Airbus is fielding interest from “a range of customers” in Canada following domestic certification of the H175 super-medium helicopter, but won’t say if the type has landed its first operator or when deliveries might begin.
Still, the company sees significant potential for search-and-rescue (SAR), law enforcement and emergency medical services (EMS) in Canada’s harsh and unforgiving cold-weather climate.
“We tend to believe it’s actually made for Canada,” said Dwayne Charette, president of Airbus Helicopters Canada. “[In] other geographical locations that are similar to to Canada, I think it’s the perfect aircraft.”
The company announced Transport Canada certification of the H175 on Wednesday, following a review that took more than a year.
Airbus completed cold-weather testing on the type in London, Ontario, and in Norway, accumulating more than 115 flight hours in different icing conditions in Canada.
London is close to three of the Great Lakes (Huron, Erie, and Ontario), and is part of a snow-belt region where lake-effect squalls are common in winter. The summers are typically hot and humid.
Airbus also tested the H175 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador; Edmonton, Alberta; and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The company used an Antonov transporter to carry the H175 to western Canada.
“We were able to gather all the data, and the aircraft performed as expected,” said Charette. “We’re very proud for what it represents.”
There is no timeline for the first delivery, and Charette declined to comment on projections for how many H175s the Canadian market can accommodate. He also declined to speak about a potential launch customer, citing company policy.
He did note the type’s versatility and its multi-mission capability. Airbus has positioned the H175 as an “all-weather helicopter,” with capacity for up to 18 passengers, a 155-knot cruise speed, six-hour endurance, and 600-nautical-mile range.
“When we look at the missions across Canada, where our helicopters are used, this one can carry out any of those missions [SAR, law enforcement and EMS],” said Charrette.
“I think it speaks about the continued investment from Airbus into Canada,” he added. “We continue to invest in Canada.”
– with files from Chris Thatcher
