The Eurocopter AS350 B3 is a single-engined utility helicopter that can
accommodate up to 7 passengers. Development of the AS 350 Ecureuil
started in the early 70s under the Aérospatiale banner. The first flight
of an AvcoLycoming LTS101-powered machine took place on 27 June 1994.
The second prototype was fitted with an Arriel 1A and took to the air on
14 February 1975. Certification (with a Turboméca Arriel 1B turboshaft
powerplant) was achieved in October 1977. The single-engined AS 350B2,
powered with a Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine was certified in April 1989.
The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aerospatiale from
France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. The
Eurocopter AS350 B3 is a high-performance version of the AS350 series, powered by a Arriel
2B engine equipped with a single channel (DECU) Digital Engine Control
Unit with a mechanical backup system. The AS350 B3, made its first
flight from Marignane on 4 March 1997. The AS 350 is marketed in North
America as AStar or SuperStar. The AS350 Ecurieul is also known
Squirrel.
In June 2009, Eurocopter AS350 B3 Ecureuil c/n 4784 was flown first with Eurocopter France test registration F-WWXR.
The 2009-built AS350 B3 was registered CS-HHC with Helibravo Aviação Lda., Aerodrome Municipal de Cascais in Portugal on 3 July 2009.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
