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The Eurocopter EC135 is a lightweight five/seven seat twin-turbine-engine multi-role helicopter with a radius of 720 km.
The EC135 is offered with either Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 or Pratt and Whitney Canada PW206B2 engines. Development
of the Eurocopter EC135 started in the 80s as the MBB Bo.108 Advanced Technology Helicopter. The prototype BO108
with conventional tail rotor flew first on 15 October 1988. When the helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany
and Aerospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group, the Bo108 program was transferred
as well. An advanced low noise ducted 10-blade Fenestron tail rotor was, next to other modifications, incorporated
into the design and the name of the helicopter was changed into Eurocopter EC135. The prototype of the EC135
(D-HBOX s/n S-01) flew first on 15 February 1994 and went into series production at Donauwörth in 1996. After
German certification was granted on 14 June 1996, was the first customer delivery on 31 July that year. Over
900 have been delivered since the EC135 helicopter entered service in 1996 with the German rescue company DRF - Deutsche
Rettungsflugwacht e.V. |
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Eurocopter EC135 T2 PH-EMS "Lifeliner 1" was photographed at Heliport Amsterdam.
The MMT (Mobil Medical Team) "Lifeliner 1" base is at the helideck of the VUmc - VU
medisch centrum in Amsterdam. The 2004-built Eurocopter EC-135T2 c/n 0374 was registered PH-EMS in the Netherlands with Medical Air Assistance BV on 3 December 2004.
On 3 February 2005, the PH-EMS was registered with ANWB Medical Air Assistance. The four EMS-helicopters in the Netherlands are:
"Lifeliner 1" in Amsterdam,
"Lifeliner 2" in Rotterdam;
"Lifeliner 3" at Volkel AFB near Nijmegen
and "Lifeliner Europe 4"
in Groningen. In January 2005, Eurocopter EC135 T2 helicopters
replaced the MBB Bo-105 and the MDHI MD-900 helicopters in service with
the MMTs in the Netherlands. The PH-EMS replaced the BO-105CBS-4 PH-KHD
that was operated before as "Lifeliner 1". After being withdrawn from
use the MBB Bo-105CBS-4 PH-KHD was stored at Bonn-Hangelar in Germany
early 2005. On 9 May 2006, the PH‑KHD was transported to the Aviodrome in
Lelystad, where this helicopter is on static display.
ANWB Medical Air Assistance operates, next to the four lifeliner helicopters, Eurocopter EC135 T2+
PH-HVB and
PH-MAA
for crew training and as a spare aircraft for maintenance cover of the
lifeliners. When needed for maintenance, ADAC Luftrettung gives the MAA
back-up service with EC135 P2
D-HHIT and/or
D-HHTS.
With six helicopters, the MAA is ready for the 24-hours operation in
2011. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
