Eurocopter EC 135
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| EC 135 | |
|---|---|
 Eurocopter EC 135 P2 of the German Police |
|
| Type | Light utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Eurocopter |
| Maiden flight | 15 February 1994 |
| Unit cost | ~US$6.4M (2007) |
| Developed from | Bölkow Bo 105 |
| Variants | Eurocopter EC 635 |
The EC 135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services, and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules (IFR).
Contents |
[edit] Development
The EC 135 can trace its history back to before the formation of Eurocopter. It was started as the Bo 108 by MBB of Germany in the mid-eighties. A technology demonstrator flew for the first time on 15 October 1988, powered by two Allison 250-C20R engines. A second Bo 108 followed on 5th June 1991, this time with two Turboméca TM319-1b Arrius engines. Both these machines had a conventional tail rotor.
In late 1992, the design was revised with the introduction of the Fenestron tail rotor system. In contrast to other helicopters, the tail rotor blades have been integrated into the tailboom and as they are framed by the tailboom, the risk of an accident has been significantly reduced, especially during the difficult flight conditions encountered during aeromedical flight service. This revolutionary tail rotor system, combined with the fuselage's dimensions, means that the EC-135 aircraft has become hugely popular with aeromedical helicopter operators.
Two pre-production prototypes were built. They flew on 15 February and 16 April 1994, testing the Arrius 2B and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B engines. A third helicopter followed on 28 November 1994.
[edit] Operational history
The EC 135 made its US debut at the Heli Expo in January 1995 at Las Vegas. After over 1600 flight hours, European JAA certification was achieved on 16. June 1996, with FAA approval following on 31. July. Deliveries started on 1st August, when two helicopters (0005 and 0006) were handed over to Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht. The 100th EC 135 was handed over to the Bavarian police force in June 1999. By that time the worldwide fleet had clocked up around 30000 flight hours.
Single pilot IFR certification was granted by the German LBA on December 2, 1999. Deliveries to the German Aviators Corps began on 13 September 2000 at the German Army Aviators School at (Bückeburg Air Base) near Achum. The EC 135 received single-pilot IFR certification from the UK CAA in December 2000.
In the autumn of 2000, Eurocopter announced the start of certification work for the Pratt & Whitney PW206B2, a version of the PW207 which offers improved single-engine performance and 30 second emergency power. The LBA certification was achieved with some delay on 10 July 2001, and the first EC 135 with the new engines was handed over to the Swedish National Police on 10 August 2001.
The current world fleet leader in aircraft hours for this type is G-NESV (s/n 0067). This aircraft was delivered to the North East Air Support Unit in April 1999 and on 29th March 2007 it clocked up its 9000th hour.
[edit] Variants
- EC 135 P1
- powered by two Pratt and Whitney Canada PW 206B. Later versions have the Center Panel Display System (CPDS).
- EC 135 T1
- powered by two Turbomeca Arrius 2B1/2B1A/2B1A1. Later versions have the Center Panel Display System (CPDS).
- EC 135 P2
- powered by two, 463 kW (621 shp) Pratt and Whitney Canada PW 206B2.
- EC 135 T2
- powered by two, 472 kW (633 shp) Turbomeca Arrius 2B2.
- EC 135 P2+
- latest production version with the PW 206B2 engine, it has an increased maximum certified take-off weight (MCTOW) along with new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade, component time between overhaul (TBO) changes, and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil.[1]
- EC 135 T2+
- latest production version with the Arrius 2B2 engines, it has a MCTOW Upgrade along with new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade, component TBO changes, and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil.
- EC 635
- military variant operated by Jordan.
[edit] Operators
Main article: List of Eurocopter EC 135 operators
[edit] Incidents
An Air Methods Corporation EC 135 crashed on 10th January 2005 after delivering a patient in Washington, D.C., killing the pilot and a paramedic whilst seriously injuring a nurse. The wreckage of the helicopter was recovered from the Potomac River.[1] An All Nippon Helicopter(ANH) EC135T2 crashed on 9th December 2007. The pilot was dead and the mechanic had serious injury. The investigation is under going.
A second Air Methods Corporation EC 135 crashed May 10th, 2008 near La Crosse, Wisconsin. The pilot along with a doctor and nurse were killed in the crash.
[edit] Specifications (EC 135)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Capacity: up to seven passengers or two crew and two patients (Air Ambulance variant)
- Length: 12.16 m (39 ft 11 in)
- Rotor diameter: 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
- Height: 3.62 m (11 ft 11 in)
- Disc area: 81.7 m² (880 ft²)
- Empty weight: 1,465 kg (3,230 lb)
- Loaded weight: 2,835 kg (lb)
- Useful load: 920 kg (2030 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,835 kg (5,997 lb)
- Powerplant: 2× Turbomeca Arrius 2B or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B turboshafts, 435 kW (583 shp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 259 km/h (162 mph)
- Range: 595 km (372 mi)
- Rate of climb: 7.62 m/s (1,500 ft/min)
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/publications/bulletins/september_2003/corrigendum_023918.cfm
[edit] External links
- Eurocopter - EC 135
- RTH.info - Eurocopter EC 135 (in German)
|
|||||
|
||||||||||||||
