Helipower takes delivery of first Airbus H125 at RotorTech 2026

Airbus Helicopters has delivered a new H125 helicopter to North Queensland operator Helipower at RotorTech 2026 on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The delivery marks Helipower's first H125 and adds to its growing fleet of five helicopters operating across Townsville, Rockhampton, and Horn Island. 

Christian Venzal, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Australia and New Zealand commented: "We are delighted to support Helipower's growth with the delivery of their new H125. Its proven performance in extreme temperatures and remote locations make it a natural fit for the demanding missions of Australia’s north and we look forward to seeing it in action.”

Director and Chief Pilot at Helipower, Kelly Forster, said the H125 was selected for its ability to operate in the intense heat and humidity of North Queensland. "We're excited to welcome our first H125. It's a proven utility workhorse with the power and reliability our missions require. The spacious, air-conditioned cabin and low vibration levels are a real advantage when operating in challenging conditions day in, day out."

To commemorate the delivery, the keys were handed to Helipower by legendary Airbus test pilot Didier Delsalle, who to this day is the only pilot to have ever landed a helicopter (and a H125, formerly known as the AS350 B3e) on the summit of Mount Everest.  “The H125 is a testament to what is possible when performance meets reliability," said Delsalle. "Having pushed this aircraft to the literal top of the world, it gives me great pride to see another unit delivered here in Australia. This aircraft is built for the world’s most demanding environments, and it is the perfect match for the challenges of the Australian landscape."

The H125 carries up to five passengers with a range of 340 nautical miles (approximately 630 km) and an endurance of four and a half hours, making it well-suited to the long distances and remote staging points typical of North Queensland operations. For aerial work, the aircraft supports an external load capacity of up to 1,200 kg, and can be configured with a cargo hook and external cargo basket for sling operations. An air-conditioned cabin ensures crew and passenger comfort in tropical heat, while optional emergency floats extend its capability to over-water missions. An auxiliary fuel tank option further stretches range where access to refuelling is limited.

Today, more than 200 H125 family helicopters are flying in Australia and 4,300 flying across the globe in the most demanding conditions. It is the absolute market leader in the intermediate single-engine helicopter category, achieving a market share of around 80% in 2024 and surpassing over 40 million flight hours across the global fleet.

Since its maiden flight on 27 June 1974, the H125 (affectionately known in the industry as the "Squirrel"), has undergone continuous innovation. The aircraft provides enhanced safety and reduced pilot workload through its touchscreen glass cockpit, which incorporates the Garmin G500H TXi avionics suite and Airbus-developed Vehicle & Engine Multifunction Display. The H125's wireless connectivity automatically transfers flight data at the end of each flight.