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.
Eurocopter France used registration F-WWPD for the 2007-built Eurocopter AS355 NP c/n 5747.
On 30 July 2007, the aircraft was registered SE-JJR in Sweden with Brookview Developments Ltd., Maghera, Ireland, as registered owner.
Registration SE-JJR was cancelled on 28 August 2007, and the next day the helicopter was registered G-HEAN in the UK with Brookview
Developments Ltd., Maghera, Ireland. In March 2011, the registered owner name was changed to DAB Developments Ltd.
The emergency float system equipped AS355 NP Ecureuil II G-HEAN visited Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands on 19 June 2008.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
