C-FXGO SNIAS AS355 FX2 Twin Star c/n 5473 - Heli Ontario - heliport Emmen in Holland - 29 April 2010

The Eurocopter AS355 is a twin-engined light utility helicopter that can accommodate up to 7 passengers. Development of the Ecureuil started in the early 70s under the Aérospatiale banner with the single-engined AS 350. The first flight of an Aerospatiale AS-350 took place on 27 June 1994. A twin-engine version of the AS350, the AS355 Ecureuil 2 flew first on 28 September 1979. The Eucureuil 2 entered production as the AS355 E. Early 1982, the AS355 F with a higher max takeoff weight replaced the AS-355E in production. The AS355 F was followed by the AS355 F1 in January 1984 and AS355 F2 in December 1985. The AS355 N recieved the DCAG-F certification on 13 June 1989 and deliveries of this model started in 1992. The AS355 N is fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A engines and a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system for better M.T.O.W and better single engine performance. The AS355 NP Ecureuil recieved the EASA certification on 15 February 2007. The AS355 NP Ecureuil 2 is fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A1 turboshaft engines and a new AS350 B3-based main gearbox, increasing maximum take-off weight to 2,800 kg (6,173 lb). The AS355 Ecureuil 2 is marketed in North America as the 'TwinStar'. The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aérospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group.

In May 1991, the 1991-built SNIAS AS355 F2 Ecureuil 2 c/n 5473 was registered N355AH with American Helicopter Corp. The N355AH was transfered to Tex-Air Helicopters Inc. ERA Aviation and Tex-Air Helicopters merged by 2005-03-31. Registration N355AH was cancelled on 19 January 2007. At that time, Wells Fargo Bank Northwest Trustee was the registered owner. Registration N300LG was reserved in the USA but not taken up. On 16 March 2007, the Twin Star was registered C-FXGO in Canada with Heli-Lynx Helicopter Services Inc., Stoney Creek, Ontario. Heli-Lynx converted the aircraft in to an AS355 FX2. Part of the conversion in to an AS355 FX2 is a simplified electrical system, which makes it easier to fix and also more robust, Honeywell LTS 101 700D-2 turbo shaft engines and an engine inlet barrier filter (IBF) system. On 28 April 2008, the AS355 FX2 was transferred to Heli Ontario Inc, St. Catharines, Ontario. The C-FXGO is based at Katowice in Poland. The C-FXGO was seen at the Heli-Holland heliport near Emmen in the Netherlands on 29 April 2010.

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