Eurocopter AS 350B2 Ecureuil

Type (Muster)
Light helicopter (Einmotoriger Leichthubschrauber)

Country (Land)
France (Frankreich)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Eurocopter
Aeroport Marseille Provence
F-13725 Marignane Cedex
France

Phone: 0033-4/4285-9291
Fax: 0033-4/4285-9564

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 5 to 6

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Turboméca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft
Power (Leistung): 1 x 546 kW (732 shp) at take-off and 466 kW max. continuous. Transmission rated at 440 kW(590 shp) for take-off
Fuel consumption (Verbrauch): 0,655 kg/km at 226 km/h

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 10,93 m
Length overall, rotor turning (Länge über drehenden Rotor): 12,94 m
Height (Höhe): 3,14 m over rotor head
Max. fuselage width (Rumpfbreite): 1,80 m
Main rotor diameter (Hauptrotordurchmesser): 10,69 m
Tail rotor diameter (Heckrotordurchmesser): 1,86 m
Main rotor disk area (Hauptrotorfläche): 89,75 sq m
Tail rotor disk area (Heckrotorkreisfläche): 2,71 sq m

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 2,42 m
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 1,65 m in the rear
Cabin height (Kabinenhöhe): 1,35 m
Floor area (Kabinengrundfläche): 2,60 sq m
Cabin volume (Kabinenvolumen): 3 cu m
Baggage compartment volume (Gepäckraumvolumen): 1 cu m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 1171 kg
Useful load (max. Zuladung): 1088 kg
Load on the external sling (max. Außenlast): 1160 kg
Usable fuel (Kraftstoff): 540 litres in standard tanks plus 475 litres in auxiliary tank in the cabin
Max. gross weight (Max. Startmasse): 2250 kg or 2500 kg with external loac

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (Höchstgeschwindigkeit): 287 km/h
Max. cruise speed (maximale Reisegeschwindigkeit): 248 km/h at sea level
Recommended cruise speed (empfohlene Reisegeschw.): 226 km/h
Max. rate of climb (Steigrate): 8,9 m/s at sea level
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 4800 m (15750 ft)
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
- out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt): 2550 m
- in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt): 3200 m
Maximum range (max. Reichweite): 666 km at 226 km/h
Endurance (Einsatzdauer): 4.5 h

Customers (Kunden)
By the end of 1999, around 2240 single-engined AS 350s of all types were orderd from 70 countries.
A special version of the AS 350B2 is in service with the UK Ministry of Defence as the Squirrel HT Mk1 and Squirrel HT Mk2.
Among the AS 350B2 customers are:
   * Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in the USA (7)
   * Era Aviation in the USA (21)
   * Great Slave Helicopters in Canada (1)
   * Los Angeles News Service (1)
   * Petroleum Helicopters (4)
   * Rocky Mountain Helicopters (2)

Competitors (Konkurrenz)
Bell 206 LongRanger

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The AS 350B2 is the current basic production version of the Ecureuil family. Compared with the previous AS 350BA, it features increased power and uprated transmission, wide-chord section main and tail rotors.
The military version of the B2 is designated AS 550C3 Fennec. It features a taller landing gear, sliding doors, NVG-compatible cockpit, reinforced airframe and provisons for armoured seats and engine cowlings.
An Ecureuil with hot and high operating capabilities is the AS 350B3.
In North America, the AS 350 is marketed as the Astar.

History (Geschichte)
The AS 350 Ecureuil family started in the early 70s under the Aérospatiale banner. First flight of a Lycoming LTS101-powered machine took place on 27 June 1994. The second prototype was fitted with an Arriel 1A and took to the air in February 1975. Certification (with Arriel 1B powerplant) was achieved in October 1977.
The AS 350B2 was certified in April 1989.
By the end of 1999, teh Ecureuil fleet had amassed more than 10 million flying hours.

Last updated 18 September 2000

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