The H145: two engines and room for the whole ski party

The H145 is Airbus's light twin. Two Safran Arriel 2E engines of 894 shp each drive a bearingless five-blade main rotor, unveiled at Heli-Expo in 2019. The fifth blade added 150 kg of useful load and raised maximum take-off weight to 3,800 kg.

Useful load is now 1,905 kg. Cabin and rear cargo compartment together give 6.03 m³. Airbus lists up to ten passengers, while standard transport layouts seat eight, as our spec strip shows.

Why the twin matters in the mountains

Two engines give a margin over high terrain that a single cannot offer. For some families and corporate travel policies, that alone settles the choice. The H145 also carries Airbus's Helionix avionics and a four-axis autopilot. Both ease the pilot's workload around Geneva and in changeable valley weather.

Recommended cruise is 130 kt, with a range of 351 nm on standard tanks at sea level. Endurance is about three and a half hours. Geneva to Courchevel and back fits within one fuel load with margin to spare.

Routes the H145 suits

On Geneva to Courchevel and Geneva to Verbier, it moves a family of six to eight with skis and boot bags in one rotation. With a light single, the same party would often need two.

On the Riviera it can be more machine than a short hop needs. On Nice to Saint-Tropez with eight people, though, one H145 keeps the party together rather than splitting it across two smaller aircraft.

Quiet for a twin

Like the H130, it uses an enclosed Fenestron tail rotor. Airbus rates it the quietest helicopter in its class, at 85.7 dB in level flight. It is also certified to fly on a 50 per cent blend of sustainable aviation fuel.

How the H145 compares

Against the AW109 GrandNew, the H145 is slower but carries more people and more luggage. When the party is above eight, or the luggage is heavy, the larger AW139 is the next step.