The Airbus Helicopters H125, one of the world’s most versatile utility rotorcraft, is now available in the Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) Marketplace!
Decades of Development
The H125 is a single-engine, multi-mission, light utility helicopter manufactured by European rotorcraft consortium Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus. It seats up to seven, including pilot. The H125 is the culmination of decades of evolutionary rotary wing development and it is renowned for its versatility, reliability, and excellent high-altitude performance.
Development of the airframe that would become the H125 began in the early 1970s by French aerospace company Aérospatiale. Initially designated the AS350 Écureuil (Squirrel), the helicopter was designed to replace Aérospatiale’s venerable Alouette II, the world’s first turbine-powered production rotorcraft. The AS350 Écureuil took its maiden flight on June 27, 1974, and Aérospatiale introduced it into service in 1975.
Refined Performance
Since the AS350’s introduction, the airframe has undergone several evolutionary improvements and today the H125 is regarded as one of the finest, most reliable, and best performing helicopters in the history of aviation. Its uses include military, law enforcement, powerline support and maintenance, air ambulance, firefighting, industrial aerial work, photography and videography, aerial surveying and geotechnical applications, search and rescue, and passenger transport. It ranks as one of the best helicopters ever made for performance in high and hot flight conditions. The H125 set a world record in 2005 for the highest altitude landing and take-off when one touched down and re-launched on the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 29,032 feet above sea level.
The H125 features a 3-blade main rotor system with a “Starflex” rotor head that maximizes efficiency and longevity. The fuselage and rotors are constructed of advanced composites for strength, light weight, and longevity.
The H125 measures 42 feet, 5 inches in overall length (D-value), stands 10 feet, 4 inches tall, and has a main rotor diameter of 35 feet, 1 inch. It is powered by a single Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2D turboshaft engine that delivers up to 952 shaft horsepower for take-off and up to 856 shaft horsepower for continuous operation. The powerplant uses an advanced dual-channel FADEC (full authority digital engine control) unit to optimize performance.
The H125’s light weight, high-output engine, and design gives it legendary performance. It has a maximum endurance of 4 hours, 27 minutes, a maximum range of 391 miles, and a service ceiling of 23,000 feet above sea level. It climbs at 1,959 feet per minute and has a cruise speed of 157 miles per hour. It has an in-ground-effect hover ceiling of 14,500 feet above sea level and an out-of-ground-effect hover ceiling of 12,700 feet above sea level.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator Airbus Helicopters H125
The Microsoft Flight Simulator Airbus Helicopters H125 is reproduced in the finest detail, comes with the official Airbus Helicopters livery and is ready for flight around the world today for USD $14.99. The sky is calling!
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