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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. |
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The 1986-built
SNIAS AS355 F2 Ecureuil 2 c/n 5358 was
registered YV-0-KWH-6 with CADAFE (Compañía Anónima de Administración y
Fomento Eléctrico (Venezuela state electricity company). Registration N75EC
was reserved in the
USA, but not taken up and the aircraft returned to France. In France it was converted by
Eurocopter in to an AS355 N and test flown as F-WQEJ. On 30 June 1999,
the AS355 N Ecureuil 2 was registered F-GMBL with Loc Heli SARL,
Tallard, as operator and SA Sanpaolo Bail, Paris, as owner. The same
day, ownership changed to SA ProCredit-Probail, and on 16 February 2000,
the F-GMBL was registered with HdF – Hélicoptères de France, Tallard, as owner.
On 7 February 2001, ownership changed to CitiCapitale and on 17 April 2007
to Loc Heli SARL, Tallard.
However the ownership changed over the years, the F-GMBL is
operated by HdF – Hélicoptères de France, Tallard, ever after 30 June
1999. On 2 July 2010, Ecureuil II F-GMBL
was seen at Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands when used as camera-ship on behalve of france télévisions during Tour de
France 2010. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
