Airbus ACH160 on yacht for first time

Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) will this week begin demonstrating the world’s most advanced medium helicopter – the ACH160 – to prospective customers at the Monaco Yacht Show, the world’s foremost super yacht event.

The aircraft will form the centrepiece of a triumvirate of Airbus helicopters also including the market-leading ACH145 and the lighter ACH135 – all fitted to purpose for yacht operations.

The ACH160 promises to be a striking sight over Monaco’s bay on 26th September with a landing and take-off from the 139m Lürssen Flying Fox. It sets a new benchmark in corporate transportation with a blend of innovative technology, speed, comfort and style. Its interior concept is the result of a collaboration between ACH Creative Style Studio and Harrison Eidsgaard, one of the most sought after names in the superyacht design industry.

The first two ACH160 are already on the final assembly line at Airbus’ Marignane plant. EASA Certification of the H160 in transport configuration is due by the end of the year and the first ACH160 will be delivered next year.

Also on display will be an ACH135, equipped with Airbus’ ACH Line in-house interior, embarked on M/Y Bintador, a Tankoa-built 50m yacht at location C09.

The range is rounded off by an ACH145 based on the terrace of the Yacht Club de Monaco. This helicopter is finished in the Mercedes Benz Style Special Edition.

Visitors can also see the latest release of the ACH Yacht Interface App, a tool dedicated to supporting yacht designers and shipbuilders in integrating ACH aircraft into new yacht projects. This tool provides key preliminary information for incorporating ACH helicopters on-board and serves to prevent costly retrofits.

Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters, Frederic Lemos, said: “We are thrilled to be at Monaco once more and we look forward to demonstrating the suitability of our helicopter range to the needs of yacht designers, builders and owners.”

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2018 it generated revenues of € 64 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.