New Zealand NH90 becomes first airframe to pass 3,000 flight hours
A Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 has become the first helicopter of its type worldwide to reach 3,000 flight hours, according to Airbus. The milestone comes from a fleet of eight aircraft.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 has passed 3,000 flight hours, the first airframe of its type anywhere to do so, according to Airbus. The helicopter, tail number TNZA002, reached the mark on August 26, 2026, and belongs to No.3 Squadron, which operates eight of the helicopters from Base Ohakea.
The New Zealand fleet has flown more than 20,000 hours in total. Airbus manufactures the NHIndustries NH90.
Australia bought 46 of the same helicopter and dismantled its fleet for spare parts roughly a decade earlier than planned, according to the source. Both countries fly the same airframe, twin engines and fly-by-wire flight controls.
Sources
- simpleflying.comHow New Zealand's NH90 Helicopters Are Outflying Fleets 5 Times Their Size