Eurocopter AS350
The Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil (Squirrel) is a single-engined light helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale (now part of Eurocopter Group). The AS350 is marketed in North America as the AStar. The AS355 Ecureuil 2 (marketed in North America as the TwinStar.) is a twin-engined variant, while the Eurocopter EC130 is a derivative of the AS350 airframe.
Design and development
Development began in the early 1970s to replace the Alouette II, and the first flight took place on 27 June 1974.[1] Despite the introduction of the EC130, production of the Eurocopter AS350 remains strong.
The Helicópteros do Brasil (Helibras) subsidiary of Eurocopter signed a contract for a major upgrade program on the Brazilian Army’s fleet of 36 AS350 Ecureuils.[2]
Operational history
On May 14, 2005 an AS350 B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle (fr:Didier Delsalle) touched down on the top of Mt. Everest, at 8,850 metres (29,035 feet).[3] This record has been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.[4]
On April 29, 2010 a stripped-down AS350 B3 succeeded in rescuing three alpinists from Annapurna, Nepal at 7,100 m (23,2939 feet), one at a time, the highest such rescue.
Variants
- AS350
- Prototype.
- AS350 Firefighter
- Fire fighting version.
- AS350B
- Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine.
- AS350 B1
- Improved version of the original AS350B, which is powered by one Arriel 1D engine, type also fitted with AS355 main rotor blades, AS355 tail rotor with tabs and a tail rotor servo.
- AS350 B2
- Higher gross weight version powered by one Arriel 1D1 engine over the B1 version with aerodynamic strake fitted to tail boom along the starboard side and angled engine exhaust duct for better yaw control.
- AS350 B3
- High-performance version, is powered by a Arriel 2B engine equipped with a single channel (DECU) Digital Engine Control Unit with a mechanical backup system. This helicopter is the first ever to land on Mount Everest. Recently introduced AS350 B3/2B1 variant introduces enhanced engine with dual channel (FADEC) Full Authority Digital Engine Control, dual hydraulics and a 2,370 kg (5,225 lb) Maximum Take Off Weight.
- AS350 BA
- Powered by a Arriel 1B engine and fitted with wider chord AS355 main rotor blades and tail rotor servo.
- AS350 BB
- AS350 B2 variant selected to meet rotary-wing training needs of UK MoD, through its Defence Helicopter Flying School in 1996. Powered by a derated Arriel 1D1 engine to improve the helicopters' life cycle.
-
- Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1
- Designation of AS350BB in operation with British RAF as a training helicopter.
- Eurocopter Squirrel HT.2
- Designation of AS350BB in operation with British Army Air Corps as a training helicopter.
- AS350 C
- Initial variant of Lycoming LTS-101-600A2 powered version developed for the North American market as the AStar. Quickly superseded by AS350D.
- AS350 D
- Powered by one Lycoming LTS-101 engine for the North American market as the AStar. At one stage marketed as AStar 'Mark III.'
- AS350 L1
- Military derivative of AS350 B1, powered by a 510kW (684shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D turboshaft engine. Superseded by AS350 L2.
- AS350 L2
- Military derivative of AS350 B2, powered by a 546kW (732shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine. Designation superseded by AS550 C2.
- HB350 B Esquilo
- Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Air Force. Brazilian designations CH-50 and TH-50. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
- HB350 B1 Esquilo
- Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Navy. Brazilian designation UH-12. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
- HB350 L1
- Armed military version for the Brazilian Army. Brazilian designation HA-1. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
Aftermarket conversions
- Soloy Super D
- AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
- Soloy Super D2
- AS350 B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.
- Heli-Lynx 350FX1
- AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
- Heli-Lynx 350FX2
- AS350 BA or AS350 B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.
- Otech AS350BA+
- AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.[5]
Operators
Civilian operators
The AS350 has been popular with many air charter companies and other small operators. Major fleet operators have included:
Sri Lanka
- Senok Aviation - operates 2 AS350 for domestic operations.
- Australia
- Canada
- Finland
- Greenland
- Italy
- Fireman Helicopters Group, Autonomous Province of Trento[10] utilizes two AS350 B3 for mountain rescue, fire service, transport service and various civil defence activities.
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Portugal
- Helibravo operates AS350 B2 and B3.[11]
- EMA operates 3 AS350B3[12]
- Heliportugal operates both AS350 B2 and B3[13][14]
- United States
- Flight for Life Colorado Emergency medical transport based near Denver, Colorado operates five leased AS350 B3s.
- Heli USA Airways, Inc. A Las Vegas based helicopter tour operator using a fleet of 11 AS350's[15]
- Temsco HelicoptersTEMSCO (an acronym from the words: Tours (Timber), Exploration, Mining, Survery, Cargo Operations)serving several communities in Alaska providing tours, medical transport, and commercial services on a variety of AS350's.[16]
- WCVB-TV Boston operates a AS350B dubbed Sky 5.
Law Enforcement operators
The AS350 has been popular with many law enforcement operators. Major fleet operators have included:
- Angola
- Angolan National Police Force operates 15 AS350B2 and B3s.[17]
- Australia
- Austria
- Belarus
- The State Border Committee of Belarus operates 3 AS350 NP helicopters
- Brazil
- Canada
- France
- Ireland
- Mexico
- Philippines
- South Africa
- United States
Military operators
- Argentina
- Albania
- Australia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Bolivia
- Central African Republic
- Chile
- Ecuador
- Gabon
- Malawi
- Paraguay
- United Kingdom
Notable achievements and accidents
- On 14 May 2005, a Ecureuil AS350B3 piloted by Didier Delsalle landed at about 8,848 meters on the top of the Mount Everest. As required by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the aircraft remained on the summit longer than 2 minutes before returning to Lukla. He actually landed on the summit two times.[23] He only needed to land for two minutes to officially set the record, but he stayed for about four minutes twice.[23] The flight set rotorcraft world records, for highest of both landing and take-off.[24] Delsalle also rescued two Japanese climbers at 16,000 feet (4,877 meters), and one climber noted that the Eurocopter flight meant a better chance of rescue.[23]
- On 27 July 2007, two AS350s collided in mid-air while reporting a police pursuit. The two helicopters were part of KNXV-TV and KTVK television stations in Phoenix, Arizona. Four crew members were killed by this accident.[25]
- On 15 September 2007, former World Rally Championship driver Colin McRae and three passengers were killed when his AS350 B2 Squirrel,[26] which he was piloting, crashed near Lanark, Scotland.[27][28]
- On 16 November 2007, Inclement weather caused a BHP Billiton AS350-B2 helicopter,[29] to crash in Angola, killing the helicopter's five passengers.[30]
- On 8 August 2009, a Piper PA-32R collided with an AS350 over the Hudson River, with both aircraft crashing into the Hudson River. There were no survivors from the crash.
- On 7 December 2011, An AS350 Tail Number N37SH collided with a mountain near Lake Mead, Las Vegas during a Tour of the Hoover Dam, killing 4 passengers and a pilot.[31]
Specifications (AS350 B3)
Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000[32]
General characteristics
Performance
Avionics
Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) with First Limit Indicator (FLI) fitted as standard.
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
References
- ^ http://62.160.110.229/jrotor/73/latinamerica.html#I0000f69b
- ^ AS350'lere elixir of youth – SavunmaSanayi.Net
- ^ http://www.everestnews.com/stories2005/everestcopter05272005.htm
- ^ Rotorcraft World Records
- ^ Reyno, Mike, "Power Play", Vertical December 2006
- ^ {{cite web|url=http://www.helicopters.com.au/sub/capa_fire.html|title=Servicing Fire Fighting|publisher=Helicopters (Australia) pty ltd|accessdate=2009-04-14}}
- ^ "Blackcomb Aviation - Helicopters". Blackcomb Aviation. http://www.blackcombhelicopters.com/equipment/astar_350_DGA.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- ^ blairwalker1 (undated). "Geophysical Survey Aircraft - Eurocopter AS 350 B3". http://geotech.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=124. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ^ Air Greenland AS350 page
- ^ Fireman Helicopters Group Trento webpage
- ^ http://www.helibravo.com/fleet
- ^ http://www.ema-sa.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31:eurocopter-as-350b3-ecureuil&catid=6:frota&Itemid=23
- ^ http://www.heliportugal.pt/#/pt/frota/ptas350b2
- ^ http://www.heliportugal.pt/#/pt/frota/ptas350b3
- ^ [ www.heliusa.com]
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Final AS350 Delivered to Angolan Police". Air International. August 2011, p. 34.
- ^ Flugpolizei Website (German!)
- ^ LAPD Standardizes AS350B2s With Sagem Cockpit
- ^ http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?100975-African-Military-Aviation-Post-your-images-here!/page32&s=0f0e705cd0fe84143ed88bc7cfb93aac
- ^ Eurocopter Press Release – FB Heliservices Ltd. Clocks Up 250,000 Flight Hours With Eurocopter AS350 BB ‘Squirrel’ Fleet As Defence Helicopter Flying School Celebrates 10th Anniversary
- ^ http://www.fbheliservices.com/FBH/Middle%20Wallop.htm
- ^ a b c "Landing on Air". National Geographic Adventure. 2005-09-01. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0509/whats_new/helicopter_everest.html. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ Federation Aeronautique Internationale records page. (Search for "Everest" on that page).
- ^ http://www.abc15.com/content/aboutus/bios/story.aspx?content_id=cbbf03e0-247b-4b74-be7a-8c199c50d80d
- ^ Civil Aviation Authority
- ^ "Colin McRae feared dead in helicopter crash - police". Yahoo! News/AFP. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20070915/tuk-auto-rally-gbr-mcrae-b5b5cc4_1.html. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
- ^ Rose, Gareth; Watson, Jeremy (16 September 2007). "Rally ace Colin McRae dies in helicopter crash". Edinburgh: The Scotsman. http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment.cfm?id=1483222007. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ Munoz, Rob; Velez, Michelle; Moyer, Phillip (16 September 2007). "Five killed in tour helicopter crash near Lake Mead". Las Vegas: MyNews3. http://www.mynews3.com/s/0L5n8V0Kw0esQuglbbyF9w.cspx. Retrieved 2011-12-08.
- ^ Taylor 1999, p.377.
- ^ Fuselage length
- Taylor, Michael J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London:Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1 85753 245 7.
External links
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