Eurocopter EC130
The Eurocopter EC130 is a single engine light helicopter developed from the AS350 Ecureuil airframe. Eurocopter have called the EC130 "the Alouette III successor".[1]
Design and development
The EC130 is a wide body variant of the AS350 B3, and was first flown on 24 June 1999. The EC130 features an enclosed tail fan rather than the traditional tail rotor found on the older AS350. This Fenestron has unevenly spaced blades which has the advantage of reducing outside noise by 50% compared to a tail rotor, resulting in an FAA Appendix H fly-over noise signature of 84.3 EPNdB, 8.5 dB below stage two limits. The EC130 was designed in close cooperation with tour operators with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters being the launch operator, and features a spacious cockpit with excellent external visibility, capable of accommodating seven tourists. The EC130 entered service with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in 2001, and is now a common sight in Hawaii and the Grand Canyon.
The EC130 is also quickly becoming popular within the air medical services (AMS) community, due to its large cabin (capable of accommodating one or two stretchers), wide side door and enclosed Fenestron anti-torque device.
Variants
- EC130 B4
- basic version.
Operators
Law Enforcement operators
- Argentina
- Misiones Province Police In April 2010 The Misiones Province Police acquired a Eurocopter EC130 B4
- Brazil
- Paraná State Military Police operates two EC130 B4 helicopters for law enforcement and air ambulance duties.
- United States
Civilian operators
- Australia
- The MAC Rescue Helicopter Service/MedSTAR operates an EC130 B4 for emergency situations. It is also made available to the South Australian Police who use the aircraft for both crime prevention and also in the pursuit of motor vehicles and suspects.
- One EC130 B4 operated by 12 Apostles Helicopters for joyflights
- Canada
- Capitale Hélicoptère - three three EC130 B4 based in Québec City Airport, QC
- Great Slave Helicopters - three EC130 B4 in service, based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
- Ontario Ministry Of Natural Resources - four EC130 B4
- Phoenix Heli-Flight Inc. - one EC130 B4
- Eagle Copters Ltd. - one EC130 B4
- Silverline Helicopters Inc. - one EC130 B4
- Aviation Fox Inc. - one EC130 B4
- Aviation Peak Inc. - one EC130 B4
- J. B. Air Inc. - one EC130 B4
- Finnair Ltd - one EC130 B4
- Helipsair - one EC130 B4 based in Mirabel Airport, QC
- Germany
- one EC130 B4 in service with Johann Lafer's Heli Gourmet service which combines helicopter travel with an outdoor eating experience.[2]
- Guatemala
- 3 helicopters are operated in Guatemala by private individuals.
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- One EC130 B4 in service with Over The Top, a helicopter tour company based in Queenstown.[3]
- One EC130 B4 operated by Heli Air Hawkes Bay for executive transport and tourism
- One EC130 B4 operated by Wanaka Helicopters
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Helibravo operates EC130 B4. [4]
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Six EC130 B4 helicopters in service with air medical services provider Air Methods.
- Nine EC130 B4 helicopters in service with tour operator Blue Hawaiian Helicopters.
- Three EC130 B4 helicopters in service with tour operator Grand Canyon Helicopters.
- Thirty four EC130 B4 helicopters in service with tour operator Maverick Helicopters based in Las Vegas.
- Three EC130 B4 helicopters in service with air medical services provider Medi Flight Oklahoma, based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
- Seven EC130 B4 in service with tour operator Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters.
- Two EC130 B4 in service with tour operator Sundance Helicopters, based in Las Vegas.
- Six EC130 B4 in service with tour operator Sunshine Helicopters in Hawaii.
- Two EC130 B4 in service with tour operator Stars and Stripes Air Tours Las Vegas, Nevada
- One EC130 B4 in service (Air Care 1) with the University of Iowa Clinics, Iowa City, Ia.
Specifications (EC130 B4)
Data from {Eurocopter EC130 B4 2008 tech data book}
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 (pilot in left seat)
- Capacity: 6 passengers (2 at front and four at back) can be modified to take 7 passengers (3 at front and four at back)
- Length: 10.68 m (35 ft)
- Rotor diameter: 10.69 m (35 ft 1in)
- Height: 3.34 m (10 ft 11 in)
- Empty weight: 1,377 kg (3,036 lbs)
- Useful load: 1,050 kg (2,315 lbs)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,427 kg (5,351 lbs)
- Powerplant: 1 × Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 turboshaft, 632 kW (847 shp)
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
References
External links
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