Introduction to the Airbus H135 in AeroSimulations

The Airbus H135 is a light twin-engine helicopter renowned for its quiet operation, high safety margins, and mission flexibility. With over 1,400 units delivered worldwide, it serves roles ranging from emergency medical services and police surveillance to offshore transport and flight training. AeroSimulations has recreated this aircraft with exceptional fidelity, capturing the nuances of its Fenestron tail rotor, digital avionics, and fly-by-wire-inspired stability augmentation. For pilots preparing for real-world H135 operations or enthusiasts seeking an authentic rotorcraft experience, mastering this simulation lays a strong foundation for understanding advanced helicopter systems.

This guide expands on essential techniques, from cold-start procedures to emergency scenarios, ensuring you can extract the maximum training value from AeroSimulations. We will cover the aircraft’s core systems, pre-flight checks, handling characteristics, and advanced flight regimes. Whether you are a new sim pilot or an experienced helicopter flyer, the following sections will help you command the H135 with precision and confidence.

Key Features of the Airbus H135

The H135 stands out among light twins because of its robust design and advanced automation. Understanding these features is critical before you step into the virtual cockpit.

Airframe and Rotor System

The H135 uses a four-blade, fully articulated main rotor with composite blades. The blades are built for efficiency and low vibration, which translates into smooth handling in the simulator. The most distinctive feature is the Fenestron – a shrouded tail rotor that reduces noise and improves safety for ground personnel. In AeroSimulations, the Fenestron’s anti-torque response is accurately modeled, requiring careful pedal input during hover and low-speed maneuvers.

Avionics Suite

The glass cockpit is built around the Helionix® avionics system. Two large primary flight displays (PFDs) and a multi-function display (MFD) present flight instruments, navigation data, engine parameters, and system synoptics. AeroSimulations reproduces these screens with interactive controls, allowing you to switch pages, load flight plans, and check caution/warning messages. The integration of the automatic flight control system (AFCS) provides hold modes for altitude, heading, speed, and vertical speed.

Powerplant and FADEC

Two Turbomeca (now Safran) Arrius 2B2 or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B engines power the H135, depending on variant. Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) manages engine parameters automatically, simplifying power management. In the sim, you will notice that the collective does not directly control rotor RPM; instead, FADEC adjusts engine output to maintain a constant rotor speed. This reduces workload but demands a solid understanding of torque and temperature limits to avoid over-torquing the transmission.

Mission Flexibility

The H135 can be quickly reconfigured for different payloads. AeroSimulations includes options for external cargo hooks, electro-optical turrets, searchlights, floats (for overwater ops), and medical interior kits. Choose your role before each flight to experience realistic weight-and-balance changes.

Pre-Flight Checklist in AeroSimulations

A thorough pre-flight in the simulation sets the stage for a successful sortie. While the virtual world lacks the physical walk-around, you should still perform a systematic cockpit check and configure the aircraft for the mission environment.

Cold Start Procedure

  1. Battery and Avionics Master – Switch the battery to ON, then activate the avionics master. You should see the PFDs and MFD illuminate after a few seconds. Check for any warning flags (X’s) indicating sensor failures.
  2. APU Start – If the variant includes an auxiliary power unit (APU), start it to supply pneumatic power for main engine ignition. Watch the APU EGT gauge – it must stabilize within limits before proceeding.
  3. Engine Start – Select the starter for the left engine (No. 1) first. When N1 reaches 15–20%, open the fuel valve. Monitor the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) rise. At 58% N1, the starter cuts out. Repeat for the right engine once No. 1 is stable at idle.
  4. Systems Check – After both engines are running at idle (about 65% N1), verify all circuit breakers are in, confirm hydraulic pressure (3,000 psi), and run the generator check. Engage the backup hydraulic pump for a few seconds to test stand-by pressure.
  5. Flight Control Check – Cycle the cyclic, collective, and pedals through their full range while watching the flight control page. Ensure the force trim release button disengages the trim springs correctly.
  6. Avionics Setup – Load your flight plan into the MFD. Set altimeter, heading bug, and NAV radios. Program the AFCS for takeoff mode (attitude hold).

Many AeroSimulations users prefer to start with engines already running to skip the lengthy startup. However, training yourself on the cold-start routine reinforces system logic and helps you react to engine malfunctions later.

Controlling the H135 in AeroSimulations

The H135’s flight controls are responsive yet damping. The control laws in the simulator mimic the real helicopter’s stability characteristics, provided your hardware is properly calibrated.

Cyclic, Collective, and Anti‑Torque Pedals

Cyclic – The cyclic controls attitude. Small inputs have the greatest effect on the H135 because of its low inertia. Over-controlling is the most common mistake. Use smooth, deliberate movements and let the AFCS dampen excursions when engaged.

Collective – The collective changes blade pitch collective to increase or decrease rotor thrust. Because FADEC maintains rotor RPM, you directly control power demand through the collective lever. A twist-grip throttle is not used – FADEC handles fuel flow. Watch the torque gauge; each engine’s torque limit is 110% normal rated torque (NRT) for 30 seconds, with maximum continuous at 100%.

Pedals – The Fenestron is powerful, but it requires assertive pedal input in crosswinds and during autorotation. In the sim, especially at low indicated airspeed (below 30 knots), you must coordinate pedals with collective changes to keep the nose pointed straight.

Using the Force Trim System

The H135 has an electric trim system that provides a detent feel. Press the force trim release (FTR) button on the cyclic to reposition the reference for hands-off trimmed flight. In AeroSimulations, you can map the FTR button on your joystick or keyboard. Use it often: trim the cyclic to reduce stick forces in forward flight, then re-trim before entering a hover.

Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS)

The AFCS offers four-axis stabilization: cyclic pitch, cyclic roll, yaw, and collective. In the sim, you can engage holds for altitude, heading, airspeed, and vertical speed. For a new pilot, start with “attitude hold” (commanding a desired pitch and roll attitude) and later transition to “turn coordinator” mode for instrument approaches. Remember that the AFCS will not save you from heavy turbulence or mishandled emergencies – it only reduces steady‑state workload.

Basic Manoeuvres

Perfecting basic manoeuvres in the safe environment of AeroSimulations builds muscle memory that transfers to real flying.

Hovering

Hovering the H135 is easier than in many other helicopters due to its stability and tall landing gear. Still, the simulation demands precision. Find a flat visual reference – such as a helipad – and hold the helicopter motionless 10 ft above the deck. Use small cyclic inputs to control drift and small collective adjustments to maintain altitude. Wind at the tail or from the right can confuse the Fenestron; practice in calm conditions before adding weather.

Transitions (Hover to Forward Flight)

Lower the nose smoothly while applying slight right pedal to counteract the tail swinging left. As airspeed increases above effective translational lift (ETL, around 15–20 knots), you will feel a reduction in power demand. Keep the collective steady; do not pull up abruptly. Continue accelerating to your desired cruise speed (typically 120 knots for the H135). At cruise, the helicopter should be trimmed nose‑down about 4°.

Climbs and Descents

Climbs: Raise the collective to increase torque. Maintain cruise speed with the cyclic. The sim models the real helicopter’s maximum rate of climb at around 1,500 ft/min at sea level. Watch CHT (cylinder head temperature) and TIT (turbine inlet temperature) to avoid exceeding limits.

Descents: Lower the collective. Do not let the rotor overspeed; keep RPM in the green (95–105%). For steady descents, use the AFCS vertical speed hold. For steep descents (e.g., to achieve an offset approach), enter autorotation briefly.

Autorotation

A successful autorotation depends on maintaining rotor RPM. In the sim, use the collective to keep RPM at 97% during glide. At around 50 ft, begin a flare to reduce both forward speed and sink. At 15 ft, level the helicopter and pull collective to cushion the touchdown. Practice this maneuver repeatedly – AeroSimulations records your touchdown rate, so aim for below 200 ft/min.

Advanced Techniques

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations

The H135 is certified for single-pilot IFR. The Helionix system includes a synthetic vision system (SVS) that displays terrain and obstacles. In the sim, you can fly approaches like ILS, VOR, or GPS RNAV. Use the flight director bars on the PFD to follow the glideslope.

Set up the MFD with a moving map and weather radar (if available). Practice partial‑panel flying by disabling one PFD or the AHRS. This teaches you to identify failures and revert to standby instruments.

Wind and Turbulence Handling

AeroSimulations’ weather engine allows you to set gusty crosswinds. The H135’s canted tail rotor gives good yaw authority, but during hover in a left crosswind, you may run out of left pedal. In such conditions, use a “step‑down” or “hover‑turn” technique to realign into the wind. In forward flight, turbulence appears as moderate‑amplitude oscillations; engage the pitch hold and dampen the rest manually.

Night and Degraded Visual Environment (DVE)

Night flying with the H135’s night vision goggle (NVG) compatible cockpit is dramatic in the simulation. Turn the cockpit flood lighting down to preserve your dark adaptation. Use the searchlight to illuminate the landing zone. For DVE, such as brownout in desert landings, the sim can replicate blowing dust by adjusting visibility. In such conditions, rely on instruments and the doppler radar height indicator.

Emergency Procedures

Simulated emergencies allow you to refine your reaction sequence without real risk. Practice each until the steps become automatic.

Engine Failure (at Various Phases)

Hover or low‑speed failure: Immediately lower the collective to maintain rotor RPM. If below 100′ AGL, execute a running takeoff or level‑off autorotation; there is rarely time to select an engine. If above 100′, you can enter autorotation and perform the engine securing checklist.

Forward flight failure: A slight yaw toward the failed engine (the H135’s engines are coupled, but loss of one will cause a yaw). Identify the failed engine by examining the torque indicator; the digital MFD shows a red “X” across the bad engine parameters. Close the fuel valve, push the engine master to OFF, and proceed with single‑engine landing. The remaining engine has sufficient power for level flight up to about 5,000 ft density altitude.

Sustained engine failure in hoist operations: This is especially critical for EMS configurations. Immediately release the hoist load (simulated cargo drop). Then treat as above.

Tail Rotor / Fenestron Failure

Simulate this by rapidly reducing pedal authority or locking the pedals. The helicopter will yaw unpredictably. Reduce airspeed below 60 knots; the H135’s large vertical fin provides some directional stability. Use coordinated cyclic inputs to maintain direction (pedal-less turning is possible with collective/cyclic). Prepare for a landing with minimal forward speed, lowering the collective just before touchdown.

Hydraulic Failure

If the primary hydraulic system fails, the backup system activates automatically. In the sim, you can disable the backup pump to simulate degraded control forces. The cyclic becomes heavy and slow; you must use larger, slower inputs. Land as soon as practical, as the limited actuator speed makes precise hovering difficult.

Fires

Engine fire: Close the bleed valve, shut down the affected engine, and discharge the fire bottle (press the fire extinguisher button on the pedestal). The sim models a delayed fire extinguishing agent – if the temperature does not drop after a few seconds, prepare for a forced landing.

Electrical fire: Turn off the master avionics switch and battery. Use the emergency bus if available. The H135’s cockpit has a smoke‑handling checklist – familiarize yourself with the symbology on the MFD.

Mission Scenarios and Realism Extensions

AeroSimulations allows you to configure the H135 for several roles, each altering flight dynamics through payload and positioning.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The interior is fitted with a stretcher and medical equipment, shifting the center of gravity slightly aft. In the sim, a high‑payload configuration (medic + patient + equipment) increases weight to near Maximum Gross Weight (MGW = 2,950 kg / 6,503 lbs). Expect longer takeoff distances and lower climb rates. Practice landing on hospital rooftops – the steep approach requires precise collective management.

Police or Law Enforcement

An external electro‑optical turret (FLIR) and searchlight add drag and weight. The MFD displays the camera feed – you can control pan/tilt with keyboard or joystick buttons. Hovering with a heavy external load demands extra pedal input due to increased torque requirements.

Offshore / Passenger Transport

The H135 can carry up to seven passengers in the commercial cabin variant. With auxiliary fuel tanks, endurance extends beyond 3.5 hours. In the sim, plan your ferry route with adequate alternates. Use the cruise performance tables (available in the manual) to compute fuel burn accurately. The helicopter’s integrated navigation system can follow a programmed route – this is excellent practice for IFR procedures.

Customizing Your AeroSimulations H135 Experience

To maximize realism, invest time in setting up your hardware and software.

Control Configuration

Assign the collective to a left‑hand lever or a slider with linear response. The cyclic should be on a spring‑centered joystick. Reduce the sensitivity curve to about 20–30% near center for fine hover maneuvers. Set yaw sensitivity higher for Fenestron reactions. Disable the “auto‑rudder” feature – pedals are essential.

Visual and Audio Settings

Enable the high‑resolution cockpit textures to read the MFD letters clearly. Adjust the internal view so your eye position matches the real pilot seat (about eye height 1.2 m above the floor). The sound environment – rotor beat, engine spool, and warning tones – can be toggled; keep it on for situational awareness. AeroSimulations also provides a virtual reality option; using VR dramatically improves depth perception during hovering and autorotations.

Add‑ons and Liveries

A wide community has created liveries for real‑world operators: ADAC, DRF Luftrettung, Japan Coast Guard, and many others. 3D models of external pods, hoists, and floats are available. Some add‑ons modify the aircraft performance model (e.g., high‑altitude kit). Always verify compatibility with your simulation version.

Additional Resources and References

Conclusion

Flying the Airbus H135 in AeroSimulations offers a balancing act between the challenge of helicopter flight and the rewards of mastering a sophisticated machine. By drilling the pre-flight checks, practicing basic and advanced maneuvers, and running emergency scenarios, you build a mental framework that enhances both virtual and real‑world flying. The H135’s advanced avionics and Fenestron design demand discipline, but the simulation environment lets you commit lessons to muscle memory without risk. Treat each session as a training flight: set clear objectives, debrief your performance, and progressively increase difficulty. With consistent practice, you will find the H135 in AeroSimulations to be one of the most rewarding virtual rotorcraft experiences available.