F-GRAC Aérospatiale AS350 B2 Ecureuil c/n 1652 - HdF-Hélicoptères de France - Rotterdam The Hague Airport in Holland - 2 July 2010

The Eurocopter AS350 B2 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 27/06/1994. The second prototype was fitted with an Arriel 1A and took to the air on 14/02/1975. 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.

Aérospatiale AS350 B2 Ecureuil c/n 1652 was built in 1982 as an AS350B. In November 1982, the Ecureuil was registered ZK-HST in South Africa with Helicopter Specialities. Already in 1982, the ZK-HST was transferred to Paul Cant / Olympic Airways and registered in Greece as SX-HBP. In service with Olympic Airways, the aircraft was modified in to an AS350 BA. After being withdrawn from use with Olympic Airways, the SX-HBP was dismanteld and the airframe returned to France. The aircraft was rebuilt as an AS350 B2 and registration F-GPUM was reserved in 1995. On 26 July 1995, the rebuilt AS350 B2 entered the French register as F-GRAC with Cie Financière de Crédit Bail as registered owner. Ecureuil F-GRAC entered service with Hélico de France. On 3 January 2001, the F-GRAC was registered with Loc Heli SARL, Tallard, and is operated since by HdF – Hélicoptères de France, Tallard. Ecureuil F-GRAC was seen at Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands when used as a relay station on behalve of france télévisions during Tour de France on 2 July 2010.

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