The EC 135: A Worldwide Success
FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW 2002
Farnborough, 22 July 2002
The EC 135 light twin was the first civil helicopter to be developed by the Franco-German Eurocopter Group after its establishment in 1992. Deliveries commenced in mid-1996.
The many technological innovations of the EC 135 include the bearingless main rotor, whose heavy-duty construction with composite materials make possible "on condition" maintenance. This feature means savings in both time and money for the customer.
The shrouded Fenestron tail rotor offers more than just increased passive and active safety. It also significantly reduces the aircraft's noise level, due to its design and its asymmetric blades.
Official measurements have shown that the EC 135 is the quietest helicopter in its class. It is approximately 7 dB below the requirements of the International Civil Aircraft Organization standards. This level represents a noise decrease of about 50 percent.
A great deal of the helicopter's components are manufactured using carbon-fiber composites. This design reduces maintenance costs and the attrition rate for the entire aircraft, and also offers a significant weight advantage. The EC 135 is equipped with modern engines that emit lower amounts of pollutants, making the machine environmentally friendly.
The EC 135 was first commercialized on the market in 1996. The technological advances illustrated by the machine resulted in Eurocopter being honored that same year with the "Flight Aerospace Industry Award" for the most innovative helicopter.
The EC 135 quickly proved to be a bestseller. Some 270 EC 135 helicopters have been sold to date to about 50 customers in 25 countries, proving that the machine's quality standards have been recognized on an international level.
Sales of the EC 135 shot up so quickly that Donauwörth and the equipment suppliers had to rapidly adapt their production capacities to the new output rate of 50 helicopters per year in order to fill the orders. The fleet in service is currently made up of almost 230 machines, which have already logged 180,000 flight hours.
The technological maturity of the EC 135 has now been proven; the helicopter's special new equipment, which has expanded its mission range, has been certified by the international aviation authorities.
Since it has been launched on the market, the EC 135 has received other technical improvements, and important options have been approved for the helicopter. The maximum takeoff weight has increased by more than 200 kg, and high-skid landing gear has also been approved. What's more, many options are available that have been certified as well: thermal imaging cameras, searchlights, rescue hoists, and EMS kits. High-quality air conditioning systems and VIP interior finishing to optimize cabin comfort are also available.
The EC 135 is particularly appreciated for its law enforcement and rescue missions, in which its constant availability is an important factor. Law enforcement agencies in more than a dozen countries worldwide operate the EC 135.
The Bundeswehr - the German Army - has chosen the EC 135 for basic pilot training. Amongst its many qualities, the determining factor was the availability of the "New Avionics" digital cockpit system, since the new Tiger and NH90 military helicopters are also equipped with this same type of cockpit.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). With revenues amounting to 30.8 billion Euro and a workforce of 100,000, EADS is the largest European aerospace company and No. 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services.
For more detailed information, please contact:
Jean-Louis ESPES
Tel: +33(0) 4 42 85 95 55
Fax: +33(0) 4 42 85 95 64
Eurocopter
Aéroport International Marseille Provence
13725 Marignane Cedex - France -
Christina GOTZHEIN
Tel: +49(0) 89 60 00 64 88
Fax: +49(0) 89 60 00 44 37
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
D-81663 Munich - Germany
Chantal LINARES
Tel: +33(0) 4 42 85 60 51
Fax: +33(0) 4 42 85 95 64
Eurocopter
Aéroport International Marseille Provence
13725 Marignane Cedex - France
Christoph MÜLLER
Tel: +49(0) 906 71 45 65
Fax: +49(0) 906 71 46 74
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
D-86607 Donauwörth - Germany
Web Site: www.eurocopter.com
