F-GXPE Eurocopter AS350 B2 Ecureuil c/n 9031 - HdF-Hélicoptères de France - Rotterdam The Hague Airport in Holland - 4 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.

On 19 February 2001, the 2001-built Eurocopter AS350 B2 Ecureuil c/n 9031 was leased by Loc Heli SARL, Tallard, and is operated since by HdF – Hélicoptères de France, Tallard. On 16 March 2001, the aircraft was registered F-GXPE with SA ProCredit-Probail, and SanPaolo Bail as owners. Ecureuil F-GXPE was operated first in the colours of Héli Union France, one of the founding companies of Hélicoptères de France. On 17 April 2007, registered ownership changed to  Loc Heli SARL, Tallard. On 4 July 2010, Ecureuil F-GXPE 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 2010.

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