First Presentation Of EC175 In SAR Configuration

Eurocopter will be showing several of its successful products and key examples of its R&D work at Heli-Expo in Houston, demonstrating its innovative strength and continued effort to increase the customer value of its helicopters.

EC175 First Flight

Eurocopter’s helicopter family is represented by a SAR-configured, full-scale mock-up of the medium-class EC175, an EC145, an EC135 P2i, an EC130 B4 and an AS350 B2.

EC175 is back in a new mission configuration The EC175 performed its successful maiden flight on December 4, 2009, precisely four years after the program was launched and on time. Flight tests continue and are on track. A total of 114 have been pre-ordered by 14 customers to date. Type certifications by EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency), FAA and TCAA for the EC175 are slated for 2011, with first deliveries scheduled for 2012. Eurocopter has brought back to Heli-Expo the full-scale mock-up of the EC175, reconfigured for SAR (Search-and-Rescue) missions.

The EC175 is equipped with a full screen cockpit and a digital four-axis Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) linked to the flight management system (FMS) which provides area navigation and automatic search patterns. The AFCS, which is derived from the EC225, provides unrivalled help to the crew throughout a SAR mission by providing automatic transitions adapted to coastal environment, the most reactive and precise automatic hover mode at sea or on shore, and unique automatic management in case of an engine failure whether the aircraft is in cruise flight or in hover mode.

Eurocopter’s  EMS (Emergency Medical Services) technology will be represented at Heli-Expo 2010 by an EC145 for Children’s Mercy Hospital and an EC130 for Air Methods.

EC145

An AS350 B2 featuring Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) equipment will highlight this helicopter’s mission versatility. The single-engine workhorse exhibited at Heli-Expo is from Canada’s Slave Lake Helicopters, which provides services that range from tree planting and forestry duties to firefighting and oil industry support. The AS350 AStar is one of the world’s best-selling helicopters, operating around the world for utility work, law enforcement, search and rescue, corporate/VIP, and air medical flights.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com