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Eurocopter EC 135

By Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_EC-135

EC135
Eurocopter EC135 P2 of the German Federal Police
Role Light utility helicopter
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Eurocopter
First flight 15 February 1994
Produced over 650
Unit cost ~US$4.2M
Developed from MBB BO 108
Variants Eurocopter EC 635

BO 108 prototype
BO 108 prototype

A German Eurocopter EC-135 of the Hessian State Police
A German Eurocopter EC-135 of the Hessian State Police

The EC 135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services, and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules (IFR).

Development

The EC135 can trace its history back to before the formation of Eurocopter. It was started as the BO 108 by MBB of Germany in the mid-eighties. A technology demonstrator ('V1') flew for the first time on 17 October 1988, powered by two Allison 250-C20R/1 engines. A second BO 108 ('V2') followed on 5 June 1991, this time with two Turboméca TM319-1B Arrius engines. Both these machines had a conventional tail rotor.

In late 1992, the design was revised with the introduction of the Fenestron tail rotor system, reflecting the creation of Eurocopter that year through the merger of MBB and Aérospatiale. In contrast to other helicopters, the tail rotor blades have been integrated into the tailboom and as they are framed by the tailboom, the risk of an accident has been significantly reduced. This tail rotor system, combined with the fuselage's roomy dimensions, means that the EC135 aircraft has become popular with aeromedical helicopter operators. The EC135 is the best selling light twin of the the past 10 years.

Two pre-production prototypes were built. They flew on 15 February and 16 April 1994, testing the Arrius 2B and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B engines, the older and less powerful Allison Model 250 powerplant having been rejected. A third helicopter followed on 28 November 1994.


Operational history


EC135 T1 of the German Army
EC135 T1 of the German Army

EC135 T1 of French operator SAF Hélicoptères during rescue operation on ski resort
EC135 T1 of French operator SAF Hélicoptères during rescue operation on ski resort

The EC135 made its US debut at the Heli-Expo in January 1995 at Las Vegas. After over 1,600 flight hours, European JAA certification was achieved on 16 June 1996, with FAA approval following on 31 July. Deliveries started on 1 August, when two helicopters (0005 and 0006) were handed over to Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht. The 100th EC135 was handed over to the Bavarian police force in June 1999. By that time the worldwide fleet had clocked up around 30,000 flight hours. As of 2008, the fleet total stood at over 1 million flight hours, with over 650 aircraft delivered.

Single-pilot IFR (SPIFR) certification was granted by the German LBA on December 2, 1999. Deliveries to the German Aviators Corps began on 13 September 2000 at the German Army Aviators School at (Bückeburg Air Base) near Achum. The EC135 received SPIFR certification from the UK CAA in December 2000.

In autumn 2000, Eurocopter announced the start of certification work for the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2, a version of the PW207 which offers improved single-engine performance and 30 second emergency power. The LBA certification was achieved on 10 July 2001, and the first EC135 with the new engines was handed over to the Swedish National Police on 10 August 2001.

The world fleet leader in aircraft hours for this type is G-NESV (s/n 0067). This aircraft was delivered to the North East Air Support Unit in April 1999 and on 29 March 2007 it clocked up its 9,000th hour.

At the NBAA in March 2007 in Atlanta, Eurocopter unveiled ‘L’Hélicoptère par Hermès, a special-edition VIP model designed by Hermès International, S.A.. This variant features a specially-created luxury four-place main cabin, a sliding glass partition, a corporate baggage hold, redesigned skid landing gear and other external changes. Launch customer for ‘L’Hélicoptère par Hermès is Falcon Aviation Services (FAS), based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Offshore Wind Support

In March 2009 the EC 135 was the first aircraft selected for offshore wind support in the UKafter the UK Civil Aviation Authority approved helicopter operations to the Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm. The EC 135 had already been used for some time in Denmark, supporting the Horns Rev offshore wind farm where over 10,000 successful personnel transfers have taken place.

Variants


EC135 T2 air ambulance of the Austrian Air Rescue service in Klagenfurt, Austria
EC135 T2 air ambulance of the Austrian Air Rescue service in Klagenfurt, Austria

Air ambulance of the Dutch ANWB Medical Air Assistance
Air ambulance of the Dutch ANWB Medical Air Assistance

Bavarian State Police Eurocopter EC135 P2, Germany
Bavarian State Police Eurocopter EC135 P2, Germany

Eurocopter EC135 T2 providing law enforcement and medical assistance in the Avon and Somerset Police, and Gloucestershire Police areas, based at Bristol Filton Airport, England.
Eurocopter EC135 T2 providing law enforcement and medical assistance in the Avon and Somerset Police, and Gloucestershire Police areas, based at Bristol Filton Airport, England.
EC135 P1 
Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B. Later versions have the Center Panel Display System (CPDS). Initial maximum take-off weight (M.T.O.W.) of 2,631 kg (5,800 lbs), later raised to 2,721 kg (6,000 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).
EC135 T1 
Powered by two 435 kW (583 shp) Turbomeca Arrius 2B1/2B1A/2B1A1. Later versions have the CPDS. Initial M.T.O.W. of 2,631 kg (5,800 lbs), later raised to 2,721 kg (6,000 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).
EC135 P2 
Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 P1 in production in August 2001.
EC135 T2 
Powered by two 452 kW (652 shp) Turbomeca Arrius 2B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 T1 in production in August 2002.
EC135 P2+ 
Latest production version with 498 kW (667 shp) PW206B2 (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,910 kg (6,415 lbs) M.T.O.W. upgrade, extended component time between overhaul (TBOs), and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil.. Built in Germany and Spain.
EC135 T2+ 
Latest production version with 473 kW (634 shp) Arrius 2B2 engines (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,910 kg (6,415 lbs) M.T.O.W. upgrade, extended component TBOs, and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil. Built in Germany and Spain.
EC135 P2i 
Marketing designation of aircraft upgraded to (rather than built to) EC135 P2+ standard.
EC135 T2i 
Marketing designation of aircraft upgraded to (rather than built to) EC135 T2+ standard.
EC 635 
Military variant operated by Jordan.

Operators

Notable accidents and incidents

  • An Air Methods Corporation EC135 T2+ crashed into a wooded hillside during a night flight on May 10, 2008 near La Crosse, Wisconsin. The pilot along with a doctor and a nurse were killed.

Specifications (EC135 P2+/T2+)


EC135 T2 at Glasgow City Heliport, owned and operated by Bond Helicopters, UK
EC135 T2 at Glasgow City Heliport, owned and operated by Bond Helicopters, UK

Privately-operated EC135 T2 'N614G' at Newnan-Coweta County Airport
Privately-operated EC135 T2 'N614G' at Newnan-Coweta County Airport

Overhead at Polzeath, August 2008
Overhead at Polzeath, August 2008

Data from {Eurocopter EC135 2008 Tech Data book}

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 pilot
  • Capacity: up to seven passengers or two crew and two patients (Air Ambulance variant)
  • Length: 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
  • Rotor diameter: 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 3.51 m (11 ft 6 in)
  • Disc area: 81.7 m² (880 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 1,455 kg (3,208 lb)
  • Useful load: 1,455 kg (3,208 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,910 kg (6,415 lb)
  • Powerplant:Turbomeca Arrius 2B or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B turboshafts, 473 / 498 kW (634 / 667 shp) each

Performance

See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/publications/bulletins/september_2003/corrigendum_023918.cfm

External links




Text from Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply.


Published in July 2009.




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