Eurocopter Ecureuil

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"AStar" redirects here. For the algorithm, see A* search algorithm. For other uses, see Astar (disambiguation).
AS 350 Ecureuil/AStar
AS 355 Ecureuil 2/TwinStar
Eurocopter AS-355N Ecureuil 2 at Paris Air Show 2007
Type Light utility
Manufacturer Aérospatiale
Eurocopter Group
Maiden flight 26 June 1974
Introduced 1975
Produced 1975 to date
Unit cost ~US$2.4M (AS350 B2)
~US$2.7M (AS350 B3)
~US$3.9M (AS355 NP VFR)
~US$4.6M (AS355 NP IFR)
Variants Eurocopter Fennec
Eurocopter EC 130

The Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil ("Squirrel") and AS 355 Ecureuil 2 are a family of light helicopters originally manufactured by Aérospatiale (now part of Eurocopter Group). The AS 350 (marketed as the AStar in North America) is the single-engined version, while the AS 355 (TwinStar) uses two engines. The EC 130B is a recent adaptation of the AS 350 airframe.

Contents

[edit] Design and development

Development began in the early 1970's to replace the Alouette II, and the first flight took place on 27 June 1974. [1] A twin-engined version, known as the Ecureuil 2, Twin Squirrel, or in North America as the Twin Star, first flew on 3 October 1979. Despite the introduction of the EC130, production of the Eurocopter AS 350 and AS 355, and the AS 550 and AS 555 Fennec military versions remains strong.

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

[edit] Operational history

On May 14, 2005 an AS 350B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle set an absolute world record for highest helicopter landing and takeoff. The standard-configured Ecureuil touched down at 8 850 meters (29 035 feet) on the top of Mt. Everest.[2] This report has been questioned and is unconfirmed. [3]

[edit] Variants

[edit] Single engine

Image:Canadian Helicopters Astar AS-350.jpg
A Canadian AS 350 AStar
Image:Ecureuil P1190040.jpg
Aérospatiale AS 350 B2
AS 350
Prototype.
AS 350 Firefighter
Fire fighting version.
AS 350B
Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine.
AS 350B1
Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1D engine.
AS 350B2
Higher gross weight version powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine.
AS 350B3
High-performance version, is powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2B engine equipped with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system.
AS 350BA
Powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine and fitted with wider chord main rotor blades.
AS 350BB
Powered by a derated Turbomeca Arriel engine to improve the helicopters life cycle.
Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1
Military version of the AS 350BB for the British RAF as a training helicopter.
Eurocopter Squirrel HT.2
Military version of the AS 350BB for the British Army Air Corps as a training helicopter.
AS 350C
Powered by one Lycoming LTS-101-600A2 engine for the North American market as the AStar.
AS 350D
Powered by one Lycoming LTS-101 engine for the North American market as the AStar.
AS 350L2
Military version, powered by a 546-kW (732-shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine.
HB 350B Esquilo
Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Air Force. Brazilian designations CH-50 and TH-50. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
HB 350B1 Esquilo
Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Navy. Brazilian designation UH-12. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
HB 350L1
Armed military version for the Brazilian Army. Brazilian designation HA-1. Built under licence by Helibas in Brazil.

[edit] Twin engine

Image:EurocopterAS350Écureuil ILA2006.jpg
AS 355F1 Ecureuil 2
AS 355
Prototype known as Ecureuil 2 or Twin Squirrel.
AS 355E
North American version known as Twin Star.
AS 355F
Improved version.
AS 355F1
Powered by the Allison C20F engine.
AS 355F2
Powered by the Allison C20F engine with uprated engine and transmission for M.T.O.W (2540 kg's) over the F1 series (2400kg's) and hydraulic accumulator for better tail rotor control.
AS 355M2
Armed version.
AS 355N Ecureuil 2
Version fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A engines and a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system for better M.T.O.W (2600kg's) and better single engine performance.
AS 355NP
Introduced in 2007, this version is fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A1 turboshaft engines and a new AS 350B3-based main gearbox, increasing maximum take-off weight to 2,800kg.[4]
HB.355F Ecureuil 2
Licence built in Brazil by Helibras.
HB.355N Ecureuil 2
Licence built in Brazil by Helibras.

[edit] Aftermarket conversions

Soloy Super D
AS350BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
Soloy Super D2
AS350B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.
Heli-Lynx 350FX1
AS350BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
Heli-Lynx 350FX2
AS350BA or AS350B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.
Otech AS350BA+
AS350BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine [5].
Heli-Lynx 355FX1
Powered by the Allison C20F engine. FAA, TC, and EASA approved.
Heli-Lynx 355FX2
Powered by the Allison C20F engine. FAA,TC and EASA approved.
Heli-Lynx 355FX2R
Powered by the Allison C20R engine. FAA and TC approved.
Starflex AS355F1R
AS355F1 powered by the Allison C20R engine. FAA, TC and EASA approved.
Starflex AS355F2R
AS355F2 Powered by the Allison C20R engine with optimised tail rotor blades. FAA, TC and EASA approved.

[edit] Operators

[edit] Military operators

Image:Flag of Albania.svg Albania
Image:Flag of Algeria.svg Algeria
Image:Flag of Australia.svg Australia
Image:Flag of Benin.svg Benin
Image:Flag of Botswana.svg Botswana
Image:Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Image:Flag of Canada.svg Canada
Image:Flag of the Central African Republic.svg Central African Republic
Image:Flag of Chile.svg Chile
Image:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China
Image:Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark
Image:Flag of Ecuador.svg Ecuador
Image:Flag of France.svg France
Image:Flag of Gabon.svg Gabon
Image:Flag of Guinea.svg Guinea
Image:Flag of Jamaica.svg Jamaica
Image:Flag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia
Image:Flag of Mali.svg Mali
Image:Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco
Image:Flag of Paraguay.svg Paraguay
Image:Flag of Peru.svg Peru
Image:Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore
Image:Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Trinidad and Tobago
Image:Flag of Tunisia.svg Tunisia
Image:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates
Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Image:Flag of Uruguay.svg Uruguay

[edit] Law Enforcement operators

Image:Sbc-sheriff-B3-N631SB-050915-01-16.jpg
San Bernardino County Sheriff's AS-350
Image:Flag of Austria.svg Austria
  • Flugpolizei (Ministry of Interior)[7] operates five AS 350 B1, two AS 355 F2 and two AS 355 N.
Image:Flag of Australia.svg Australia
Image:Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
  • Goiás Military Police [8]
Image:Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Federal Police
Image:Flag of Canada.svg Canada
Image:Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Image:Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco
Image:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands
  • Netherlands Coast Guard for use at Curacao (Netherlands Antillies)
Image:Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
  • New Zealand Police Eagle Unit[9]
Image:Flag of Norway.svg Norway
Image:Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines
Image:Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Trinidad and Tobago
  • Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago
Image:Flag of the United States.svg United States

[edit] Civilian operators

Image:Flag of Australia.svg Australia
Image:Flag of Germany.svg Germany
Image:Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary
  • 3 AS350B in service with Hungarian Air Ambulance Service, all of them received general overhaul in 2005-2007.[11]
Image:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates
Puerto Rico
  • Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority

[edit] Accidents and incidents

On 22 October 1996, Chelsea Football Club Vice Chairman Matthew Harding together with five companions were killed when their AS 355F1 Squirrel, registration G-CFLT, crashed near Middlewich, Cheshire.[12]

On July 27 2007, two AS 350 collided in mid-air while reporting a Police pursuit.The two helicopters were part of KNXV-TV and KTVK television stations in Phoenix, Arizona. Four crew members were killed by this accident.[13]

On 15 September 2007, former World Rally Championship driver Colin McRae and three passengers were killed when his AS350B2 Squirrel,[14] which he was piloting, crashed near Lanark, Scotland.[15][16].

[edit] Specifications (AS350B3)

Data from {Original Ecureuil article}

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 6
  • Length: 12.94 m (42.46 ft)
  • Rotor diameter: 10.69 m (35.06 ft)
  • Height: 3.14 m (10.96 ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,232 kg (2,917 lbs)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,250 kg (4,960 lbs)
  • Powerplant: 1× Turbomeca Arriel 2B turboshaft, 632 kW (847 shp)

Performance

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://62.160.110.229/jrotor/73/latinamerica.html#I0000f69b
  2. ^ Vertical Magazine, July, 2005
  3. ^ Everest 2005: The Helicopter on Everest : The Summit is disputed!! Questions continue: Updated
  4. ^ Eurocopter Press Release - Eurocopter Upgrades Its Most Affordable Twin, The AS355 Ecureuil/TwinStar
  5. ^ Reyno, Mike, "Power Play", Vertical December 2006
  6. ^ 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
  7. ^ Flugpolizei Website (German!)
  8. ^ Polícia Militar de Goiás website
  9. ^ http://www.police.govt.nz/service/airsupport/
  10. ^ LAPD Standardizes AS350B2s With Sagem Cockpit
  11. ^ http://www.legimentok.hu/index.php?mod=ShowStatic&page=as350b
  12. ^ "Pilot disorientated on impact", BBC News. Retrieved on 2007-09-17. 
  13. ^ http://www.abc15.com/content/aboutus/bios/story.aspx?content_id=cbbf03e0-247b-4b74-be7a-8c199c50d80d
  14. ^ Civil Aviation Authority
  15. ^ "Colin McRae feared dead in helicopter crash - police", Yahoo! News/AFP. Retrieved on 2007-09-16. 
  16. ^ "Rally ace Colin McRae dies in helicopter crash", The Scotsman. Retrieved on 2007-09-16. 

[edit] External links

[edit] Related content

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Eurocopter Ecureuil

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See also

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Eurocopter Group

Commercial helicopters:

BK 117 · EC 120 Colibri · EC 130 · EC 135 · EC 145 · EC 155 · EC 225 · AS 332 Super Puma · AS 350 Ecureuil/AStar · AS 355 Ecureuil 2/TwinStar · SA 365/AS 365 Dauphin

Military helicopters:

AS 532 Cougar · AS 550/AS 555 Fennec · AS 565 Panther · EC 635 · EC 665 Tiger · EC 725 Cougar · NH90 · UH-72 Lakota

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