Shaping the future of flight testing

Located in Istres, France, within the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), sits one of the most elite flight test schools. Think of Top Gun, but for testing helicopters: this is EPNER. The mission of this French flight test school is simple: recruiting the very best pilots, engineers, mechanics, and air traffic controllers and training them on how to be the flight test crews of tomorrow. As Gwénaël, helicopter experimental test pilot at the DGA, explains it: “A flight test pilot is firstly a pilot. The main difference is that they fly on modified aircraft or brand new aircraft to certify conformity to regulatory or contractual requirements.” 

To achieve this accreditation, an intensive journey combining 400 hours of theory with over 100 flight test hours is required at EPNER, where instructors teach crews to safely find the limits of an aircraft, as well as their own. To prepare these trainees for the next generation of aviation, a cutting edge school needs a cutting edge fleet of helicopters. What better way to kick off this major modernisation than with the strategic integration of Airbus Helicopters' H160.

A new technological blueprint for training

The arrival of the H160 represents a generational leap for EPNER, shifting the benchmark from legacy helicopter platforms to an ultra-modern solution. As Patrice, Deputy Director of EPNER, notes: “The H160 is gradually integrated into the programme for new trainees. As it’s brand new, it benefits from an array of new technologies. This enables the school to remain at the forefront of training, using all of the helicopter’s new faculties to test performance, flight qualities and onboard systems.” 

This step-change significantly enhances the school's pedagogical scope. According to Thomas, Flight Test Maintenance Technician, “there is a real evolution in avionics with the H160, which opens an enlarged panel of training capabilities to EPNER.” This is also true when looking at fleet availability and maintenance, as the H160 allows mechanic trainees to rely on the helicopter’s predictive data analytics to build the most accurate maintenance plan and tasks. Thomas emphasises this leap: “Everything in the H160 is thoughtfully designed and accessible, with clear maintenance and technical documentation.” 

Collaborative innovation and custom architecture

Integrating a civil-certified H160 into an intensive flight test school programme required a seamless, hand-in-hand collaboration between Airbus Helicopters and the DGA. To transform the platform into a flying classroom, technical teams worked jointly from initial design to final delivery. Using tailored modifications, a dedicated flight test system was installed on the H160, ultimately bridging the gap between continuous improvement and training requirements. 

As Patrice highlights: “This version of the H160 is a civil one, modified for EPNER with a flight test installation in the rear to train on.” Aurélien, Flight Test Installation Designer, recalls: “We worked in close collaboration with Airbus Helicopters to install the test equipment, from sharing technical documentation to making sure this architecture matches current mission requirements.” This custom setup seamlessly embeds state-of-the-art flight test installations on the helicopter as well as directly into the cabin. 

Anticipating the frontline: paving the way for the H160M

The true value of the EPNER’s modernised fleet lies in its forward-looking capabilities. By testing these interconnected systems in a rigorous training environment, the DGA is paving a direct path for the French Armed Forces' upcoming Joint Light Helicopter (HIL) programme, the H160M Guépard. The integration of the H160 within EPNER’s fleet ensures that the future fleet of the armed forces will be both operationally proven and highly efficient. Patrice underscores this long-term strategy: “If we take a look at new military programmes, including the HIL, with our modernised fleet we’ll be able to integrate new systems which later on could be integrated into the French armed forces’ fleet. That’s our true value-add, as we can test all these systems beforehand.” 

This powerful capability will directly serve the crews on the frontline. As Gwénaël concludes, “the H160 will be a multirole helicopter but it will remain close to the helicopters that will equip the armed forces. It’s a public service mission: to procure efficient platforms so that armed forces can serve in all safety.”