Brazilian Army Upgraded Fennec Reaches 1000 Flight Hours

Helibras, December 09, 2015 - The six H125M / AS550 Fennec helicopters modernized and delivered by Helibras to the Brazilian Army Aviation have completed 1000 flight hours.

In the coming weeks, the Aviação do Exército (AvEx) will receive four additional units totaling 10 aircraft modernized by the end of 2015.

With these aircraft by January 2016 the Centro de Instrução da Aviação do Exército (CIAvEx, Army Aviation Training Centre) will graduate the first pilots with the upgraded Fennecs familiarizing the crew with new technologies and systems particularly the new digital avionics system and autopilot.

Four other Squirrel/Fennec helicopters are already at Helibras and pass through the C inspection and modernization process. These aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2016 second quarter.

The retrofit guarantees 25 more years to the helicopter, which is used in training, reconnaissance, attack and security, by adding new technology and increasing availability.

The first modernized Fennec was delivered by Helibras in 2014. The last of 36 in contract is scheduled for delivery in 2019.