Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Eurocopter EC225)
| EC225 Super Puma | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| A Bristow Helicopters EC225LP at Aberdeen Airport. | |
| Role | Passenger Transport Helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Eurocopter Group |
| First flight | 27 November 2000 |
| Introduction | December 2004 |
| Number built | 100 (2011)[1] |
| Developed from | Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma |
| Variants | Eurocopter EC 725 Super Cougar |
The Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma Mk II+ is a long-range passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter as the next generation in the civilian Super Puma family. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 24 passengers along with 2 crew and a cabin attendant, dependent on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for offshore support and VIP passenger transport duties, as well as public service missions.
Contents |
[edit] Development
The EC225 development was announced by Eurocopter in June 1998, with the first prototype performing its maiden flight on 27 November 2000. It received safety certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency in July 2004.
[edit] Design
The EC225 is based on the Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma, improving upon the design with a five-blade main rotor incorporating a new airfoil shape to reduce vibration levels. The helicopter is powered by two Turbomeca Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines mounted over the cabin, which feature a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system and anti-icing system to enable it to operate in very cold climates. Other improvements include a reinforced main rotor gearbox and a full glass cockpit with Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays.
There are currently 4 configurations designed by Eurocopter for the EC225. The passenger transport version has seating arrangements for 19 passengers with a high-density seating arrangement accommodating up to 24 passengers. The VIP transport version has a large VIP lounge with seating for 8 passengers and a cabin attendant. The Emergency Medical Service (EMS) configuration has medical units for 6 stretchers and 4 seats for medical workers. Finally, the SAR configuration allows for Search & Rescue equipment with an operator seat, hoistman seat and up to 8 rescue seats and 3 stretchers.
[edit] Operational history
Algeria became the first country to use the EC225 when the Algerian Ministerial Air Liaisons Group (GLAM) received one in December 2004 for VIP transport duties.
[edit] Variants
- EC225 LP
- An improved variant of the AS332 L2.
- EC225 Firefighting/SAR
- EC225 with water bombing kits, FLIR, and all-weather radar for search, rescue, and firefighting operations.[2]
[edit] Operators
- Algeria's Ministerial Air Liaisons Group operates 2 aircraft for VIP transport duties serving the Presidency of the Algerian Republic.[3]
- CHC Helicopter Corporation ordered 22 aircraft in 2007 to support the offshore oil & gas industry in the North Sea, with possibilities for search and rescue duties. They are expected to be delivered between 2008 and 2012.[4] Ordered further 20 in 2011
- French Naval Aviation placed an off-the-shelf order for two EC225s as a short-term replacement for the Aérospatiale Super Frelon helicopters of Flotille 32F, with the first delivered on 22 April 2010.[5]
- The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force operates 1 helicopter in the VIP configuration for the Japanese Emperor’s Royal Flight Service and used to transport the Japanese Emperor, Prime Minister and official guests.[6]
- The Japan Coast Guard operates 2 aircraft for Transport and Search & Rescue duties.[7]
- The air charter operator Aeropersonal use 3 EC-225 in special VIP charters
- CHC Norway operates 8 EC225s for oil & gas support as transports and stationed offshore in the All Weather SAR (AWSAR) role.
- Bristow Norway operates 2 EC225s for transport and SAR.
- China's Ministry of Transport ordered 2 aircraft in 2006 for their Rescue & Salvage Bureau, they are equipped for Search & Rescue (SAR) duties.[8] Following the successful operation of the initial 2 EC225, a second order of 2 more EC225s was signed in 2009, these were delivered in June and August 2011, respectively.[9]
- Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. (COHC) ordered 2 aircraft in 2006 and expected to be delivered at the end of 2007. The aircraft will be in the offshore configuration and equipped with auxiliary pod fuel tanks for increased range.[10]
- One ordered by the Guangdong Public Security Bureau[11]
- The ROCAF confirmed the order for 3 EC225s on 3 February 2010 with an option for 17 more, the initial batch of 3 EC225s was completed in June 2011[12] and were delivered in November 2011.[13]
- At least one firefighting and SAR variant of EC225 is serving with the National 119 Rescue Service.[2]
- The National Police Corps of Spain operates 1 helicopter since September 2010 [14]
- The Spanish Maritime Safety Agency has confirmed on August 15, 2011 an order for 1 aircraft that will be delivered in 2012 for search and rescue and water protection duties.[15]
- Bristow Helicopters operates 8 aircraft for North Sea operations supporting the oil & gas industry. Bristow in Australia also operate 3[16]
- Bond Offshore Helicopters operate from Aberdeen to North Sea oil and gas platforms.
- Southern Flight Service Company bought one aircraft to use for offshore rescue efforts and VIP flights. It has also ordered one more.[17]
- Vietnam People's Navy, 2 EC225S.
- Air Greenland bought two aircraft to use for passenger transport and Sar duties. http://www.helis.com/database/news/ec225_airgreen/
[edit] Competitions
- EC225 is a candidate for the Norwegian All Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) that is planned to replace the Westland Sea King Mk.43B of the Royal Norwegian Air Force in 2015.[18] The other candidates for the NAWSARH contract of 10-12 helicopters are AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin, Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, NHIndustries NH-90 and Sikorsky S-92.[19]
- The EC225 was also competing with Sikorsky S-92 to become the future UK Search and Rescue - Helicopter (SAR-H Programme)[20]
[edit] Accidents and Incidents
- 18 February 2009. G-REDU a EC225LP from Bond Offshore Helicopters containing 16 passengers and 2 crew, ditched into the North sea 120 miles east of Aberdeen. All 18 aboard were rescued. Controlled flight into terrain is believed to be the reason for the crash.[21] See April 2009 North Sea helicopter crash for a nearby incident with the same aircraft family and operator six weeks later.
[edit] Specifications (EC 225)
 |
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them. |
Data from {Eurocopter.com}[22]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2 (pilot + co-pilot)
- Capacity: 19 passengers + 1 cabin attendant
- Length: 19.50 m (63.98 ft)
- Rotor diameter: 16.20 m (53.14 ft)
- Height: 4.97 m (16.30 ft)
- Empty weight: 5,256 kg (11,587 lb)
- Loaded weight: 11,000 kg (24,251 lb)
- Useful load: 5,744 kg (12,663 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 11,200 kg (24,690 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Makila 2A1 turboshafts, 1,776 kW (2,382 shp) each
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 324 km/h, 201 mph (175 kts)
- Maximum speed: 275.5 km/h, 171 mph (148.5 kts)
- Cruise speed: 260.5 km/h, 161 mph (140.5 kts)
- Range: 857 km, 532 mi (463 nm)
- Service ceiling: 5,900 m (19,350 ft)
- Rate of climb: 8.7 m/s (1707 ft/min)
[edit] See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
[edit] References
- ^ Eurocopter delivers the 100th EC225 to Bristow Group, 07-12-2011
- ^ a b - EC225 firefighting variant
- ^ EADS N.V. - Delivery Of The First EC 225 To The Ministerial Air Liaisons Group Of The Republic Of Algeria
- ^ Eurocopter Press Release - Eurocopter & CHC Helicopter Corporation Sign Contract For 16 EC225 Helicopters At Heli-Expo
- ^ Grolleau, Henri-Pierre. "Hello EC225, Goodbye Super Frelon". Air International, June 2010. Stanford, UK:Key Publishing. ISSN 0306-5634. p.12.
- ^ EADS Press Release - Japan Defense Agency Received First EC225 In VIP Configuration For The Japanese Emperor’s Royal Flight Service
- ^ EADS Press Release Eurocopter Succeeds With EC 225 In Open Japanese Competition
- ^ EC 225 Is Ordered For The First Time In China By The Ministry Of Communications To Fulfil Search And Rescue Missions
- ^ "Final Chinese SAR EC225 Delivery" Air Forces Monthly (Key Publishing), Issue 283, October 2011, pp. 30. ISSN 09557091. Retrieved: 10 October 2011.
- ^ Eurocopter Press Release - Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. Ltd. (COHC) & Eurocopter Announce The Signing Of A Contract For The Supply Of Two EC225 Helicopters At The Farnborough International Airshow
- ^ (Chinese)"广东公安将拥有全球"最牛"直升机". Information Times. 2009-05-18. http://informationtimes.dayoo.com/html/2009-05/18/content_571697.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ "All Three Taiwanese Air Force E225s Now Completed" Air Forces Monthly (Key Publishing), Issue 283, October 2011, pp. 31. ISSN 09557091. Retrieved: 10 October 2011.
- ^ http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201201210015 ["Air Force denies wasting billions on rescue choppers" The Central News Agency Retrieved: 21 Jan 2012.]
- ^ http://www.policia.es/org_central/medios_aereos/historia.html
- ^ Fomento adjudica a Eurocopter el súper Helimer .
- ^ Eurocopter Press Release - Bristow Group Inc. Signs Three Orders & Eight Options For Eurocopter EC225 At Heli-Expo 2007
- ^ http://vnexpress.net/GL/Kinh-doanh/2009/08/3BA124D7/
- ^ "The NAWSARH Project". Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/jd/kampanjer/helicopters/about-the-project.html. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ Per Erlien Dalløkken (2009-05-07). "De fem kandidatene" (in Norwegian). Teknisk Ukeblad. http://www.tu.no/motor/article208828.ece. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ "SAR-H bidders announce helicopter types". Shephard Group. 2009-03-11. http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/2072/sar-h-bidders-announce-helicopter-types/. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ "Bond Helicopters Super Puma Flight Global (commentary)
- ^ "Eurocopter EC 225 Technical Data" (PDF). http://www.eurocopter.com/site/docs_wsw/fichiers_communs/docs/TD_EC225%20.pdf. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Eurocopter EC 225 |
- Eurocopter EC 225 Technical Data Manual
- Aerospace Technology - Eurocopter EC 225
- Deagel.com - EC225 / EC 225 Super Puma
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
