Linfox Group has taken delivery of Australia’s first Airbus H160 helicopter, with local entry-into-service support provided by Part 145 maintenance organisation Pacific Crown Helicopters.
The helicopter will be used for Linfox Group’s business and corporate aviation operations across Australia, including flights between urban and regional locations.
“Linfox has built its reputation over decades on the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and operational performance, and the H160 reflects exactly those principles,” said Linfox founder Lindsay Fox. “Being the first to bring this aircraft into service in Australia is a proud moment for our team and a clear statement of our commitment to operating the most technologically advanced platform on the market.”
Pacific Crown Helicopters (PCH), a Part 145-certified maintenance organisation and Airbus Helicopters partner, prepared the aircraft for its entry into service in Australia. The company will provide local maintenance support for the H160.
Linfox Aviation has configured the helicopter for eight passengers, compared with the H160’s certified capacity of up to 12 passengers.
The H160 is equipped with the Helionix avionics suite, which integrates flight-management and aircraft systems to support pilot workload management and situational awareness.
The helicopter is powered by Safran Arrano engines and can operate on fuel blends containing up to 50 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Its Blue Edge main rotor blades are designed to reduce external noise compared with previous-generation rotor systems.
Airbus said the H160’s reduced empty weight provides an additional payload capability of up to 100 kg or approximately 60 nm of additional range, depending on the operating configuration.
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“We are incredibly proud of this endorsement of the H160 by one of Australia’s most respected operators,” stated Olivier Michalon, Executive Vice President of Global Business at Airbus Helicopters. “The H160 joins their fleet as the world’s most technologically advanced medium twin-engine helicopter, exceptionally suited for Australia’s varied terrain,” he added.
The delivery adds Australia to the H160’s growing global in-service fleet, with more than 70 helicopters operating worldwide and more than 14,000 flight hours accumulated over the past year.
