Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma
| EC225 Super Puma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A Bristow Helicopters EC225LP at Aberdeen Airport | |
| Role | Passenger Transport Helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters |
| First flight | 27 November 2000 |
| Introduction | December 2004 |
| Primary user | CHC Helicopter[1] |
| Number built | 100 (as of 2011)[2] |
| Developed from | Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma |
| Variants | Eurocopter EC725 |
The Airbus Helicopters EC225 LP is a long-range passenger transport helicopter developed by Airbus Helicopters 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
After the 1973 oil crisis, oil & gas companies began exploration further offshore, creating a need for aircraft such as the EC225 with sufficient capability.[3]
The EC225 development was announced by Airbus Helicopters then 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 Airbus Helicopters 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.
The EC225 is a candidate for the Norwegian All Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) that is planned to replace the Westland Sea King Mk.43B of the Royal Norwegian Air Force in 2015.[4] The other candidates for the NAWSARH contract of 10-12 helicopters were AgustaWestland AW101, Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, NHIndustries NH90 and Sikorsky S-92;[5] the V-22 was eliminated from the competition in 2012.[6] On July 9, 2013, the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police announced that it had eliminated the Sikorsky S-92 and the NHI NH-90 from the competition, leaving the AgustaWestland AW101 and the Eurocopter EC225/725 Super Puma. It is, however, confirmed in December 2013 that the EC225 was not awarded the contract.[7] [8]
The EC225 was also competing with Sikorsky S-92 to become the future UK Search and Rescue — Helicopter (SAR-H Programme)[9]
Due to its popularity in offshore passenger transport, the EC225 is also commonly used as an offshore Search and Rescue Aircraft in Norway, the UK and Australia. Aircraft are equipped with a Dual Rescue Hoist, FLIR camera, high-powered searchlights and advanced autopilot with autohover capability.[10]
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.[11]
- EC225e
- A version with the newer Turbomeca Makila 2B turboshaft engine.[12]
Operators
- Prefectura Naval Argentina[14]
- Ministry of Transport[16]
- Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. [17]
- Guangdong Public Security Bureau[18]
- Air Greenland (2 on order)[20]
Notable accidents and incidents
- 18 February 2009. G-REDU, an EC225 LP operated by Bond Offshore Helicopters. During a night visual approach to the ETAP platform, the helicopter descended and impacted the surface of the sea. The crew’s perception of the position and orientation of the helicopter relative to the platform during the final approach was erroneous. All 18 people onboard survived the controlled flight into terrain (water).[30]
- 10 May 2012 The crew of the helicopter G-REDW an EC225 LP carried out a controlled ditching following indications of a failure of the main gearbox (MGB) lubrication system and, subsequently, a warning indicating failure of the emergency lubrication system. Subsequent investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has identified a 360° circumferential crack in the bevel gear vertical shaft in the main gearbox, in the vicinity of a manufacturing weld, causing disengagement of the drive to both mechanical oil pumps.
- 22 October 2012. G-CHCN an EC225 LP of CHC Scotia ditched in the north sea 32 miles south west of Shetland whilst en route from Aberdeen to the West Phoenix drilling rig. All 19 on board were rescued. A special bulletin issued by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the main and standby oil pumps were not working. The AAIB bulletin said a 360 degree crack was found on the bevel gear vertical shaft of the helicopter. This crack prevented the oil pump gears from being driven.
Following the 22 October crash, which initial investigation indicated was the result of a gearbox failure, the major North Sea Super Puma operators, CHC Helicopter, Bond Offshore Helicopters and Bristow Helicopters decided to ground all AS 332 and EC225 Super Puma helicopters.
In both incidents although the main gearbox lubrication system had failed, the backup system was working correctly but displaying an erroneous warning light which lead to the pilots ditching their helicopters. This was due to an incorrect specification of a pressure switch.[31]
On 25 October 2012 it was announced that the problem was suspected to relate to the main gearbox vertical shaft. The AS 332 L1 and L2 versions of the Super Puma can be refitted with an older design, allowing them to resume flying. On 8 November 2012 some Super Pumas of Bond Offshore Helicopters began to fly again.[32][33][34]
Specifications (EC 225)
Data from {Eurocopter.com}[35]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (commander + co-pilot)
- Capacity: 24 passengers + 1 cabin attendant
- Length: 19.5 m (64 ft 0 in)
- Height: 4.97 m (16 ft 4 in)
- Empty weight: 5,256 kg (11,587 lb)
- Gross weight: 11,000 kg (24,251 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 11,200 kg (24,692 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines, 1,776 kW (2,382 hp) each
- Main rotor diameter: 16.2 m (53 ft 2 in)
- Main rotor area: 206.15 m2 (2,219.0 sq ft)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 275.5 km/h (171 mph; 149 kn)
- Cruising speed: 260.5 km/h (162 mph; 141 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 324 km/h (201 mph; 175 kn)
- Range: 857 km (533 mi; 463 nmi)
- Ferry range: 985 km (612 mi; 532 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 5,900 m (19,357 ft)
- Rate of climb: 8.7 m/s (1,710 ft/min)
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
- List of helicopters
References
- ↑ CHC Helicopter (2010). "CHC Fleet". Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ↑ Eurocopter delivers the 100th EC225 to Bristow Group, 07-12-2011
- ↑ Kay, Marcia Hillary. "40 Years Retrospective: It's Been a Wild Ride" Rotor & Wing, August 2007. Accessed: 8 June 2014. Archived on 8 June 2014.
- ↑ "The NAWSARH Project". Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ↑ Per Erlien Dalløkken (2009-05-07). "De fem kandidatene". Teknisk Ukeblad (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ↑ "Candidates that have passed the Pre-qualification process for delivery of future SAR helicopters for Iceland and Norway". Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ↑ http://www.tu.no/industri/2013/07/09/to-av-de-mulige-sea-king-erstatterne-er-vraket
- ↑ https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/samfunnssikkerhet-og-beredskap/innsikt/nawsarh/id2340017/
- ↑ "SAR-H bidders announce helicopter types". Shephard Group. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ↑ "Shell launches landmark search and rescue service in Broome". Shell.
- ↑ - EC225 firefighting variant
- ↑ "Airbus Helicopters Presses Ahead With New Models". ainonline.com. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ↑ "DELIVERY OF THE FIRST EC 225 TO THE MINISTERIAL AIR LIAISONS GROUP OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA". eurocopter.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "La Prefectura Naval Argentina adquiere el primer helicóptero EC225 Súper Puma". http://www.infodefensa.com.
- ↑ "CHC Helicopter fleet". chc.ca. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Eurocopter delivers fourth EC225 to China for offshore SAR". helihub.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Eurocopter and COHC sign a Contract for the Supply of long range EC225 Helicopters". eurocopter.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Guangdong Public Security Bureau will have the world "most advanced" helicopter". informationtimes.dayoo. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 "World Air Forces 2013" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Air Greenland orders two EC225 helicopters for use in all-weather missions". eurocopter.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Japan Defense Agency received first EC225 in VIP configuration for the Japanese Emperor’s Royal Flight Service.". eurocopter.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Eurocopter succeeds with EC 225 in open Japanese competition". eurocopter.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Tokyo Fire Department orders second EC225". helihub.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "MHS Aviation fleet". mhsaviation.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Oman's Royal EC-225LP". smallairforces.com. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
- ↑ "Medios Aéreos / Historia". policia.es. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Fomento adjudica a Eurocopter el súper Helimer". elcorreogallego.es. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Bond Aviation Group fleet". bondaviationgroup.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Bristow Helicopters fleet". bristowgroup.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ↑ "Report on the accident to Eurocopter EC225 LP Super Puma, G-REDU...". AAIB.
- ↑ "Incorrect specification caused EC225 emergency lube fault". Flightglobal.
- ↑ Perry, Dominic (25 October 2012). "Gearbox component failure to blame for latest EC225 ditching". Flightglobal. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- ↑ Learmont, David (26 October 2012). "Operators return some Super Pumas to work as EASA widens safety ruling". Flightglobal. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- ↑ Step change (2012-10-27). "Q&A Fact Sheet on latest ditching incident". Retrieved 2012-10-27.
- ↑ "Eurocopter EC 225 Technical Data" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-07-12.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eurocopter EC 225. |
- Eurocopter EC 225 Technical Data Manual
- Aerospace Technology - Eurocopter EC 225
- Deagel.com - EC225 / EC 225 Super Puma
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