H175 certification opens door for Airbus work in Fort Erie

A rubber stamp in Ottawa might sound dull, but for Fort Erie it could be the green light that gets things off the ground.

Transport Canada has formally certified the Airbus H175 helicopter’s design. Airbus Helicopters expects any future H175s for Canadian customers to receive completion and customization at its Fort Erie facility on Gilmore Road.

Dwayne Charette, president of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, told Fort Erie Radio in an emailed response that the approval means the aircraft now meets Canadian safety and airworthiness standards.

“This allows Canadian operators to officially register, insure, and begin commercial operations with the aircraft,” he said.

Airbus Helicopters does not build the H175 in Fort Erie. Instead, the company expects the Fort Erie site to handle completion and customization work for Canadian deliveries.

“Our goal is to ensure that as the Airbus footprint grows in Canada, so does our capacity for high value manufacturing and long-term career opportunities right here in the country.”

The Gilmore Road facility serves a global supply role for Airbus, according to Charette. The site produces composite parts that go into multiple helicopter models.

“Fort Erie is an Airbus Helicopters centre of excellence for composite manufacturing, producing essential components for eight different Airbus models that fly worldwide,” said Charette.

Airbus reports it has operated in Canada for more than 42 years and provides helicopters for both civil operators and government fleets. The company expects the H175 to attract Canadian operators in energy, public services, corporate aviation, defence and security.

Charette described the H175 as a super-medium helicopter that suits long-distance missions in difficult weather, along with roles that require higher speed and payload.

The company reports there are no hiring targets that connect directly to the H175 certification, though the Fort Erie facility does employ more that 300 people.

Airbus supports a Canadian fleet of more than 830 helicopters across civil and military customers. The H175 has more than 300,000 flight hours globally and runs on Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67E engines.

The next step for the H175 in Canada remains the Transport Canada operational evaluation, which will set the framework for training and commercial operating standards before operators place the aircraft into service.

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