Complete Eurocopter Line Now Approved For US Ops
HAI's Heli-Expo 2008 kicks off Sunday in Houston, TX... but that
doesn't mean companies are waiting for the weekend to announce
their big news. And not many helicopters are much bigger than the
Eurocopter EC225, which is making its first US appearance at the
show.
That appearance coincides with Eurocopter's announcement that,
as of January 30, the EC225 has its FAA type certification...
clearing the way for commercial operation in the United States of
the twin-engine aircraft in the 11 metric ton class.
The EC225, which performed its maiden flight in November 2000,
was developed for passenger transport, particularly offshore and
VIP missions, or for public service missions such as search and
rescue (SAR). The latest addition to the Super Puma family, this 11
metric ton aircraft, whose maximum takeoff weight is 11.2 metric
tons with an external sling load, has a new main rotor system, a
reinforced main gearbox, new engines and an innovative integrated
control and display system. The use of new technology means that
the performances, comfort and flight safety of the EC225 have
greatly stirred the enthusiasm of the crews who have flown on this
helicopter.
In July 2004, the EC225 received its twin-pilot IFR and
single-pilot VFR airworthiness certificate from the European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Eighteen months later, boosted by a
launch customer in the United States, Eurocopter formally
instigated the certification process with the FAA.
The "harmonized" certification procedures between Europe and the
United States allowed the FAA to use the work already performed by
EASA to speed up its approval process. However, specific points
were nevertheless validated by teams from the FAA itself. These
teams visited Marignane three times in 2006 and 2007 to assess the
helicopter on the ground and in flight.
In particular, the US authorities
wanted to validate such points as the helicopter’s protection
against high intensity radiation fields (HIRF), its noise footprint
on the ground and even its use in SAR missions. The FAA was able to
certify the aircraft in categories A and B without having to make
any specific modifications to the helicopter, according to the
company.
The EC225 has a flight envelope that extends to an altitude of
20,000 ft with operating temperatures between –30°C and
+50°C. A specific certification procedure to approve the
aircraft for flight in icing conditions will be carried out in the
weeks ahead.
The certification of the EC225 by the FAA means that now the
whole Eurocopter new civil helicopter range is certified in the
United States... and that range is about to grow again. On Sunday,
Eurocopter also plans to unveil at Heli-Expo a new member of its
helicopter family, what it terms "a benchmark aircraft that will
once again become the reference in its class." Stay tuned.
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