Test Success: Helicopter H175 discovers a novel route for its return
Airbus H175 Helicopter Completes Unconventional Ferry Flight
An Airbus H175 helicopter has successfully completed an extraordinary ferry flight, traversing the North Atlantic and Europe in a series of strategic stops. This unique journey marked a significant personal milestone for crew member Michel Oswald, who is retiring.
The helicopter's route began in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, and continued through Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Aberdeen, Scotland, Oxford, England, and finally Provence, France. This unconventional routing was chosen to manage range and operational constraints, leveraging established helicopter or small aircraft bases and oil/gas industry infrastructure known for supporting helicopter operations.
The H175 helicopter handled the journey exceptionally, demonstrating its exceptional range, robustness, and the maturity, reliability, and efficiency of its Full Icing Protection System. This system proved crucial as the crew navigated through extensive arctic glaciers and long stretches of the Atlantic Ocean.
The crew's journey offered absolutely spectacular views, including pack ice, icebergs, glaciers, frozen fjords, snow-capped islands, volcanoes, and lava-filled landscapes. A special guest onboard the H175 was a plush moose, which traveled with the crew from Canada to France and was included in the travel diary online.
Upon the helicopter's return to Marignane, it was greeted with a water salute, a tradition reserved for special occasions. The event was captured on video and presented as a look at the H175's welcome return to its home base.
The ferry flight marked the end of the de-icing campaign for the H175, providing additional proof of the helicopter's ability to perform in extremely cold weather. The crew's progress was followed day after day by people who were there to welcome them back, making the return a true celebration.
According to crew member Prunel, the ferry flight served as a real adventure. For Michel Oswald, it was a special gift in his career at Airbus, a fitting end to a distinguished career. The H175 demonstrated its capabilities once again, proving to be a reliable and efficient workhorse in even the most challenging conditions.
In the course of its unique journey, the Airbus H175 helicopter navigated through various industry sectors, including the aerospace and oil/gas, showcasing its versatility and adaptability. The completion of the ferry flight also marked a significant financial milestone for Airbus, affirming the helicopter's market value in the competitive finance sector.
