The H175 delivers on all counts with its long range, smooth ride, excellent payload lift and outstanding cabin comfort.

Passengers transported in the H175 for crew change missions experience the longest air-conditioned cabin and the most space and window surface per passenger of all helicopters in this class. A maximum of four passengers can be seated per row. Vibration and sound levels are very low, even at high cruise speeds.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada’s latest PT6 engine – the PT6C 67E – the H175 benefits from strong performance and large power reserves, which support efficiency and safety during take-off and landing, rig approach, hovering and hoisting.

Contributing to its competitive edge is the recommended cruise speed of 150 kts and the fast cruise speed of 160 kts; hover out of ground effect (HOGE) with a maximum 7.8-tonne take-off weight at 5,800 ft. in ISA+20°C conditions; and extensive power reserve and heli-deck performance (PC1) at maximum take-off weight in ISA+20°C conditions.

The H175 already is a record-setter, establishing a time-to-climb record of 6,000 metres in 6 min., 54 s.; and a time-to-climb record of 3,000 metres in 3 min. 10 s.

The H175 offers excellent payload for short and long range missions, contributing to high annual productivity for operators. This combined with low operating and maintenance costs and high availability equals superior cost effectiveness for customers.

The H175 provides the best payload range-per-passenger/radius-of-action (RoA) in the medium helicopter category. The H175’s maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 7.800 tonnes – extended from 7.5 tonnes - offers an additional payload of 300 kilograms or an additional 40 nautical miles RoA.

With 16 passengers aboard in an oil and gas configuration, the H175 can fly to distances of 140 nautical miles, increasing to more than 200 nautical miles when 12 passengers are carried, with no auxiliary fuel tank required. The helicopter can operate at its full payload in 90 percent of oil and gas operations.

Lighter than its competitors, the H175 is outfitted with a standard fuel tank that can carry more than 2 tonnes of fuel. This unmatched capacity is 30 percent more fuel than other aircraft in its class, without the need for an auxiliary fuel tank.

The cabin can be reconfigured for almost any mission, whether short or long-range. In search and rescue operations, the long endurance (5h58 hours), fast cruise speed (160 kts), long range and large cabin are key success factors.

The H175's new Helionix® avionics suite and integrated 4-axis autopilot, derived from the proven H225, provide the highest levels of safety and mission flexibility.

Meeting the latest international standards, Helionix reduces pilot workload through unrivalled situational awareness, improved flight envelope protection and system redundancy.

The dual-duplex 4-axis automatic flight control system (AFCS) ensures flight precision and stability during flight, even in the harshest weather conditions. Its functions include new automatic modes such as automatic recovery in the event of pilot disorientation, easier final approaches (particularly at low heights to prevent terrain collision), a hands-off one-engine failure management mode, and a Rig n’ Fly mode for approaches to rigs. The TCAS II for automatic collision avoidance additionally supports flight safety.

The intuitive human-machine interface further reduces pilot workload and has an innovative self-monitoring and alerting system backed by audio warnings.

The H175 was conceived from the start to offer the highest safety levels in all flight modes. The helicopter complies with – or exceeds – the latest CS29 airworthiness standards, with the oil and gas version incorporating all of the safety and mission recommendations of the IOGP (International Association of Oil & Gas Producers).

To achieve these standards, the helicopter has fully-redundant systems; crashworthiness protection; energy-absorbing landing gear, seats, structure and fuel tanks; and emergency floatation devices, which can be inflated in flight or automatically at ditching.

The emergency flotation system is certified at Sea State 6 conditions, with the high water-line reducing the capsizing risk. In addition, 30-minute dry run certification test has been achieved.

For passenger safety, quick and easy egress is provided through extra-large push-out windows that exceed EASA Type IV emergency egress size requirements, while each passenger is seated at a maximum of one seat from an egress exit. 

On-ground safety is provided by the rotorcraft’s high-set tail rotor with a 2.3-metre ground clearance to facilitate movement around the aircraft – especially during operations on landing pads. Passenger boarding is enhanced by the real-time view provided by a tail-fin-mounted forward-looking camera, monitored from the cockpit display.

An autonomous cockpit camera can record cockpit crew actions and replay missions for training and procedure improvement purposes. Moreover, Helionix and the 4-axis autopilot further support flight safety (see “New-generation avionics” above).

The H175’s maintenance concept is defined in cooperation with users for the utmost efficiency, achieving higher aircraft availability and lower operating costs.

Optimised scheduled maintenance planning is based on operational feedback gathered from operators through the MSG-3 method, and is continuously improved thanks to a proactive Living Maintenance Review Board process. Unscheduled maintenance management is optimised as well.

Also contributing to the H175’s maintainability is its advanced anomaly detection function, which provides fast and simple alarms diagnosis while reducing false maintenance down-time; helicopter flight data monitoring, allowing improvements in safety, operational procedures and training; and web-based access to interactive electronic technical publications with 3D maintenance procedures for complex maintenance tasks.

Direct maintenance costs of this medium helicopter are equivalent to a lighter machine. See the H175 Support & Services section for additional information.

Designed with the support of oil companies and helicopter operators, the H175 offers cost competitiveness, performance and new standards of safety and comfort.

The H175 can operate at its full payload in 90% of oil and gas operations. It provides the best payload range-per-passenger/radius-of-action (RoA) in the medium-class helicopter category.

The H175 is available with an extended maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 7.8 tonnes, offering an additional payload of 300 kilograms or an additional 40 nautical miles RoA.

With 16 passengers aboard in an oil and gas configuration, it can fly to distances of 165 nautical miles RoA, increasing to more than 200 nautical miles RoA when 12 passengers are carried, with no auxiliary fuel tank required. In a higher density configuration, it can carry as many as 18 passengers up to 130 nautical miles RoA.

The H175 also has a high power margin in One Engine Inoperative (OEI) conditions. The helicopter can perform Performance Class 1 takeoffs and landings at MTOW in ISA+20°C conditions from a 75 ft.-high platform.  

In public services operations the H175 is a high performer, offering the greatest endurance (5h58 hours), longest range, and highest cruise speed in its class, with a standard fuel tank capacity of more than 2 tonnes.

The highly capable automatic flight control system – which is evolved from the proven automatic flight control system (AFCS) on the H225 – offers exceptional high hovering precision and stability.

For SAR duties, the rotorcraft can be configured with a SAR operator’s console, cabin-mounted medical equipment, an external winch, and oversized bubble observer windows to assist the search process, and a search and weather radar, among others. A side-mounted searchlight, along with up to six under-fuselage lights, provide area illumination, which are completed by main- and tail-rotor lighting for use when manoeuvring near obstacles.  

For law enforcement missions, the H175 is ready for both day and night operations with night vision goggle capability, searchlight, and forward-looking infrared. Its large cabin is suited to a variety of missions, while large doors facilitate easy egress. Fast-roping and rappelling on both sides of the aircraft and a chin-mounted electro-optical system offer additional operation advantages.

Long-distance inter-hospital transfer flights are well within the H175’s EMS capabilities. A class 1 high-speed double hoist aids critical pick-up of patients, while the 4-metre-long spacious cabin with a full flat floor facilitates use of stretchers. Flexible cabin arrangements include a cabin-cockpit separation curtain and a medical wall, while direct access to the large rear cargo compartment aids rescue operations. A sea state 6-certified emergency flotation system and a drip tray give added protection during water rescues. The night vision compatible cockpit allows for after-dark operations.

At maximum weight, the H175 can perform a hover out of ground effect (HOGE) at ISA+20°C up to an altitude of 5,800 ft. It also has a high power margin in One Engine Inoperative (OEI) conditions. These margins constitute an important guarantee of safety during hoist operations and enable the H175 to maintain hover flight or a rate of climb better than 500 ft./min. in ISA+20°C conditions at sea level.

The highly rated engine can perform long and safe hoists with the possibility of extending power up to 30 minutes, continuously, and up to 50 minutes, cumulatively, during one flight.

For the private and business aviation and VIP markets Airbus offers a cabin configured and designed in partnership with Pegasus Design. Flowing lines, symmetry and harmonious materials and colors bring a special touch of elegance and luxury to the helicopters’ interiors.

The H175 VIP version is offered in 3 different styles, all accommodating 6 to 8 passengers. The unique cabin layout incorporates 2 seating areas. The forward zone provides a lounge atmosphere with facing club seating for 4 passengers, while an aft sofa-style seat comfortably accommodates 3 passengers. Options include electrochromatic windows, an in-flight entertainment system and wireless connectivity. Featuring more window area than walls, the rotorcraft ensures panoramic views for all passengers.

The H175 Executive version accommodates 9 to 12 passengers in an atmosphere conducive to both work and relaxation.

In both versions, the H175 provides a jet-like smooth and quiet ride at high speeds, and a climate-controlled cabin – even when the main rotor is stopped.