D-HFAX Aérospatiale AS350 B2 Ecureuil c/n 2585 - FJS-Helicopter Lufttransport GmbH - Bunde in Germany - 6 September 2009

The Eurocopter AS350 B2 is a single-engined utility helicopter that can accommodate up to 7 passengers. Development of the AS350 Ecureuil started in the early 1970s 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 AS 350 is marketed in North America as the AStar or SuperStar. The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aerospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group.

FJS-Helicopter Lufttransport GmbH was founded in 1993. Next to their homebase Flugplatz Damme in Niedersachsen, Germanby, FJS-Helicopters Lufttransport has operational bases at Schwerin-Pinnow and Neubrandenburg-Trollenhagen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The 1993-built Aérospatiale AS350 B2 Ecureuil s/n 2585 was test flown as F-WYMG. On 23 March 1993, the aircraft was registered HB-XZJ in Switzerland with ALAG, Mollis. On 16 June 1997, Heli Bernina was registered as operator with ALAF as before as owner. On 9 November 1999, registration HB-XZJ was cancelled and on 10 December 1999, the helicopter was registered D-HFAX in Germany with FJS-Helicopter Lufttransport GmbH, Damme. Due to engine problems during lifting operation over VW car factory in Hannover, Ecureuil D-HFAX made an emergency landing on factory roof on 8 September 2011. The Ecureuil had damage to boom and blades, but the frame was looking intact.

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