Airbus H140 Powering through Flight Testing | Aviation International News

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H140 Powering through Flight Testing

Fourth prototype, the program’s first aircraft built in full serial configuration, set to join the fleet this year

H140 — The H140 prototype (PT1) completed a "hot and high" campaign across Spain and the French Pyrenees, logging approximately 120 flight hours since June 2023. © Airbus Helicopters

By Charlotte Bailey • News Reporter

March 4, 2026

A year after revealing the H140, Airbus remains confident that the program is on track to meet its projected 2028 entry into service. A fourth aircraft is also on schedule to augment the flight-test fleet later this year. Meanwhile, the company has already amassed firm orders for 61 H140s, propelling the platform to become the best-selling light twin in the EASA CS- 27/FAA FAR Part 27 segment over the past year.

“The unveiling of the H140 is underlined by the sales success we had last year,” said Airbus v-p of light twin helicopter programs Dirk Petry. Counting both orders and options, the company has commitments for more than 100 of the as-yet-uncertified helicopters, outperforming the company’s bookings for 45 H135s last year. However, Petry maintains that the H135 will continue to be a valuable asset to “many public services and military training contracts,” and the H140 is “not a replacement” for its smaller sibling.

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