 |
|
By
Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_AS350
The Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil ("Squirrel") is a single-engined light helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale (now part of Eurocopter Group). The AS350 is marketed in North America as the AStar. The AS355 Ecureuil 2 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. 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.
Operational history
On May 14, 2005 a standard-configured Ecureuil AS350 B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle touched down on the top of Mt. Everest, at 8,850 meters (29,035 feet) . This record has been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
Variants
Single engine
 | |
A Canadian AS350 BA AStar |
 | |
A Eurocopter AS350 dips its bucket into a swimming pool before returning to drop the water on a wildfire outside of Naples, Italy |
- AS350
- Prototype.
- AS350 Firefighter
- Fire fighting version.
- AS350B
- Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine.
- AS350 B1
- Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1D engine.
- AS350 B2
- Higher gross weight version powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine.
- AS350 B3
- High-performance version, is powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2B engine equipped with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. This helicopter is the first ever to land on Mount Everest. Recently introduced AS350 B3/2B1 variant introduces enhanced engine with dual digital FADEC, dual hydraulics and a 2,370 kg (5,225 lb) M.T.O.W.
- AS350 BA
- Powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine and fitted with wider chord main rotor blades.
- 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 Turbomeca 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 Quickly superseded by AS350D.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 510-kW (684-shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D turboshaft engine. Superseded by AS350 L2.
- AS350 L2
- Military derivative of AS350 B2, powered by a 546-kW (732-shp) 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 .
Operators
Military operators
 Australia
 Botswana
 Brazil
 Central African Republic
 Chile
 Ecuador
 Paraguay
 Senegal United Kingdom
 Vietnam
Law Enforcement operators
 | |
San Bernardino County Sheriff's AS350 B3 |
 Austria
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Various police departments operates the HB350 Esquilo
 Canada
 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. |
- Austria
- Wucher Helicopter operates the AS350 B3.
- Australia
- Chile
- Ecocopter (AS350)
- Helicopters.cl (AS350 B3)
- Kipreos (AS350 BA)
- SumaAir (AS350 B3)
 Finland
- Heliflite Oy in the arctic Finland
 Hungary
- 3 AS350 B in service with Hungarian Air Ambulance Service, all of them received general overhaul in 2005-2007.
 Iran
- Iran uses several of them for geological survey and oil exploration.
 Iceland
- 1 AS350 B2 is operated by Northflight, also do they have one more on its way.
 Italy
- Fireman Helicopters Group, Autonomous Province of Trentoutilizes two AS350 B3 for mountain rescue, fire service, transport service and various civil defence activities.
 New Zealand
- 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.
- 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 mountainious regions bordering Norway
- United States
- Flight for Life Emergency medical transport based near Denver, Colorado operates four leased AS350.
- Air Mauioperates 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.
- Jack Harter Helicopters fly AS350s on scenic flights on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
Accidents and incidents
- July 1997, a AS350 with WPVI-TV in Philadelphia crashed as it was taking off to do news reports but the pilots managed to glide it to the ground safely and walked away from it.
Specifications (AS350 B3)
Data from {Original Ecureuil article}
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 6
- Length: 12.94 m (42.45 ft)
- Rotor diameter: 10.69 m (35.07 ft)
- Height: 3.24 m (10.63 ft)
- Empty weight: 1,241 kg (2,736 lbs)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,250/2,570 kg (4,960/5,225 lbs)
- Powerplant: 1× Turbomeca Arriel 2B or 2B1 turboshaft, 632 kW (847 shp)
Performance
Avionics
Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) with First Limit Indicator (FLI) fitted as standard.
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
External links
Text from Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Published in July 2009.
Click here to read more articles related to aviation and space!
|
|
