Breeze-Eastern (Booth 11944) introduced a new DC brushless motor and controller for 20200 Series rescue hoists, and expects the new product to enter service in the fall. The upgraded hoist, designated as BL-20200-440, features unlimited duty cycle, a 60-percent increase in speed and lower power consumption.

Also part of Breeze-Eastern’s Heli-Expo exhibit is its Scout mission data recorder and hook illumination package, mounted on a 29900 hoist. This, and the Insight wireless app/tablet, is part of the company’s MissionView family of situational awareness products.

Scout, which works with Breeze-Eastern hoists, cables and rescue hooks, features 16 RGBLED lights to improve visibility in low light conditions and help crew maintain a visual reference with the hook. Insight wirelessly delivers mission data to enhance maintenance, training and mission effectiveness.

CAE Oslo’s helicopter training center at Oslo Gardermoen Airport in Norway has obtained approval by Airbus Helicopters for its H225 simulator. The approval process included evaluation of the simulator to verify its fidelity compared with Airbus Helicopters’ simulation package and training of CAE’s instructors.

“It is an honor to be the first independent training provider to receive Airbus Helicopters approval,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE group president of Civil Aviation Training Solutions.

While the simulator provides mission-specific training for offshore oil-and-gas, search-and-rescue and military operating profiles, the Airbus Helicopter approval covers only recurrent training.

The Asia Pacific civil helicopter fleet saw a 4.5 percent increase in 2015 over the previous year, according to Hong Kong-based aviation brokerage, charter provider and consultancy Asian Sky Group. Here at Heli-Expo, the company released its second annual year-end Asia Pacific Region Civil Helicopter Fleet Report, which notes that the growth leader in 2015, as in the previous year, was China, which added 118 helicopters for a 20 percent increase year-over-year. The report also notes the size of helicopter fleets in two-thirds of the Asian nations either remained static, or actually contracted over the past year.

Australia represents the largest helicopter market in the region, with more than 2,000 rotorcraft in operation, and its fleet grew last year at a rate of 3 percent. That is not expected to increase this year as the country grapples with a weakened Australian dollar, a decrease in mineral exports and the slumping global oil-and-gas market.

“One of the engines of growth that was certainly influencing the fleets in the Asia Pacific region was the oil-and-gas business,” noted Jeffrey Lowe, Asian Sky’s managing director. “So if you look at 2012, ’13 and ’14, that was certainly driving a lot of expansion in the fleets but that was gone for 2015.” According to the report, oil-and-gas drilling rig utilization worldwide is down to 70 percent compared to 95 percent several years ago, with the Asia-Pacific market reflecting similar trends. Last year, the offshore segment in the region saw limited to zero growth with nearly a third of the existing offshore fleet of medium and heavy lift helicopters either idle or preparing for other mission utilization at year end.

The four largest users in the region-Australia, New Zealand, Japan and China-together claim 73 percent of the 6,015-strong helicopter fleet, which is dominated by Robinson (1,882), Airbus Helicopters (1,599) and Bell Helicopter (1,195). While New Zealand also notched a 7 percent increase in its rotorcraft fleet in 2015 with 53 helicopters (81 percent of them pre-owned) added to its fleet, Japan saw a 3 percent contraction due largely to the retirement of older piston, single-engine and medium-size helicopters, and their replacement with fewer but newer models like the S-76D and AW139.

Asian Sky is here at Heli-Expo exhibiting with Avpro (Booth 2607).

Airbus Helicopters has introduced “HForce,” a new “generic” weapon system for the H125M light single, H145M light twin and H225M medium twin helicopters. The newly structured offer, focused on the manufacturer’s military commercial rotorcraft, follows an “incremental” approach to arming them. It includes a variety of ballistic and guided weapons, along with associated targeting systems.

“We can do air-to-air, air-to-surface and air-to-ground,” Philippe Kohn, sales promotion manager, said during a press briefing at Airbus Helicopters’ Marignane, France, headquarters in late February.

In the “option zero” level of equipment, the helicopter is just “mission ready.” This means the airframe is reinforced where needed to accommodate guns and pods, while the electric harness includes accompanying provisions. “Option zero is deterrent, as your neighbors will know you can easily turn your basic aircraft into light attack helicopters,” Kohn said.

Option 1 adds ballistic firing with a helmet-mounted sight and display (HMSD)—Thales’s Scorpion monocular lens—for the pilot. In option 2, the gunner gets a HMSD too, and an electro-optical system (EOS) based on a Wescam forward-looking infrared turret. The gunner can fire with the EOS, or the pilot can fire with his HSMD. In option 3, guided weapons are available. The system is designed to work with a gun turret, which could become option 4, Kohn added.

For guided weapons, Airbus has selected FZ laser-guided rockets. The manufacturer also offers the possibility to integrate air-to-ground missiles on request. Air-to-air missiles are described as a growth potential. As for ballistic weapons, a 20mm cannon, a 12.7mm machine gun and 70mm rockets are available.

A customer may want to choose other weapons than those Airbus has selected. “If a customer wants another gun, we can integrate it, but our basic offer is the best compromise in operational, cost and time-to-market terms,” Kohn warned.

Although a lower-cost option than a Tiger attack helicopter, a military commercial helicopter equipped with HForce has the same crew resource management approach. “The pilot flies, the gunner fights,” Kohn said. The first fire of a testbed H225M is scheduled for May, leading to qualification next year.

“We have eight customers deeply interested and will hopefully sign a contract this year,” Kohn said. Other commercial helicopters in the Airbus product range may eventually become part of the HForce offer.

Rolls-Royce honored maintenance provider StandardAero with its “Customer Satisfaction” and “Program Investment” awards at its First Network recognition reception on February 29 here at Heli-Expo show. The awards recognize authorized service centers that provide support for Rolls-Royce’s M250 turboshafts.

For the seventh year in succession, StandardAero won the “Customer Satisfaction” award, which recognizes facilities with the highest customer satisfaction ratings based on customer letters, performance, likelihood-to-recommend scores, third party monitoring and customer surveys. The “Program Investment” recognizes the company’s commitment to upgrading its capability, such as a $5 million spend in enhancing its plating facility.

StandardAero has supported the M250 engine for almost 50 years and is one of the long-serving members of the Rolls-Royce First network. “We are thrilled to continue our long winning streak for these prestigious awards,” said Manny Atwal, the company’s vice president for helicopters.

HeliExpo 2016 attendees eagerly flocked to the Kentucky Exposition Center for the opening day of the show yesterday morning, likely hoping to see some new helicopter models and learn more about product offerings from exhibitors. Phtoos

As it prepares to make concept revisions to The Official Helicopter Blue Book, publisher HeliValue$ is inviting show attendees to visit its booth (6146) for a preview and to voice their opinions about what they would like see in terms of rotorcraft base pricing, average installed equipment and historical price comparisons.

“We’ve planned some changes based on our clients’ requests,” said Jason Kmiecik, the company’s vice president of operations. “Now we want to get feedback before finalizing any new additions to our website, and Heli-Expo is the perfect place for a huge number of people to look at our ideas and give us their opinions on how to make them even better.”

The price guide has been published continuously since 1979 as a resource for helicopter resale pricing, technical specifications, technical and operational analyses, and residual projections for more than 200 different commercial models and their components. Two years ago Kmiecik launched the company’s new website, and since then has been meeting with clients to plan its next evolution.

Global aviation MRO provider Vector Aerospace is displaying its new crash-resistant retrofit fuel tank for the Airbus Helicopters AS350 and EC130 here at Heli-Expo. Designed in cooperation with Robertson Fuel Systems (Booth 8739), the direct replacement primary fuel tank features safety improvements such as modernized fuel retention technology and the relocation of critical components, which will also ease maintenance. Vector is showing the tank installed in an AS350 fuselage at its Heli-Expo booth (7566).

Vector noted it is also consulting with Onboard Systems to ensure that the new tank remains compatible with that company’s AStar cargo swing solutions. “The combination of Vector Aerospace’s engineering expertise and Robertson’s extensive experience in fuel system development allows us to offer a new lightweight, low-cost composite technology fuel tank that enhances operational safety, ease of maintenance and installation applicable to the AS350/EC130 aircraft market,” said Elvis Moniz, vice president of business development with Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America. “We are excited to be working with Robertson Fuel Systems to obtain FAA and EASASTC certification for this cost-effective retrofittable fuel tank solution.”

The British Columbia-based company also announced that it has been selected by fellow Canadian rotorcraft services provider Eagle Copters to provide MRO services for its Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T engines. Vector has been supporting the engine since 1988 as a distributor and designated overhaul facility and currently holds Transport Canada (AMO 231-91) and DAO, European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAR 145) licenses for the powerplant.

Pall Aerospace and Dart Aerospace announced that the PA100 Pureair, an engine inlet barrier filter for Airbus Helicopter models H125/AS350 and EC130 helicopters, has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) from EASA.

The redesigned filter uses Pureair vortex tubes for self-cleaning and is said to be virtually maintenance free. While providing a high level of filtration, Pureair also provides a 2-percent gain in engine power, according to the manufacturer.

Here at Heli-Expo 2016, Pall Aerospace (Booth 8536) is displaying the Pureair filter on a Liberty Helicopters Airbus H125/AS350 and EC130.

MD Helicopters, which recently secured an order for the MD 530G from the Malaysia Ministry of Defense, is moving forward with the next developments in its product lines, including a series of enhancements to its 902 Explorer, as well as plans for a new single-engine attack helicopter the company calls the 6XX, company owner and CEO Lynn Tilton told attendees here at Heli-Expo.

Noting that the company had been busy with the launch of the 530G as well as the ramp up of the MD 530F Cayuse Warrior, “We definitely took our attention away from the 902,” Tilton said, but added “we’re finally in place to take the first step with the relaunch and recertification of the 902.”

The helicopter recently began flight trials with the new Universal Avionics InSight integrated flight deck that replace the aging Bendix/King EFIS 40 displays. The displays are among a number of upgrades that the company is eying, including a more powerful Notar system, a lighter-weight structure, new autopilot and development of a militarized version.

The military version “will be built like the 530G on the line with complete assault and attack system,” she said, adding the development of this variant “allows us to rationalize the big expense to bring this aircraft back to the market and allow us to increase sales because today we are probably almost 60 percent in military sales.” This is up from 50 percent last year.

MD Helicopters also is focused on reducing costs, Tilton added, “by building a lot of parts in house. We are moving the fuselage production to Arizona, as well as building a composite center to build a lot of parts there.” This is a similar approach the company took to the single-engine lines to reduce price, she said. MD Helicopters hopes to deliver the first new 902s early next year.

Tilton said she plans to have the new attack helicopter, the 6XX, ready by the end of 2018; she did not identify possible customers. Carl Schopfer, chief technology officer, gave a “snapshot” of the new single-engine helicopter, saying the company has looked at a potential new cockpit, more volume, at least a 400-nm range and potential changes to rotor blades.

The 6XX will incorporate a new Rolls-Royce M250-C47E/3 variant, which will improve efficiency and performance. Rolls-Royce said the engine has demonstrated up to 8 percent improvement in hot and high power and 4 percent increase in rated takeoff power at 675 shp. The engine further will provide reduced specific fuel consumption, which will increase range and payload.

MD Helicopters is launching the M250-C47E/3 for the MD 530-series, in addition to the growth-derivatives airframes.

Finmeccanica’s AW Trekker light twin made its first flight Wednesday at the company’s Cascina Costa, Italy helicopter division. The nominal flight included an assessment of general handling and basic systems. Two prototypes will be used for the flight test program, and EASA certification is expected by year-end.

The Trekker is a skidded version of the company’s AW109S Grand and features advanced single-pilot IFR Genesys Aerosystems avionics and a pair of Fadec-equipped, 815 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C engines that deliver a maximum speed of 168 knots. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 7,000 pounds and will have an endurance of four hours, 20 minutes or 445 nm with a modular, five-cell fuel system. The Trekker has attracted 20 orders to date. It is aimed primarily at the EMS and utility markets.

Latitude Technologies (Booth 7456) is displaying its IONode HFDM (helicopter flight data management) system, SkyNode voice and data transceivers, Latitude Flight Data Analytics, the company’s web-based flight analytics platform and its latest version of WebSentinel, Latitude’s web-based flight following, mapping, and messaging platform here at Heli-Expo. Latitude is a global supplier of flight data management, flight following, and satcom solutions for helicopter operators.

The full flight helicopter simulator market grew a little more crowded with word that German manufacturer Reiser Simulation and Training has started construction on its first level D device, an Airbus Helicopters H145 simulator.

In operation for more than a quarter-century, the family-owned, Bavaria-based company has a staff of 200 employees and provides flight-training solutions for aircraft from the Pilatus PC-21 turboprop to the Eurofighter Typhoon. “We deliver simulators that are built on data collection,” noted company CEO Roman Sperl. “We do not rely on OEM data, but we collect the data on our own.”

The current custom project, Reiser’s first commercial helicopter simulator, was ordered by a German helicopter EMS provider that has acquired H145s. “We did a data acquisition campaign and we’re doing the flight model on our own,” Sperl told AIN. We wanted to learn about flight data acquisition. It is probably not the easier way but it is something that we were always of the belief that brings the company forward.”

As for the business model, when Reiser (Booth 8559) installs the device at the operator’s Cologne facility in the first quarter of 2017, it will maintain ownership of the simulator as it aims to become a service provider as well as a manufacturer, with the customer paying per hour of usage. Reiser will be responsible for the equipment and the operator will handle the training. When the device is not being used the primary client, Reiser can rent it out to other operators, an arrangement Sperl sees as becoming more common. “I would say that people will not have the money to pay for the acquisition of the flight training device but they will rather be looking for some solutions where they can just pay by the hour,” he said. The leasing in effect spreads the costs among several companies and gives Reiser a training center without having to build one.

The company provides simulators for maintenance as well. A recent project for the German and French governments saw it build five maintenance training rigs for the NH-90 Tiger, each a full-scale replica of the entire helicopter consisting of 30,000 specially made non-functional parts, but constructed to a tolerance that would allow the substitution of actual parts and components if the customer would chose to do so later.

The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) was rechartered during a signing ceremony at Heli-Expo on Tuesday. The IHST was formed in 2006 with the goal of reducing helicopter accidents by 80 percent over 10 years. While the IHST has fallen short of that goal, IHST co-chairs Matt Zuccaro, president of HAI, and Lance Gant, manager of the FAA’s rotorcraft directorate (Aircraft Certification Service), said it is important that the group’s work continue.

Zuccaro said that, thanks to the IHST’s work, “the safety culture and the awareness of safety has increased quite a bit over the last several years” and that ultimately no accidents “can be the only goal.”

Gant said the IHST's work has “raised awareness and has had a positive impact. We’ve seen some positive trends here in the United States and [elsewhere] where the IHST has had a presence.”

According to data provided by the IHST, before the group’s formation, the number of worldwide civil helicopter accidents was rising at a rate of 2.5 percent per year. Since 2006, the worldwide civil helicopter fleet has grown by 30 percent, but the number of accidents worldwide has decreased in key global regions from 24 to 50 percent and the accident rate in key regions has decreased within a range of 40 to 60 percent. In the U.S., the civil helicopter accident rate has been cut in half within the last 10 years, reaching 3.67 per 100,000 flight hours, using the comparison of the 2001-2005 baseline rate of 7.97 set by the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team. Total accidents have been reduced by 33 percent compared to the baseline; fatal accidents are down 41 percent and the fatal accident rate is down 61 percent compared to a decade ago. 

Helifab (Booth 2804) recently received EASA approval for its S-76 auxiliary fuel tank system. The 62-gallon tank, already approved by the FAA and Brazil’s ANAC, installs in the baggage compartment. The kit can be installed in combination with the Air Comm air-conditioning system and still leaves 13 cu ft of baggage space. The quick-release feature allows the tank to be removed or re-installed in less than 30 minutes. The only holes cut into the rotorcraft main tanks are those for the two level sensing valves installed in the main tank access covers. The complete installation takes approximately 60 man-hours, not including aircraft prep or cure time.

Astronautics is partnering with Globavia LEAT and Erickson to help bring its new RoadRunner electronic flight instrument to the marketplace.

Astronautics (Booth 8162) detailed the partnerships as it unveiled plans at Heli-Expo Tuesday to develop RoadRunner to replace aging attitude direction indicators and horizontal situation indicator primary flight instruments in legacy helicopter cockpits with new digital displays that incorporate telicopter terrain awareness and warning systems and synthetic vision.

Under the agreement with LEAT, the two companies will collaborate for upgrades on AW109 and AB 412 helicopters. LEAT will develop the cable adapter kit, obtain the supplemental type certificate for RoadRunner on the AW109 and sell, install and maintain the RoadRunner units. LEAT has placed an initial order for 30 of the systems.

Erickson and Astronautics have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on certification for the display and upgrade kits. Erickson already has participated in a demonstration flight. The agreement would make Astronautics a preferred supplier to Erickson, providing hardware, software and technical data. The companies also will pursue retrofit applications for aircraft, targeting medium twin turbine helicopters in particular.

Astronautics is hoping to receive supplemental type certification either later this year or early next year for new RoadRunner. Astronautics president Chad Cundiff estimated the cost of the new units would be around $50,000, which includes HTAWS.

Rolls-Royce has expanded repair and overhaul options for its M250 and RR300 engines with the addition new service providers for the turboshafts. Existing M250 service providers Cadorath and H-S Tool & Parts, which are part of the engine maker’s First network, are to become authorized service centers for the RR300. At the same time, Brazil’s IAS is joining the First network and will support both engines.

Cadorath, which has facilities in Winnipeg, Canada, and Lafayette, La., has been supporting the M250 family for more than 30 years. Richmond, Canada-based H-S Tool & Parts has been in the Rolls service network for more than 40 years. IAS is based in Belo Horizonte in southeastern Brazil.

“Rolls-Royce focuses on providing the best service options for M250 and RR300 engine operators,” said Rolls-Royce First network manager Mark Thompson. “These new authorized service locations expand those options, while bringing the power of competition to the marketplace. The freedom of choice, matched with global reach and trusted service, bring outstanding value to operators in the field.”

Earlier this year, Waypoint Leasing opened a new office in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, expanding the helicopter leasing company’s support not only for the challenging Brazil oil-and-gas market but also for all of Latin America, according to Steffen Bay, vice president of marketing and sales. “We have a significant business in Brazil,” he told AIN. “We believe in the long term. It’ll balance out eventually, and we need to be close to customers in these tough times. It doesn’t make sense to put our head in the sand.”

Waypoint also announced the opening of new offices in Brisbane, Australia, and Cape Town, South Africa. The Brisbane office, with five aircraft, is headed by Chris Wakefield and will open in April. Con Barber will run the Cape Town office, which launches in the second quarter this year and oversees 12 aircraft based in Africa.

Yesterday Waypoint announced a sale and leaseback agreement for three AW139s with Bristow Group. The AW139s will be based in Guyana.

In a recent deal, Waypoint signed a purchase and leaseback agreement with Brazil's Omni Helicopters covering four Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopters. The agreement is with Omni Helicopters International, a strategic partnership between Stirling Square Capital Partners and Omni Group. The aircraft are operating for Omni Taxi Aereo, Brazil’s largest helicopter service operator to the offshore industry by fleet size.

Waypoint has also positioned itself to serve other markets in addition to oil-and-gas, including EMS and parapublic operators. Last year at the Helitech show, Waypoint announced orders and commitments for up to 38 new helicopters, including up to 20 Airbus H135s and firming an earlier contract for 18 Finmeccanica AW189s, AW169s and AW139s. Waypoint’s firm and option orders now stand at more than 125 helicopters valued at over $1.7 billion, and these are scheduled to be delivered during the next five years.

Waypoint now has more than 10 helicopters on lease to EMS operators. “The EMS market has always been a significant segment of the helicopter market,” said CEO Ed Washecka, “and an area of focus since our inception in 2013. EMS is a very different business and market than oil and gas. Waypoint’s team is uniquely qualified in this area, with a tremendous amount of experience from program oversight of light-twin engine aircraft to full-scale management of EMS businesses.”

Waypoint’s fleet numbers more than 120 helicopters worth $1.5 billion spread around the world. The company, headquartered in Limerick, Ireland, also has offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Here at Heli-Expo, Waypoint (Booth 10751) executives plan to meet with customers and potential clients and hold a customer-appreciation event. This year is Waypoint’s third Heli-Expo show.

“Thanks to our experience and expertise in weathering the cycles of the helicopter market, Waypoint Leasing is healthy and open for business,” said Washecka. “There is no doubt that 2015 was a difficult year for the entire energy industry, and a challenging time for many of our customers. While we expect further headwinds through 2016, we are optimistic that as operators make capital allocation decisions, they will increasingly rely on leasing solutions, which enhance operational and financial flexibility.”

Waypoint’s financial backing includes $450 million in equity capital and more than $1.5 billion in debt capacity from more than 25 lenders. The three major long-term investors behind Waypoint are MSD Capital, Quantum Strategic Partners and Cartesian Capital Group.

“We are entrepreneurs who approach helicopter leasing from the perspective of the operator and the end-user,” said Washecka. “As operators, the Waypoint team has personally leased and operated helicopters in dozens of countries throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North and South America. So we truly understand what our helicopter clients are going through. This why we craft our leasing solutions to truly address not just their needs, but the cyclical realities of the helicopter industry.”

For helicopter operators, leasing remains an attractive option, especially in these fragile economic times, according to Bay. “We offer flexibility, and it enhances their fleet planning. If they’re not sure about extending a contract or if they want a new model, they might just lease it before they buy and see how it performs. Leasing is an additional tool for them, especially in countries with high interest rates. They would rather do business with us than a local bank, and it makes leasing with us attractive.”

Waypoint works with operators of all sizes, according to Bay. “Bigger transactions are easier, but it doesn’t matter if it’s two or three or 100 helicopters.” Although the oil-and-gas market “is still a dominant part of the industry,” he added, Waypoint is also focusing on EMS, firefighting, mining and even the windfarming segments. But oil prices and the state of the economy will affect helicopter operators. “We think there will be organic growth and some consolidation,” he said. “The market space is too much for the current players. There will be consolidation this year.”

Interest in Van Horn Aviation’s new carbon-fiber main rotor blade for the Bell 206B Jet Ranger is growing and evident here at Heli-Expo 2016. Aero Products Component Services (Booth 8733) announced yesterday that it has placed an initial purchase order for two sets of the new blades, with the first delivery planned April 1 and the second May 6.

“Our decision to capture first-run delivery positions for the new product was based largely on customer feedback and their overwhelming acceptance of the earlier-released VHA composite 206B/L tailrotor blades,” said Aero Products president Ted Johnson.

With the shiny white, carbon-fiber main rotor blade for the Bell 206B dominating Van Horn Aviation’s Heli-Expo booth (10733), Dean Rosenlof, Van Horn president, finds the experience different–in a good way–from his experiences at previous Heli-Expo shows.

“Before,” he told AIN, “I was used to explaining to people where we were in the development of the blade, how we were doing it and the challenges we were facing. Now, with the blade certified by the FAA, customers want to know when they can get it and how much the 2,900-hour overhaul will cost. Well, we haven’t figured that out yet, because the first overhauls are several years away. But I understand why customers want to know.”

The Van Horn main rotor blades have an 18,000-hour service life, more than triple the life of current OEM 206B metal blades, and require an overhaul every 2,900 hours to maintain this service life. The Van Horn blade lists for $79,500 apiece.

“We have two goals that are priorities for us right now,” Rosenlof said. “One is to increase the production rate of our 206B MRB and the other is to develop a similar blade for the Long Ranger.”

To that end, the company, which is based in Tempe, Ariz., has acquired a Bell Long Ranger for flight testing and plans to begin flying the helicopter with VHA composite Long Ranger main rotor blades by the end of the year. “We’re targeting certification of the blade in 2017,” Rosenlof added.

Turbomeca (Booth 10543) is offering an engine retrofit program that will enable Arriel 2S1-powered Sikorsky S-76C+ operators to upgrade to the Arriel 2S2 S-76C++ configuration. This engine upgrade will be conducted alongside an airframe retrofit program provided by Sikorsky.

The Arriel 2S2 engines deliver greater takeoff and cruise power and higher payload than the original. The engine is 8 percent more powerful than the 2S1, delivering takeoff power of 923 shp, cruise power of 823 shp and maximum one engine inoperative (OEI) rating of 1,033 shp. The 2S2 also features dual-channel Fadec and a TBO that has been extended to 3,850 hours.

The retrofit will be available in the second quarter of 2016. Approximately 12,000 Arriel engines have been produced, of which 700 are the Arriel 2S1 and 2S2 types, together logging 45 million flight hours. Ranging from 650 to 1,000 shp, the Arriel family powers more than 40 different helicopter types.