Jump to content

Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 187.74.244.91 (talk) at 01:19, 20 June 2011 (→‎Notable accidents and achievements). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Redirect6

AS350 Ecureuil/AStar
An AS350BA Squirrel of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm at the 2008 Melbourne Grand Prix
Role Light utility helicopter
Manufacturer Aérospatiale
Eurocopter Group
First flight 26 June 1974
Introduction 1975
Produced 1975 to date
Variants Eurocopter AS355
AS550 Fennec
Eurocopter EC130

The Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil (Squirrel) is a single-engined intermediate helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale (now part of Eurocopter Group). The AS350 is marketed in North America as the AStar. The AS355 Ecureuil 2 (marketed in North America as the TwinStar.) is a twin-engined variant, while the Eurocopter EC130 is a derivative of the AS350 airframe.

Design and development

Development began in the early 1970s to replace the Alouette II, and the first flight took place on 27 June 1974.[1] Despite the introduction of the EC130, production of the Eurocopter AS350 remains strong.

Both single and twin-engined versions have been built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.

The Helicópteros do Brasil (Helibras) subsidiary of Eurocopter signed a contract for a major upgrade program on the Brazilian Army’s fleet of 36 AS350 Ecureuils.[2]

Operational history

On May 14, 2005 an AS350 B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle (fr:Didier Delsalle) touched down on the top of Mt. Everest, at 8,850 metres (29,035 feet) .[3] This record has been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.[4]

On April 29, 2010 a stripped-down AS350 B3 succeeded in rescuing three alpinists from Annapurna at 7,100 m, one at a time, the highest such rescue ever.

Variants

Single engine

A Canadian AS350 BA AStar
Mt. Hotham snow fields AS350 B3
A San Diego Police Department AS350 B3 helicopter
A Eurocopter AS350 dips its bucket into a swimming pool before returning to drop the water on a wildfire outside of Naples, Italy
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department AS350 B3
AS350
Prototype.
AS350 Firefighter
Fire fighting version.
AS350B
Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine.
AS350 B1
Improved version of the original AS350B, which is powered by one Arriel 1D engine, type also fitted with AS355 main rotor blades, AS355 tail rotor with tabs and a tail rotor servo.
AS350 B2
Higher gross weight version powered by one Arriel 1D1 engine over the B1 version with aerodynamic strake fitted to tail boom along the starboard side and angled engine exhaust duct for better yaw control.
AS350 B3
High-performance version, is powered by a Arriel 2B engine equipped with a single channel (DECU) Digital Engine Control Unit with a mechanical backup system. This helicopter is the first ever to land on Mount Everest. Recently introduced AS350 B3/2B1 variant introduces enhanced engine with dual channel (FADEC) Full Authority Digital Engine Control, dual hydraulics and a 2,370 kg (5,225 lb) Maximum Take Off Weight.
AS350 BA
Powered by a Arriel 1B engine and fitted with wider chord AS355 main rotor blades and tail rotor servo.
AS350 BB
AS350 B2 variant selected to meet rotary-wing training needs of UK MoD, through its Defence Helicopter Flying School in 1996. Powered by a derated Arriel 1D1 engine to improve the helicopters' life cycle.
Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1
Designation of AS350BB in operation with British RAF as a training helicopter.
Eurocopter Squirrel HT.2
Designation of AS350BB in operation with British Army Air Corps as a training helicopter.
AS350 C
Initial variant of Lycoming LTS-101-600A2 powered version developed for the North American market as the AStar. Quickly superseded by AS350D.
AS350 D
Powered by one Lycoming LTS-101 engine for the North American market as the AStar. At one stage marketed as AStar 'Mark III.'
AS350 L1
Military derivative of AS350 B1, powered by a 510kW (684shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D turboshaft engine. Superseded by AS350 L2.
AS350 L2
Military derivative of AS350 B2, powered by a 546kW (732shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine. Designation superseded by AS550 C2.
HB350 B Esquilo
Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Air Force. Brazilian designations CH-50 and TH-50. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
HB350 B1 Esquilo
Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Navy. Brazilian designation UH-12. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
HB350 L1
Armed military version for the Brazilian Army. Brazilian designation HA-1. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.

Aftermarket conversions

Soloy Super D
AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
Soloy Super D2
AS350 B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.
Heli-Lynx 350FX1
AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
Heli-Lynx 350FX2
AS350 BA or AS350 B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.
Otech AS350BA+
AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.[5]

Operators

Military operators

AS.350BB Squirrel HT1 of the (UK) Defence Helicopter Flying School
 Argentina
 Albania
 Australia
 Botswana
 Brazil
 Bolivia
 Central African Republic
 Chile
 Ecuador
 Gabon
 Malawi
 Paraguay
 Senegal
 Singapore
all retired
 United Kingdom
 Vietnam

Law Enforcement operators

File:Helicoptero pmeps.jpg
Águia 6 (Eagle 6), an HB-350 of the Polícia Militar do Estado de São Paulo (São Paulo State Military Police)
An AS350B rescue helicopter owned by French National Gendarmerie
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department AS350 B3
 Austria
 Australia
 Botswana
 Brazil
 Canada
 France
 Iceland
 Ireland
  • An Garda Siochana The Police force of the Republic of Ireland operates two AS350 in support roles.
 Mexico
  • Mexico's City Condor Group operate a handful of AS350 B3's.[11][12]
 Philippines
 South Africa
 United States

Civilian operators

AS350 B3 heli-ski helicopter operated by Jet Systems at Les Arcs
AS350 B2 operated by Heliflite picking up hikers in Enontekiö, Finland.
AS350 B2 used by tour operator Sundance Helicopters, based in Las Vegas.
 Austria
  • Wucher Helicopter[16] operates the AS350 B3.
 Australia
 Brazil
 Canada
 Chile
  • Ecocopter (AS350)[21]
  • Helicopters.cl (AS350 B3)[22]
  • Kipreos (AS350 BA)[23]
  • SumaAir (AS350 B3)[24]
 Finland
  • Heliflite Oy in the arctic Finland[25]
 Greenland
 Guatemala
  • Many civilians operate more than 20 AS350 helicopters.
 Hungary
  • 3 AS350 B in service with Hungarian Air Ambulance Service, all of them received general overhaul in 2005-2007.[27]
 Iran
  • Iran uses several of them for geological survey and oil exploration.[28]
 Iceland
  • 1 AS350 B2 is operated by Northflight.
 Italy
  • Fireman Helicopters Group, Autonomous Province of Trento[29] utilizes two AS350 B3 for mountain rescue, fire service, transport service and various civil defence activities.
 Laos
  • Lao West Coast Helicopters, Operates 2 AS350's Primarily for VIP transport and US government employees.
 New Zealand
  • Northland Emergency Services Trust
  • Volcanic Air Safaris operates one AS350B Squirrel helicopter, registered ZK-IAB. The AS350B is commonly used for sight seeing, corporate charters, tourism, aerial video and promotions.
  • Aoraki/Mount Cook Ski Planes operate one AS350 B3 and one AS350 B2 helicopter used for sight seeing and private charters from Aoraki/Mount Cook airport near to Aoraki/Mount Cook village.
  • As of August 2009 there are 118 AS350/AS355 helicopters on the New Zealand civil aircraft register[30]
 Portugal
  • Helibravo, Aviação Lda, has AS350 B2 and B3 used in various missions, from VIP transport to firefighting passing through aerial photograph and filming.
  • EMA (Empresa de Meios Aéreos) has AS350 B3 used in firefighting.
  • HeliPortugal has nine AS350 B2 and B3 for various missions.
 South Africa
  • Netcare 911 uses the AS350B2 and B3 variants for Air Medical Services. South African Red Cross Air Mercy Services uses 4 AS350B2 variants for medical evacuations. N.A.C Helicopters utilises the AS350B for charter.
 Sweden
  • The old Swedish firm Jamtlands Flyg operates one AS350 B2 mainly in the mountainous regions bordering Norway[31]
  • Fiskflyg AB, based in Porjus and Stora sjöfallet, operates 1 AS350 B3. Fiskflyg
 United States
  • Care Flight Part of REMSA Emergency medical transport in Reno Nevada uses four AS350 all leased and ran by another company with REMSA flight paramedic and flight nurse.
  • Flight for Life Emergency medical transport based near Denver, Colorado operates four leased AS350.
  • Air Maui[32] operates air tours of the island of Maui, Hawaii using a fleet of ASTAR's.
  • Safari Helicopters on the Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Hawai'i.[33]
  • Jack Harter Helicopters fly AS350s on scenic flights on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.[34]
  • Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority two AS350
  • EagleMed Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport based out of Wichita, Kansas operates 11 AS350 variants ( AS350B2's and AS350D's ) in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
  • Heli USA Airways, Inc. A Las Vegas based helicopter tour operator using a fleet of 11 AS350's[35]
  • Huntsville Hospital Medflight operates 2 AS350 B3's in Huntsville AL. owned by Air Methods of Englewood CO.
  • Coastal Helicopters Inc. in Juneau, Alaska Operates 3 AS350 Super D's and 5 AS350 B2's, the company operates year round supporting local mines, phone, and the local power company. In the summer it supports the tour industry with glacier flights and dog sled tours on the Juneau ice field. http://www.coastalhelicopters.com

Notable accidents and achievements

Specifications (AS350 B3)

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000[45]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 6

Performance

  • Endurance: 4.1 hrs

Avionics
Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) with First Limit Indicator (FLI) fitted as standard.

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ http://62.160.110.229/jrotor/73/latinamerica.html#I0000f69b
  2. ^ AS350'lere elixir of youth – SavunmaSanayi.Net
  3. ^ http://www.everestnews.com/stories2005/everestcopter05272005.htm
  4. ^ Rotorcraft World Records
  5. ^ Reyno, Mike, "Power Play", Vertical December 2006
  6. ^ http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?100975-African-Military-Aviation-Post-your-images-here!/page32&s=0f0e705cd0fe84143ed88bc7cfb93aac
  7. ^ Eurocopter Press Release – FB Heliservices Ltd. Clocks Up 250,000 Flight Hours With Eurocopter AS350 BB ‘Squirrel’ Fleet As Defence Helicopter Flying School Celebrates 10th Anniversary
  8. ^ http://www.fbheliservices.com/FBH/Middle%20Wallop.htm
  9. ^ Flugpolizei Website (German!)
  10. ^ Botswana’s Police Air Support Branch takes off with Eurocopter AS350 B3 helicopters
  11. ^ http://www.terra.com.mx/articulo.aspx?articuloid=625382&paginaid=2
  12. ^ http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=342184
  13. ^ http://www.phototour.minneapolis.mn.us/philippines/philippines_transportation/5812
  14. ^ http://resources.baltimorecountymd.gov/Documents/Police/2009pdfs/statprofile010109.pdf
  15. ^ LAPD Standardizes AS350B2s With Sagem Cockpit
  16. ^ Wucher Helicopter Website
  17. ^ "Servicing Fire Fighting". Helicopters (Australia) pty ltd. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
  18. ^ "Blackcomb Aviation - Helicopters". Blackcomb Aviation. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  19. ^ Sander Geophysics (undated). "Geophysical Survey Aircraft - Eurocopter AS 350 B3". Retrieved 30 April 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  20. ^ blairwalker1 (undated). "Geophysical Survey Aircraft - Eurocopter AS 350 B3". Retrieved 11 November 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) [dead link]
  21. ^ Ecocopter Chile webpage
  22. ^ Helicopters.cl webpage
  23. ^ Kipreos Ingenieros webpage
  24. ^ Suma Air webpage
  25. ^ Heliflite webpage
  26. ^ Air Greenland AS350 page
  27. ^ OMSz Légimentõ Kht
  28. ^ [1]
  29. ^ Fireman Helicopters Group Trento webpage
  30. ^ NZ CAA Aircraft Model Statistics.
  31. ^ Jamtlands Flyg webpage
  32. ^ Air Maui web pages
  33. ^ [2]
  34. ^ [3]
  35. ^ [ www.heliusa.com]
  36. ^ [4]
  37. ^ http://www.abc15.com/content/aboutus/bios/story.aspx?content_id=cbbf03e0-247b-4b74-be7a-8c199c50d80d
  38. ^ Civil Aviation Authority
  39. ^ "Colin McRae feared dead in helicopter crash - police". Yahoo! News/AFP. Retrieved 2007-09-16. [dead link]
  40. ^ Rose, Gareth; Watson, Jeremy (16 September 2007). "Rally ace Colin McRae dies in helicopter crash". Edinburgh: The Scotsman. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
  41. ^ [5]
  42. ^ [6]
  43. ^ "All 3 aboard medical helicopter die in crash". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
  44. ^ "Antarctic chopper crash kills four". Herald Sun. October 30, 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  45. ^ Taylor 1999, p.377.
  46. ^ Fuselage length
  • Taylor, Michael J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London:Brassey's, 1999. ISBN 1 85753 245 7.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eurocopter Ecureuil.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eurocopter_AS350_Écureuil&oldid=435193273"