The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has approved True Blue Power’s lithium-ion main-ship battery for the Airbus EC135 helicopter, enabling the battery to serve as the aircraft’s primary electrical power source. The certification brings a modern battery option to the EC135 platform, although details of the approved model, installation scope and commercial availability have not been disclosed.
True Blue Power, a division of Mid-Continent Instrument and Avionics, has previously secured FAA Technical Standard Order and EASA European Technical Standard Order certifications for lithium-ion main-ship batteries. The company also holds supplemental type-certificate approvals for lithium-ion battery installations on other aircraft, including helicopters.
The EC135 approval extends the certified use of lithium-ion technology in rotorcraft. However, the available information does not specify whether the approval covers the entire EC135 fleet, particular configurations or a defined retrofit package. It also does not establish expected performance, weight or maintenance benefits, or indicate when operators and maintenance organisations will be able to obtain the approved installation.