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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 in 1996 at Donauwörth. 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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On 25 March 2010, Eurocopter EC135 P2+ PH-MMT "Lifeliner Europe 4" was
photographed at Groningen Airport Eelde, the Netherlands. MMT (Mobil
Medical Team) "Lifeliner Europe 4" is stationed at the helideck on the
roof of the UMCG in Groningen. Eurocopter EC135 P2+ c/n 0871 was test
flown with Eurocopter Deutschland registration D-HCBN. On 25 February
2010, the EC135 P2+ was registered PH-MMT in the Netherlands with ANWB
Medical Air Assistance, Utrecht, as holder. The 2010-built Eurocopter
EC135 P2+ PH-MMT is fitted with the new Inlet Barrier Filter. During the
“Open Dag van de Zorg” on 20 March 2010, ANWB Medical Air Assistance’
Eurocopter EC135P2+ PH-MMT was presented as the new "Lifeliner Europe 4"
at the UMCG in Groningen. The PH-MMT replaced EC135P2
D-HSAN in service
as "Lifeliner Europe 4". After the D-HSAN was returned to ADAC
Luftrettung GmbH on 31 December 2009, Eurocopter EC135T2+ PH-HVB was
used as a temporarily replacement. The PH-MMT entered service as
“Lifeliner Europe 4” on 21 March 2010.
Eurocopter EC135 P2+ PH-MMT
is one of six EMS-helicopters operated by ANWB
Medical Air Assistance. The 4 lifeliner 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.
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
