Lift Off of H160 with Blue Edge(TM) Blade

Abstract

Integrating the vertical flight in our modern environment is an engine of progress for any technological product. H160 helicopter is a good illustration of the most recent market evolution. Recently certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in July 2020, the last Airbus Helicopters' multi-role twin-engine rotorcraft introduced the latest technological innovations for the benefit of all: passengers, pilots, operators, population. Comfort improvement and sound reduction are some examples of added values of this helicopter where the Blue Edge(TM) main rotor blade is exploited as a new technological mean as presented in Ref. 1 and Ref. 2. Nevertheless, such progress is only achievable if the expectations of continuous improvements on the safety and the airworthiness are satisfied. The paper presents the optimization studies of the serial design, the means of compliance and substantiations according to the latest standard of certification regulations applied on the Blue Edge(TM) main rotor blades with a special focus on the fatigue tolerance and threat assessment.