Helos Will See Olympic Duty In 2008

Aero-News learned Friday that the Chinese Ministry of Communications (MOC) and Eurocopter have signed a contract for the acquisition of two EC225 helicopters. The helos will be operated by the Rescue and Salvage Bureau to conduct Search and Rescue missions.

"[The helicopters] will be fully operational by end 2007, joining the reknowned MOC helicopter fleet, ready to bring an outstanding contribution in the frame of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games," said Norbert Ducrot, Eurocopter Executive Vice President.

The EC 225 (file photo of type, above) -- the latest addition to the Super Puma family of twin-engine aircraft in the 10/11 ton class -- made its maiden flight in November 2000. The versatile helicopter was developed to perform a variety of missions such as Search And Rescue (SAR), police and anti-terrorism ops, as well as offshore and VIP transportation.

More than 40 aircraft from the EC 225 family have already been ordered and the total number of orders for the Super Puma/ EC 225 family has increased to almost 700.

Eurocopter reports 21 Super Pumas are already in operation in China... and the company sees room for many more. In fact, Eurocopter is the current front runner in the Chinese helicopter market, with a 45 percent share in the civil and public helicopter sectors. Between now and 2015, it is predicted that China will need about 300 helicopters.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com