Airbus Helicopters has secured European Aviation Safety Agency certification for its new Helionix-equipped H135 light twin.

Announced in October 2015, the modification adds the same next-generation avionics system, including a four-axis autopilot, already found in the airframer’s H145 medium-twin and H175 super-medium helicopters.

Axel Humpert, the head of the H135 programme, says: “The certification of the H135 with Helionix marks another milestone in the permanent evolution of this helicopter.”

First delivery of a Helionix-equipped H135 will be early next year to the Drøbak, Norway-based launch customer Norsk Luftambulanse. Ascent Flight Training – which provides training to the UK armed forces – will be the first military customer.

Although Airbus Helicopters is still building H135s to two earlier standards – the P2/T2 variant and the pre-Helionix P3/T3 – from 2018 it will standardise production on a single variant.