Airbus has delivered a third five-bladed H145 to Melbourne-based Microflite Aviation, marking the 21st Airbus helicopter to join the operator’s robust fleet. The new aircraft joins a diverse lineup, ranging from single-engine H120s, H125 and H130, to twin-engine H135s and H145s. It will support Microflite’s expanding mission profile, which now includes military training alongside commercial utility, fire observation, and rescue operations.
“As a young and dynamic aviation company with a strong vision to lead excellence in aviation, we have a combined fleet of 26 aircraft across rotary and fixed wing, conducting passenger, aerial work, and emergency services operation, and the H145 has proven to be an exceptional workhorse for our multi-mission operations,” said Rodney Higgins, Microflite’s Chief Executive. “With this third five-bladed H145 now officially joining the fleet, we look forward to seeing the positive impact these versatile helicopters will continue to make across our commercial and training operations.”
Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines and equipped with a spacious cabin, the H145 is perfectly suited for the challenging terrains and time-critical missions that define Australia’s EMS landscape.
“We deeply value our partnership with Microflite. As an Airbus-appointed maintenance and pilot training centre, their continued trust in the H145 speaks volumes about its reliability. We look forward to seeing this aircraft support their expanding operations, from type-rated training to border surveillance, fire management, and utility missions,” said Christian Venzal, Managing Director for Australia & New Zealand, Airbus Helicopters. “The H145 is designed around safety for crews in demanding conditions. This delivery endorses our commitment to supporting Microflite with proven technology, empowering them to deliver world-class training and safe outcomes for the communities they serve,” he added.
The five-bladed D3 variant offers a significant performance increase, providing an additional payload of 150kg. This enhancement gives the aircraft the best useful load-to-maximum takeoff ratio in its class (light, twin-engine utility), making it a highly competitive choice for EMS missions where every kilogram counts. With more than 1,750 H145 family helicopters in service around the world deployed in public service, law enforcement, and emergency medical service missions, the H145 has over eight million flight hours logged and is renowned for its reliability, versatility, and advanced technology, making it a market leader.
Technologically, the H145 incorporates a cutting-edge cockpit design with the most modern Human Machine Interface (HMI) and a Fenestron anti-torque device as the tail rotor . The helicopter’s CO2 emissions are the lowest amongst its competitors, and it sets the standard for sound levels in its class. Central to its safety profile is the state-of-the-art Helionix avionics suite. Connected to the wACS, Helionix provides undisputed superiority for in-flight envelope protection, pilot assistance, and data transfer time savings. Combined with high situational awareness, these features provide unprecedented levels of flight safety while meeting the latest international avionics standards through innovative alerting and self-monitoring systems.
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