Hi albatross, thanks for the raised eyebrow.


The appeal of the 225 to offshore operators, according to multiple comments on this and related threads, has been its ability to carry full payload and full fuel both. That suggests good performance margins, which I thought should show benefit in high and hot conditions.


If that is all wet, please help me get it correct.

Fantastic until it hits 30deg Celsius and increasing then performance drops off markedly

If we are referring to performance margins, rather than available payloads, not sure I would use the word "fantastic", more like OK!

I thought the magic number was 27 deg C at sea level, then the cliff begins? Happy to be corrected though.

Just out of curiosity what’s the average height of an offshore platform landing area.

http://helihub.com/2016/08/09/kuwait-orders-30-airbus-h225m-caracal/

Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with the Kuwait Ministry of Defence for the purchase of 30 H225M Caracal multirole utility helicopters as well as an associated support and services package, during the visit of the French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Kuwait today.

“We are greatly honored that the Kuwait Ministry of Defence has chosen the H225M Caracal as the best platform to fulfill its demanding operational requirements” said Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Our relationship with Kuwait dates back more than 40 years with Super Pumas, Pumas and Gazelles having been delivered to the Armed Forces of the State of Kuwait over the past decades. This H225M Caracal contract opens a new chapter in our cooperation. I would like to personally thank the Kuwait Air Force which placed its trust in our products to renew its helicopter fleet, and I am also grateful for the confidence of the Kuwait National Guard which has decided to create its helicopter squadron with the support of Airbus Helicopters”, Guillaume Faury added.

During the visit, Airbus Helicopters representatives recognized the key role played by French Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian who provided his continued support to the realization of this project, in line with the existing France-Kuwait strategic relationship.

Kuwait’s fleet of H225M Caracal will be used for a wide variety of missions such as combat search-and-rescue, naval operations, medical evacuation and military transportation. The helicopters will be operated by the Kuwait Air Force and the Kuwait National Guard. A combat-proven platform with exceptional payload, a world-class automatic flight control system and long endurance, the H225M Caracal has demonstrated its versatility and performance even in the harshest operational environments.

Kuwait is the latest nation to join the community of Caracal users with 138 H225M Caracal having been ordered so far by France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Kuwait.

Are these helicopters going to be built in Brazil or France?

Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with the Kuwait Ministry of Defence for the purchase of 30 H225M Caracal multirole utility helicopters as well as an associated support and services package, during the visit of the French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Kuwait today.

Wow!

Don't they know they can buy slightly used EC225s for less than a new Hyundai Getz?

Is this part of I’m sorry for a French firm selling the imagery required last time you had visitors.Nice to know who your friends are.

T and S.....don't horn in on my get rich quick scheme please....i was going to buy all the MGB's and store them away just in case of such a deal came through.

If one buys them for Scrap Metal prices....and sells them for useable components to buyers of the same airframes they came from....Bob's yer Uncle!

Spot the common denominator-
 

"France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Kuwait."

Beside the obvious direct government support from France, brown paper envelopes filled with green springs to mind for the remainder of the customers…."follow the money";)

Is this observation related to the recent investigation in the UK of airbus and corruption/bribery (I think there's a thread on that in R&N).

I suspect it's a general observation based on experience of French companies, some of whom are absolutely comfortable with an envelope if that's what's needed.

Not exclusive to France of course....

I believe these marketing and commission outlays are tax deductible business expenses. Afaik, there is no equivalent of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices act in most of the EU.
This is why transparency in the bidding is probably the most effective way for countries to get the best deal. Of course, for many decision makers, that may be seen as the best deal for me personally. :(

I think corruption investigations are handled reasonably well in Europe

SFO arrests four Airbus employees in Saudi Arabia bribe probe - The FCPA Blog - The FCPA Blog

SFO arrests four Airbus employees in Saudi Arabia bribe probe - The FCPA Blog - The FCPA Blog

Hmmm, SFO involvement, in a case against Europe's flagship business.
Maybe an early example of Brexit in action.

Not much different than Croatia buying refurbished OH-58D's from the US Army.

Interestingly, a type that had its own rotor departure issues but continued, and continues, to fly

Yes: I remember that period well: https://www.federalregister.gov/arti...12-helicopters

How many Millions of flight hours on that fleet....anyone care to try to come up with that number? How many aircraft were in the fleet....include the UH-1 Series, 204 through the 214 when you do those calculations. Then tell us how many are still flying today?

Quite a lot, actually. Just to cheer you up an American contractor uses 330s to vertrep the US Navy.