American air medical services provider CJ Systems Aviation Group has chosen the Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 as the primary engine on their upcoming purchase of five additional EC 135 helicopters. The company will also purchase two EC 145s equipped with Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines.

Turbomeca tells Aero-News that the company's decision was based on several factors, including CJ Systems' previous experience with their helicopters equipped with Arrius 2B1 engines. The company's current fleet of Arrius 2B1-equipped EC135s have recorded an average time-before-removal rate of approximately 8,400 hours, with the first twelve engines reaching overhaul without any intermediate removal history.

“The reliability of the Arrius engines and our close working relationship with Turbomeca USA’s senior staff were major factors in our decision to select the Turbomeca engines,” said Don Lambert, Vice President of Technical Support at CJ Systems.

CJ Systems Aviation Group operates 36 Arrius-2 engines, and has selected Turbomeca products since 1996.

“We are pleased to be able to continue our long standing partnership with CJ Systems Aviation Group," said Russ Spray, President and Chief Executive Officer of Turbomeca USA, "and we look forward to supporting their valued air medical transport missions throughout the United States.”

The EC 135 aircraft can be powered either with Turbomeca’s Arrius engines, or the Pratt & Whitney PW 206 B2.

The Arrius 2B2 was designed to allow a greater take-off weight in category A, within an extended temperature range. Turbomeca states the engine offers its best performances at high altitudes and temperatures.

In addition, the engine TBO (Time Between Overhaul) is 3,500 hours since the certification and the life cycles are improved.

The Arrius 2B2 is the first engine to offer the facility to use the emergency OEI (One Engine Inoperative) 30”/2’ ratings several times without engine maintenance.

The Arriel 1E2 powers the twin-engine EC 145 (file photo of type, above). The Arriel 1 turboshaft engine features a very simple design, with a reduced number of parts and only five modules, for easy maintenance. The Arriel 1 has a TBO (Time Between Overhaul) of 3,000 hours, which can be extended to "on condition" on Module 1 and to 6,000 hours on Modules 2 and 4.

FMI: www.turbomeca.com, www.cjsystemsaviation.com