Sees An Industry Moving Towards Recovery
Eurocopter booked 68 new orders and agreements during Heli-Expo
2011, while also unveiling a range of new and enhanced
helicopter products, confirming the company’s highly
competitive position for the expected upturn in the world’s
rotary-wing aircraft sector.
New business concluded during this industry event in Orlando,
Florida involved eight of Eurocopter’s helicopter types,
including the next-generation EC145 T2 that was unveiled during
Heli-Expo, along with two members of its enhanced rotary-wing
aircraft line-up also announced at the show. These bookings came
from operators in the United States, Canada, Europe and Russia.
“There clearly was a more upbeat atmosphere at this
year’s Heli-Expo event, with strong indications of an
increase in our customers’ business activity for the second
half of 2011,” said Eurocopter President & CEO Lutz
Bertling. “We are seeing the result of our significant
investments in innovation and technology as customers recognize the
competitiveness of our product line.”
The new EC145 T2, which made its world debut at Heli-Expo 2011,
received a total of 17 launch commitments. Spain’s INAER
signed for 10, and three U.S. customers placed orders for seven:
Metro Aviation booked five; with Lewis Energy Group and Leading
Edge each signing for one EC145 T2. This upgraded version of
Eurocopter’s EC145 incorporates a specially-designed
Fenestron tail rotor, more powerful Arriel 2E turboshaft engines,
an innovative new avionics suite with three large primary displays,
a 4-axis autopilot and improved mission capabilities.
Eurocopter EC145T2
Two of Eurocopter’s new “e” enhanced
helicopters introduced at Heli-Expo 2011 received 18 total
orders/commitments. Ordering the enhanced AS350 B3e version were
Air Medical Resource Group of the U.S. with a firm agreement for
three helicopters, plus four options; Aero France
Hélicoptère, which ordered two; along with an
unnamed customer for one aircraft. The AS350 B3e – which was
included on Eurocopter’s Heli-Expo exhibit stand – is
the newest member of Eurocopter’s best-selling AStar/Ecureuil
family, with a more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine,
as well as a new-generation digital FADEC (Full Authority Digital
Engine Control) and an engine data recorder for condition
monitoring. Bond Air Services of the UK ordered eight EC135 T2e
enhanced versions of the twin-engine EC135 helicopter. As an
operator of Eurocopter helicopters since 1973, Bond Air Services
will utilize the eight new EC135 T2e rotary-wing aircraft to
provide capacity for the company’s future mission
requirements.
Another highlight of Heli-Expo 2011 was UTair Aviation of
Russia’s signature of a firm order for 15 of
Eurocopter’s new EC175 helicopters, firming up a letter of
intent announced at Heli-Expo in 2008. UTair will deploy its EC175s
in offshore oil and gas operations.
EC175 File Photo
Also booked at Heli-Expo were eight additional orders for the
Ecureuil/AStar family, composed of three AS350 B2s, two EC130s and
one AS350 B3 for Capitale Hélipro of Canada; an AS350 B3 for
V. Kelner Helicopters of Canada; and an agreement with an unnamed
customer for another AS350 B2.
Completing the Heli-Expo 2011 business transactions was an order
from Mexico’s Transportes Aéreos Pegaso for five
EC145s, with options for five more. Pegaso operates one of the
largest Eurocopter fleets in Latin America, and will use its
newly-ordered EC145s in transportation missions for the Mexican
government’s electricity company, CFE (Comisión
Federal de Electricidad).
Heli-Expo 2011 provided the opportunity as well for Eurocopter
to highlight its comprehensive training and services offer, which
included the latest customer announcement for the use of American
Eurocopter’s new AS350 Level B Full Flight Simulator in Grand
Prairie, Texas. This agreement is with the Texas Department of
Public Safety, and it underscores the full-motion simulator’s
capabilities for both pilot and mission training.