The Aérospatiale SA 365 C3 Dauphin II is a twin-engined medium-weight transport helicopter; conventional configuration, with a
4-blade fully articulated main rotor and a ‘Fenestron’ type tail rotor, for up to 2 crew and 13 passengers. The SA 365 C3 model is
powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1C2 Turbine engines. The twin-engine SA 365 was developed in 1973 by SNIAS
(Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale) based on the single-engine SA 360 Dauphin, a commercially unsuccessful single-engine helicopter.
The SA 365 prototype F-WVKE, the SA 360 prototype fitted with 2 Turbomeca Arriel 1A Turboshafts, flew first on 24 January 1975. In 1977
production commenced with the initial production variant under the original designation SA 365 C, with deliveries starting in 1978.
French certification of this model was received in July 1978, with US FAA and British CAA certification following later that year.
Custon deliveries of the SA 365 C Dauphin II began in December 1978. The SA 365 C featured two 630 shp Arriel 1 turboshaft engines;
a Starflex main rotor hub and 3,400 kg as maximum take-off weight. Its Fenestron anti-torque device featured 13 metal blades.
On 26 March 1979, the SA 365 C1 powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1A1 engines
recieved the Type Certificate by DGAC FR; on 18 February 1980 followed by the SA 365 C2, powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1A2 engines;
and on 14 January 1982 followed by the SA 365 C3 powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1C engines. An improved version of the SA 365 C
Dauphin II, the SA 365 N flew first on 31 March 1979. The SA 365 N differs from the SA 365 C in having Arriel 1C turbine engines, a
re-profiled fuselage, fully retractable undercarriage and increased fuel capacity in new under-floor tankage.
Deliveries of the production model began in 1982. Deliveries of the AS 365 N2, equipped with two Turboméca
Arriel 1C2 turboshafts, started in 1990. From 1984, SNIAS operated under the name of Aérospatiale.
The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aerospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter
Group. A new Eurocopter designation was added: EC155 B1, originally known as the AS 365 N4. The Dauphin II is in use
in several military and civilian roles. The AS 565 Panther is the military version of the Dauphin. The AS 366 G1,
powered by two Textron-Lycoming LTS.101-750B-2 turboshafts, is used by the United States Coast Guard under the
designation HH-65A Dolphin. The Dauphin II is manufactured under licence in China as the Harbin Z-9 Haitung and in
Brasil as the Helibras MH-1. Production ended in 2021 with more than 1100 AS365 N versions built: the last AS365 N3 was
delivered on 24 January 2022. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Aérospatiale SA 365 C3 Dauphin II is S65C
On 18 September 2009, Aérospatiale SA 365 C3 Dauphin II D-HNHC was seen at Flugplatz Emden (EDWE) in service with NHC - Northern Helicopter.
the life
cycle of the airframe is, as far as it could be determined, recorded in detail in the table below:
date
registration
details
1978
constructed as SA 365 C s/n 5017 by Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale in Marignane, France
1978
N5795A
registration N5795A was alloted but not taken up
1978
F-WTNW
the airframe was converted to the SA 365 C2 model and testflown as F-WTNW in August 1978
August 1978
F-GBGV
registration F-GBGV reserved by Héli-Union, Paris, but not taken up
9 March 1979
F-ODJL
registered F-ODJL with Locafrance International Leasing as owner and operated by Héli-Union S.A. in Argentina
14 March 1985
F-ODJL
SA Héli-Union Investissements registered as owner
1987
F-GFIA
registration F-GFIA was reserved but not taken up
27 October 1987
LV-AID
registration F-ODJL was cancelled on 27 October 1987 and the helicopter was registered LV-AID in Argentina with Helicópteros Marinos, Buenos Aires, a group Héli-Union company
30 April 1992
F-GHXF
on 30 April 1992, registered F-GHXF in France with SA Héli-Union Investissements
14 December 1992
F-GHXF
on 14 December 1992, SA 365 C2 F-GHXF was registered with Compagnie Nationale De Navigation (CNN)
21 February 1995
F-GHXF
on 21 February 1995, SA 365 C2 F-GHXF was registered with GE Capital Equipment Finance
12 November 1997
F-GHXF
on 12 November 1997, SA 365 C2 F-GHXF was registered with Compagnie Nationale De Navigation (CNN)
13 January 1998
F-GHXF
registered with Héli-Union SA, Paris, and converted to the SA 365 C3 model
28 August 1998
F-GHXF
as SA 365 C3 model back in service with with Héli-Union SA, Paris
4 April 2002
F-GHXF
registration F-GHXF was cancelled on 4 April 2002 as exported to Spain
3 June 2002
EC-IEL
registered as EC-IEL by Helicsa Helicópteros and operated as an ambulance helicopter
2005
EC-IEL
in 2005, SA 365 C3 EC-IEL was leased to Helisureste Helicópteros del Sureste, S.A.
2009
EC-IEL
in 2009, the SA 365 C3 was sold in Germany to OLT, Emden
30 June 2009
D-HNHC
on 30 June 2009, registered D-HNHC with NHC - Northern HeliCopter GmbH, Emden
2009
D-HNHC
in August 2009, the aircraft was seen first with large OLT tail-markings, then in September with small NHC tail-markings and finally with large NHC tail-markings
2009-2012
D-HNHC
Dauphin II D-HNHC used call sign "Rettungsdienst Emden 14-81" when on duty as rescue helicopter, until it was replaced as rescue helicopter by Eurocopter AS365 N2 Dauphin II D-HOAR
17 July 2021
D-HNHC
after being withdrawn from use at Emden Airport in 2020, registration D-HNHC was cancelled on 22 July 2021
