Eurocopter EC 135

Infobox Aircraft
name= EC135


caption= Eurocopter EC135 P2 of the German Police
type= Light utility helicopter
manufacturer= Eurocopter
designer=
first flight= 15 February 1994
introduced=
retired=
status=
primary user=
more users=
produced=
number built=
unit cost= ~US$4.2M
developed from = MBB BO 108
variants with their own articles= Eurocopter EC 635

The EC 135 is a twin-engine civil helicopter produced by Eurocopter, widely used amongst police and ambulance services, and for executive transport. It is capable of flight under instrument flight rules (IFR).

Development

The EC135 can trace its history back to before the formation of Eurocopter. It was started as the BO 108 by MBB of Germany in the mid-eighties. A technology demonstrator ('V1') flew for the first time on 17 October 1988, powered by two Allison 250-C20R/1 engines. A second BO 108 ('V2') followed on 5th June 1991, this time with two Turboméca TM319-1B Arrius engines. Both these machines had a conventional tail rotor.

In late 1992, the design was revised with the introduction of the "Fenestron" tail rotor system, reflecting the creation of Eurocopter that year through the merger of MBB and Aérospatiale. In contrast to other helicopters, the tail rotor blades have been integrated into the tailboom and as they are framed by the tailboom, the risk of an accident has been significantly reduced. This tail rotor system, combined with the fuselage's roomy dimensions, means that the EC135 aircraft has become popular with aeromedical helicopter operators. The EC135 is the best selling light twin of the the past 10 years.

Two pre-production prototypes were built. They flew on 15 February and 16 April 1994, testing the Arrius 2B and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B engines, the older and less powerful Allison Model 250 powerplant having been rejected. A third helicopter followed on 28 November 1994.

Operational history

The EC135 made its US debut at the Heli-Expo in January 1995 at Las Vegas. After over 1,600 flight hours, European JAA certification was achieved on 16 June 1996, with FAA approval following on 31 July. Deliveries started on 1st August, when two helicopters (0005 and 0006) were handed over to Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht. The 100th EC135 was handed over to the Bavarian police force in June 1999. By that time the worldwide fleet had clocked up around 30,000 flight hours. As of 2008, the fleet total stood at over 1 million flight hours, with over 650 aircraft delivered.

Single-pilot IFR (SPIFR) certification was granted by the German LBA on December 2, 1999. Deliveries to the German Aviators Corps began on 13 September 2000 at the German Army Aviators School at (Bückeburg Air Base) near Achum. The EC135 received SPIFR certification from the UK CAA in December 2000.

In autumn 2000, Eurocopter announced the start of certification work for the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2, a version of the PW207 which offers improved single-engine performance and 30 second emergency power. The LBA certification was achieved on 10 July 2001, and the first EC135 with the new engines was handed over to the Swedish National Police on 10 August 2001.

The world fleet leader in aircraft hours for this type is G-NESV (s/n 0067). This aircraft was delivered to the North East Air Support Unit in April 1999 and on 29th March 2007 it clocked up its 9,000th hour.

At the NBAA in March 2007 in Atlanta, Eurocopter unveiled "‘L’Hélicoptère par Hermès", a special-edition VIP model designed by Hermès International, S.A.. This variant features a specially-created luxury four-place main cabin, a sliding glass partition, a corporate baggage hold, redesigned skid landing gear and other external changes. Launch customer for "‘L’Hélicoptère par Hermès" is Falcon Aviation Services (FAS), based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Variants

;EC135 P1 :Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B. Later versions have the Center Panel Display System (CPDS). Initial maximum take-off weight (M.T.O.W.) of 2,631 kg (5,800 lbs), later raised to 2,721 kg (6,000 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).;EC135 T1 :Powered by two 435 kW (583 shp) Turbomeca Arrius 2B1/2B1A/2B1A1. Later versions have the CPDS. Initial M.T.O.W. of 2,631 kg (5,800 lbs), later raised to 2,721 kg (6,000 lbs) and then 2,835 kg (6,250 lbs).;EC135 P2 :Powered by two 463 kW (621 shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 P1 in production in August 2001.;EC135 T2 :Powered by two 452 kW (652 shp) Turbomeca Arrius 2B2. Increased thermodynamic and mechanic OEI ratings (128% OEI torque). Replaced EC135 T1 in production in August 2002.;EC135 P2+ :Latest production version with 498 kW (667 shp) PW206B2 (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,910 kg (6,415 lbs) M.T.O.W. upgrade, extended component time between overhaul (TBOs), and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil. [http://www.caa.govt.nz/aircraft/Type_Acceptance_Reps/Eurocopter_EC_135.pdf] ;EC135 T2+ :Latest production version with 473 kW (634 shp) Arrius 2B2 engines (new power ratings based on a FADEC software upgrade), plus a 2,910 kg (6,415 lbs) M.T.O.W. upgrade, extended component TBOs, and a change in the main transmission lubricating oil.;EC135 P2i :Designation of aircraft upgraded to (rather than built to) EC135 P2+ standard.;EC135 T2i :Designation of aircraft upgraded to (rather than built to) EC135 T2+ standard.;EC 635 :Military variant operated by Jordan.

Operators

Main article: List of Eurocopter EC 135 operators

Notable accidents and incidents

* An LifeNet EC135 P2 operated by Air Methods Corporation crashed on 10th January 2005 after delivering a patient in Washington, D.C., killing the pilot and a paramedic whilst seriously injuring a nurse. The wreckage of the helicopter was recovered from the Potomac River. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded a probable cause of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) [ [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/01-11-2005/0002818654&EDATE= PR Newswire - Air Methods Corporation Confirms Fatal Accident In Virginia] ] [ [http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2007/AAB0704.htm NTSB report] ]

* An Air Methods Corporation EC135 T2+ crashed into a wooded hillside during a night flight on May 10th, 2008 near La Crosse, Wisconsin. The pilot along with a doctor and a nurse were killed. [ [http://www.ntsb.gov/NTSB/brief.asp?ev_id=20080520X00702&key=1 NTSB report] ]

pecifications (EC135 P2+/T2+)

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?= copter
jet or prop?= prop

ref={Eurocopter EC135 2008 Tech Data book}

crew=1 or 2 pilots
capacity= up to seven passengers or two crew and two patients (Air Ambulance variant)
length main= 12.16 m
length alt= 39 ft 11 in
span main= 10.20 m
span alt= 33 ft 6 in
height main= 3.51 m
height alt= 11 ft 6 in
area main= 81.7 m²
area alt= 880 ft²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 1,455 kg
empty weight alt= 3,208 lb
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
useful load main= 1,455 kg
useful load alt= 3,208 lb
max takeoff weight main= 2,910 kg
max takeoff weight alt= 6,415 lb
more general=

engine (prop)= Turbomeca Arrius 2B or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B
type of prop= turboshafts
number of props= 2
power main= 473 / 498 kW
power alt= 634 / 667 shp
power original=

max speed main=
max speed alt=
cruise speed main= 254 km/h
cruise speed alt= 137 knots, 158 mph
never exceed speed main= 259 km/h
never exceed speed alt= 140 knots, 161 mph
range main= 635 km
range alt= 342 nm, 393 mi
ceiling main= 3,045 m
ceiling alt= 10,000 ft
climb rate main= 7.62 m/s
climb rate alt= 1,500 ft/min
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=

armament=

avionics=

ee also

aircontent
related=
* Bölkow Bo 105
* Eurocopter EC 145
* Eurocopter EC 635
similar aircraft=
* Bell 427
* Bell 429
* MD Helicopters MD Explorer
* MBB/Kawasaki BK 117
* HAL Dhruv

sequence=

lists=
* List of helicopters

see also=

References

Reflisthttp://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/publications/bulletins/september_2003/corrigendum_023918.cfm

External links

* [http://www.eurocopter.com/site/FO/scripts/siteFO_contenu.php?lang=EN&noeu_id=37 Eurocopter - EC135]
* [http://www.eurocopter.com/site/FO/scripts/siteFO_contenu.php?lang=EN&noeu_id=10124 Eurocopter EC135 "‘L’Hélicoptère par Hermès’"]
* [http://www.rth.info/typen/typen.php?show=ec135 RTH.info - Eurocopter EC135] (in German)