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Aérospatiale AS350 B
D-HFJS F-GXPE
PH-PLA PH-PLB
Airbus Helicopters AS355
F-GMBA F-GMBL
G-HEAN OK-WIQ
OO-HSN PH-HHC
PH-HHJ PH-HHJ
PH-HVH PH-HVH
F-GTVE SNIAS AS355 F2 Ecureuil II c/n 5378 - Arkata Aviation 'le Tour de france VIP 5' - Rotterdam The Hague Airport in Holland - 4 July 2010 Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM)

The Airbus Helicopters 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 Aérospatiale 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 ICAO Aircraft Type Designator with Wake Category used to classify aircraft types for the AS355 helicopters is AS55.

The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aérospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. As a result of the merger between the Eurocopter parents Aérospatiale-Matra; DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) and Construcciones Aeronàuticas Sociedad Anonima (CASA) in July 2000, the Eurocopter group became a division of the new formed EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space company). Taking off into 2014, EADS was rebranded as "Airbus Group". Uniting all its activities under a single brand, its helicopter division Eurocopter was rebranded as Airbus Helicopters on 8 January 2014.

In November 1988, the 1988-built SNIAS AS355 F2 Ecureuil 2 s/n 5378 was test flown as F-WYMT. In December 1988, the helicopter was registered DQ-FGH with Republic of Fiji H/c Unit. On 29 December 1997, the aircraft was registered F-GTVE with Commerc'Air. Commerc'Air merged in to Groupe Hélicoptères de France, Tallard. On 23 July 1999, CitiCapitale was registered as owner. The Ecureuil 2 entered service with Trans Helicoptère Service at Lyon-Bron Aeroport. On 15 September 2009, the F-GTVE was registered with Arkata Aviation, Gzira GRZ, Malta. On 4 July 2010, Ecureuil II F-GTVE was seen at Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands as "VIP 5" when used as VIP transport during Tour de France 2010.

page last updated: 17-01-2014
Photo Copyright © Henk Wadman, Schiedam, the Netherlands
 

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