Airbus H125 and H130 helicopter customers will get a boost in their operations thanks to a significant reduction in direct maintenance costs for the Safran Arriel 2D engine, which equips both single-engine types.

The two main improvements provided by Safran are a 25% extension of the time between overhaul (TBO) to 5,000 hours for new and in-service helicopters, and a new three year/2,000 hours warranty conditions — replacing the previous two year/1,000 hours warranty — for all H125 and H130 helicopters delivered in 2018.

H125 and H130 customers will also benefit from the removal of the calendar limitation, which until now required an engine inspection at a repair centre every 15 years, regardless of the number of hours logged. The robustness of the Arriel 2D eliminates the need for a calendar limit on modules 1, 2, 4 and 5, while for module 3, the engine’s condition can be restored during a periodic visit performed at a maintenance centre.

The H125 and H130 lead the single-engine helicopter market, accounting for almost 70% of deliveries in the last five years. Airbus rolled out the 700th H130 in May 2017.