Inside The $20 Million Airbus ACH160 Private Helicopter

0:00 Intro
This is the Airbus ACH160, an aircraft that has revolutionized the future of VIP helicopter aviation. Here is everything you need to know about the Airbus ACH160.

1:15 Cabin
Upon entering the Airbus ACH160 cabin, the new interior is capable of seating up to 10 passengers, and the cabin is both roomy and impeccably organized. With a height of 4 feet 9 inches or 1.45 meters and a width of 6 feet 1 inch or 1.85 meters, passengers are afforded ample room to move around.
The ACH160 offers a variety of seating arrangements to accommodate different passenger needs, whether it's a business meeting or a leisure trip.
The Blue Edge blades and the Fenestron tail rotor contribute to an impressive reduction in noise levels, about 50% quieter than industry standards. On top of that, with adjustable ambient lighting, passengers can tailor their environment to suit their mood or the time of day.
The ACH160 comes equipped with advanced climate control systems that keep the cabin at a constant temperature of approximately 71 degrees Fahrenheit or 22 degrees Celsius.
Talking about amenities, the aircraft offers an entertainment system that features highquality audio and optional foldout screens. There are also storage compartments integrated into the design for stowing away personal items securely.

4:02 Cockpit
Walking into the Airbus ACH160 cockpit, you're greeted by a sophisticated but intuitively designed space.
The cockpit is built around the Helionix avionics suite, an intricate system designed to reduce pilot workload while increasing situational awareness. Featuring large dual screens as PFDs, it offers a clean and clutterfree interface, incorporating synthetic vision systems, traffic collision avoidance, and weather radar. One of the standout features is the 4axis autopilot system, which affords a remarkable level of automated control, whether you're hovering or flying at the helicopter's top cruise speed of 160 knots.
Incorporated into the ACH160 is the dualchannel FADEC, with a third independent backup channel. This advanced system optimizes engine performance, ensuring that the Safran Arrano engines function efficiently and safely. This significantly aids in critical situations, automatically managing engine parameters and even enabling oneengine inoperative capabilities, thereby allowing the chopper to land safely in the event of engine failure.
The helicopter also features Synthetic Vision. This system integrates with the Helionix suite, providing a 3D representation of the terrain, which ensures that pilots have a crystalclear understanding of their surroundings, especially beneficial when flying in lowvisibility conditions. The system also incorporates a power reserve indicator, which calculates the available power in realtime, offering pilots an extra layer of safety.
The communication facilities onboard are topnotch, with satellite communications integrated into the Helionix suite. It offers a straightforward and intuitive means to connect with air traffic control or other aircraft. Also, for those who like to remain connected, the cockpit has provisions for devices with USB charging ports and interfaces to integrate with the pilots' tablets or other electronic flight bags.

6:28 Engine, Performance Specs, and Flying Experience
Now, let’s talk about the engine, performance specifications, and how it flies. As you initiate the startup sequence, the twin Safran Arrano turboshaft engines generate an impressive 1,300 shaft horsepower.
The aircraft features an exceptional rate of climb of 1,280 feet per minute or 390 meters per minute. The helicopter can ascend to a maximum service ceiling of 20,000 feet or 6,100 meters.
The helicopter achieves a maximum cruise speed of 160 knots, and a maximum range of 450 nautical miles or 833 kilometers, which translates to an endurance of 4.5 hours with standard fuel tanks.
These engines have a TBO of 4,000 hours, offering durability and longevity. The ACH160 has a fullfuel payload of 1,800 pounds or 816 kilograms, and a maximum net payload of 2,300 pounds or 1,043 kilograms.

9:19 Purchase and Charter Price
The base purchase price for a new Airbus ACH160 is $14 million before options, and the charter price is estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 per hour. Naturally, prices will vary depending on availability, fuel prices, ground fees, and more.

9:36 Operating Cost
While the annual fixed cost is roughly $500,000 to $750,000, the average hourly operating cost is estimated at $2,000 to $3,000.

9:47 Outro

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