to seeing the first Airbus helicopter assembled in China." The H135 is a light twin-engine helicopter mainly operating in emergency medical services To date more than 1,200 helicopters in the H135 family have gone into operation internationally China became Airbus Helicopters' biggest civilian market in terms of annual orders Given the rapid development of the helicopter emergency medical services a potential demand for 600 light twin-engine helicopters is expected over the next two decades.