Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma
The Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma Mk II+ is a long-range passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter as the next generation in the civilian Super Puma family. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 24 passengers along with 2 crew and a cabin attendant, dependent on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for offshore support and VIP passenger transport duties, as well as public service missions.
Development
The EC225 development was announced by Eurocopter in June 1998, with the first prototype performing its maiden flight on 27 November 2000. It received safety certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency in July 2004.
Design
The EC225 is based on the Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma, improving upon the design with a five-blade main rotor incorporating a new airfoil shape to reduce vibration levels. The helicopter is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines mounted over the cabin, which feature a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system and anti-icing system to enable it to operate in very cold climates. Other improvements include a reinforced main rotor gearbox and a full glass cockpit with Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays.
There are currently 4 configurations designed by Eurocopter for the EC225. The passenger transport version has seating arrangements for 19 passengers with a high-density seating arrangement accommodating up to 24 passengers. The VIP transport version has a large VIP lounge with seating for 8 passengers and a cabin attendant. The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) configuration has medical units for 6 stretchers and 4 seats for medical workers. Finally, the SAR configuration allows for Search & Rescue equipment with an operator seat, hoistman seat and up to 8 rescue seats and 3 stretchers.
Operational history
Algeria became the first country to use the EC225 when the Algerian Ministerial Air Liaisons Group (GLAM) received one in December 2004 for VIP transport duties.
Variants
- EC225 LP
- An improved variant of the AS332 L2.
- EC225 Firefighting/SAR
- EC225 with water bombing kits, FLIR, and all-weather radar for search, rescue, and firefighting operations.[2]
Operators
- Algeria
- Algeria's Ministerial Air Liaisons Group operates 2 aircraft for VIP transport duties serving the Presidency of the Algerian Republic.[3]
- Canada
- CHC Helicopter Corporation ordered 22 aircraft in 2007 to support the offshore oil & gas industry in the North Sea, with possibilities for search and rescue duties. They are expected to be delivered between 2008 and 2012.[4] Ordered further 20 in 2011
- France
- Japan
- Mexico
- The air charter operator Aeropersonal use 3 EC-225 in special VIP charters
- Norway
- CHC Norway operates 8 EC225s for oil & gas support as transports and stationed offshore in the All Weather SAR (AWSAR) role.
- Bristow Norway operates 2 EC225s for transport and SAR.
- People's Republic of China
- Republic of China (Taiwan)
- The ROCAF confirmed the order for 3 EC225s on 3 February 2010 with an option for 17 more, the initial batch of 3 EC225s was completed in June 2011 and delivery is expected to take place late in the year.[12]
- South Korea
- At least one firefighting and SAR variant of EC225 is serving with the National 119 Rescue Service.[2]
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
- Southern Flight Service Company bought one aircraft to use for offshore rescue efforts and VIP flights. It has also ordered one more.[16]
- Vietnam People's Navy, 2 EC225S.
- Greenland
Competitions
- Norway
- United Kingdom
- The EC225 was also competing with Sikorsky S-92 to become the future UK Search and Rescue - Helicopter (SAR-H Programme)[19]
Accidents and Incidents
- 18 February 2009. G-REDU a EC225LP from Bond Offshore Helicopters containing 16 passengers and 2 crew, ditched into the North sea 120 miles east of Aberdeen. All 18 aboard were rescued. Controlled flight into terrain is believed to be the reason for the crash.[20] See April 2009 North Sea helicopter crash for a nearby incident with the same aircraft family and operator six weeks later.
Specifications (EC 225)
Data from {Eurocopter.com}[21]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2 (pilot + co-pilot)
- Capacity: 19 passengers + 1 cabin attendant
- Length: 19.50 m (63.98 ft)
- Rotor diameter: 16.20 m (53.14 ft)
- Height: 4.97 m (16.30 ft)
- Empty weight: 5,256 kg (11,587 lb)
- Loaded weight: 11,000 kg (24,251 lb)
- Useful load: 5,744 kg (12,663 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 11,200 kg (24,690 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Makila 2A1 turboshafts, 1,776 kW (2,382 shp) each
Performance
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
References
- ^ Eurocopter delivers the 100th EC225 to Bristow Group, 07-12-2011
- ^ a b - EC225 firefighting variant
- ^ EADS N.V. - Delivery Of The First EC 225 To The Ministerial Air Liaisons Group Of The Republic Of Algeria
- ^ Eurocopter Press Release - Eurocopter & CHC Helicopter Corporation Sign Contract For 16 EC225 Helicopters At Heli-Expo
- ^ Grolleau, Henri-Pierre. "Hello EC225, Goodbye Super Frelon". Air International, June 2010. Stanford, UK:Key Publishing. ISSN 0306-5634. p.12.
- ^ EADS Press Release - Japan Defense Agency Received First EC225 In VIP Configuration For The Japanese Emperor’s Royal Flight Service
- ^ EADS Press Release Eurocopter Succeeds With EC 225 In Open Japanese Competition
- ^ EC 225 Is Ordered For The First Time In China By The Ministry Of Communications To Fulfil Search And Rescue Missions
- ^ "Final Chinese SAR EC225 Delivery" Air Forces Monthly (Key Publishing), Issue 283, October 2011, pp. 30. ISSN 09557091. Retrieved: 10 October 2011.
- ^ Eurocopter Press Release - Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. Ltd. (COHC) & Eurocopter Announce The Signing Of A Contract For The Supply Of Two EC225 Helicopters At The Farnborough International Airshow
- ^ (Chinese)"广东公安将拥有全球"最牛"直升机". Information Times. 2009-05-18. http://informationtimes.dayoo.com/html/2009-05/18/content_571697.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ "All Three Taiwanese Air Force E225s Now Completed" Air Forces Monthly (Key Publishing), Issue 283, October 2011, pp. 31. ISSN 09557091. Retrieved: 10 October 2011.
- ^ http://www.policia.es/org_central/medios_aereos/historia.html
- ^ Fomento adjudica a Eurocopter el súper Helimer .
- ^ Eurocopter Press Release - Bristow Group Inc. Signs Three Orders & Eight Options For Eurocopter EC225 At Heli-Expo 2007
- ^ http://vnexpress.net/GL/Kinh-doanh/2009/08/3BA124D7/
- ^ "The NAWSARH Project". Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/jd/kampanjer/helicopters/about-the-project.html. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ Per Erlien Dalløkken (2009-05-07). "De fem kandidatene" (in Norwegian). Teknisk Ukeblad. http://www.tu.no/motor/article208828.ece. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ "SAR-H bidders announce helicopter types". Shephard Group. 2009-03-11. http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/2072/sar-h-bidders-announce-helicopter-types/. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ "Bond Helicopters Super Puma Flight Global (commentary)
- ^ "Eurocopter EC 225 Technical Data" (PDF). http://www.eurocopter.com/site/docs_wsw/fichiers_communs/docs/TD_EC225%20.pdf. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
External links
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