Hong Kong’s Government Flying Service (GFS) has received the first three Airbus H175 super medium twins in a “public service” configuration, bringing welcome news to a program otherwise hindered by the continuing downturn in the oil-and-gas market.
The version ordered by GFS is particularly sophisticated, as it can perform search-and-rescue (SAR), law enforcement, border security, firefighting, passenger transportation, weather monitoring, nuclear radiation measurement and emergency medical services missions. It was certified in mid-May.
The numerous systems on board, from the infrared camera to the radar, search light and dual hoist, are highly integrated. As such, the helicopter carries a high price tag – Hong Kong’s government is paying $165 million for seven helicopters. It’s an important acquisition for the special administrative region of China, and chief executive Carrie Lam attended the delivery ceremony at Airbus Helicopters’ headquarters in Marignane, France.
GFS will be able to change between 26 cabin configurations, adding or removing seats, stretchers and an operator console. It takes 30 minutes to remove all seats and install another configuration, according to Airbus. The cockpit and cabin are compatible with the use of night-vision goggles.
In the cockpit, a fifth display is dedicated to mission information, such as a map or a copy of the console’s display.
On the console, the Euronav 7 moving map includes a receiver for automatic identification systems (the equivalent, for ships, of a transponder). The FLIR 350 infrared camera provides high-definition images and comes with a laser pointer and an illuminator. The Trakka searchlight also has a laser pointer, and can be slaved to the infrared camera. The Telephonics RDR-1700A radar has search, surveillance and weather modes.
Goodrich is supplying the hoists – GFS having chosen a dual configuration for redundancy. Each hoist has 290 feet (90 meters) of usable cable, meaning the rescuer can work well below the downwash. The lifting capability stands at 548 pounds (249 kilograms) and will soon increase to 600 pounds (272 kilograms). The hoist operator can adjust the helicopter’s speed and, when hovering, change its horizontal position relative to the target below.
The autopilot’s SAR modes have been adapted from the H225. They therefore include the “fix and trans down” upper mode. When the helicopter flies over the survivor, the pilot pushes a button. The autopilot then memorizes the position and the helicopter performs an automated pattern that brings it back over the survivor, headwind.
The H175 in public services configuration has five hours of endurance, which translates into a 200-nautical mile radius of action. The calculation includes the fuel burned over the search area and while the victims are winched up. With a 100 nautical mile radius, the helicopter can hoist 15 people and fly them on standard energy-absorption seats.
GFS’ first three H175s are scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong early in July, the other four following by the beginning of 2019. Michael Chan, GFS’s controller, explained the operator is allowing “five-to-six months” for crew conversion. He has not set a date because he wants the introduction to happen “slowly and gently.” The current fleet of seven EC155s and Super Puma AS332 L2s will be phased out.
SAR and police missions account for 55 to 65 percent of the 600 to 700 flight hours GFS flies annually. GFS is “closely cooperating” with China’s in-development rescue service, “passing on expertise to them,” said Chan. The H175 is a 50/50 joint development with China’s Avicopter, but its Chinese counterpart, the AC352, is still in flight tests.
Airbus is ramping up H175 production, with a planned output of 15 this year. However, the oil-and-gas market is still in limbo and, as of June 18, only 23 H175s had entered into service since the type was introduced in 2014. The public services version is the third one certified, after oil-and-gas and VIP.
