The opening day of this year's Heli-Expo saw the unveiling of the first EC 145 to go into service with a US EMS operator, Lee County. The event takes place exactly one year after Eurocopter first demonstrated the aircraft to American customers and prospects at Heli-Expo 2003. With interest in its latest light twin accelerating, Eurocopter attaches utmost importance to the stateside market and especially its EMS operators. A total of five EC 145s have been sold in the US, to date.

With European service introduction of the EC 145 in April 2002, Eurocopter has launched a promising new aircraft in the world market which excels in terms of cabin space and versatility. In fact, the 50th aircraft will enter service at the end of this month. With production now in full swing, delivery times have been reduced significantly. This makes the aircraft even more attractive to the market where high interest has been expressed for law enforcement, EMS and oil & gas applications.

Notable operators include Securite Civile (French Civil Defense and Emergency Preparedness Organization), Gendarmerie Nationale (French National Police), REGA Swiss Air Rescue, ADAC Air Rescue, DRF Air Rescue (Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht) und Hessen Police (Germany), the latter having equipped the aircraft for Homeland Security and Special Forces missions. This illustrious group of highly demanding customers have meanwhile taken the EC 145 through its paces, with missions ranging from mountain rescue, special forces engagements, EMS and Intensive Care transport missions, up to a landing on Europe's highest mountain, Mont Blanc, at 15,770 ft altitude with full operational configuration, a crew of five, and 40 minutes fuel, at no wind and a temperature of ISA + 10 C.

In the Asian market, which is served by program partner Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Japan) and where the helicopter is designated BK 117 C-2, five aircraft have been sold to date.

The IFR-certified EC 145 features a night-vision goggle-compatible, digital glass cockpit with multi-function displays, largely reducing pilot's workload and facilitating day-and-night operations. The aircraft's forward cabin is almost identical to that of the EC 135, thus continuing Eurocopter's cockpit design policy offering a maximum of commonality and man-machine interface as well as providing excellent visibility.

Compared with the BK 117 C-1, from which it was derived and of which a very high number is flying in the US, the EC 145's maximum take-off weight has been increased from 7,385 lbs to 7,904 lbs, and its payload has grown to approximately 3,902 lbs. Its spacious, completely unobstructed cabin can be utilized for a broad variety of configurations, and it is capable of transporting up to ten persons (one pilot + nine passengers). The cabin length has grown from 8.40 ft to 9.71 ft, and the width has increased by 0.59 ft to 5.45 ft at shoulder level. Its large sliding doors, together with rear loading doors like those on the BO 105, BK 117, and the EC 135, offer excellent cabin access from all sides. The cabin has been improved as compared to the C-1 version by removing the center post and the door supports. The EC 145 is also noteworthy for its highly reduced noise level. It is an average of 6.7 dB beneath the International Civil Aircraft Organization standards for helicopters in this class.

The aircraft is powered by two Turbomeca ARRIEL 1E2 engines. A vast number of optional equipment kits is already certified and on offer to customers for immediate utilization of this multipurpose helicopter. Production of the BK 117 C-1 has been closed, with the last three aircraft of this type being delivered by the end of 2004.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com