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H175s Royal Thai Police - helis.com
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by Chris
Pocock - October 20, 2017, 7:36 AM
Airbus Helicopters has delivered two H175s to the Royal
Thai Police—the first customer in Asia to operate the new medium rotorcraft.
The company also reported the first flight of a third H160 prototype. But there
was less good news concerning some earlier deliveries: it was reported that
Australia joined France, Germany and Spain in grounding its Tiger attack
helicopters, following the fatal crash of a German machine in Mali last July.
The Royal Thai Police already operates five H155s, and
two AS365N3+ helicopters supplied by Airbus (previously Eurocopter). The two
new H175s will be used for VIP transportation as well as regular police
missions. They can seat up to 12 passengers in an executive configuration. According
to Airbus, more than 15 H175s have now been delivered and have logged about
12,000 hours to date.
Passenger transport will be the main initial role for the
H160 when deliveries begin in 2019. The third prototype first flew on October
13, with a cabin configuration similar to that of the envisioned production
aircraft. Airbus Helicopters expects first customers to use the H160 for
commercial air transport or oil-and-gas exploration support, followed by an
emergency medical services (EMS) version. The company’s reputation in the
oil-and-gas sector is still affected by the series of accidents and incidents
involving the AS332/H225 series. Despite being cleared to resume flying by
airworthiness authorities, oil-and-gas companies operating as far afield as the
North Sea and the South China Sea, and the labor unions representing their
workers, have shunned the H225. However, AIN is not aware of any military
operator that has not resumed flying this helicopter series.
A similarly negative reputation afflicts the Tiger attack
helicopter, which has suffered from reliability issues throughout its service
life, particularly in Australia. The Asia-Pacific Aerospace Report (APAR)
learned recently that the Australian Army has not lifted the grounding of its
Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARHs) that was imposed after the German
crash on July 22. The German Army Tiger fleet is flying again, but with
restrictions on weight, autopilot operation and flight in turbulent conditions.
An Australian defense ministry spokesman told APAR that the Army was awaiting
further advice from the manufacturer and other Tiger operators before resuming
flying.
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