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The Aérospatiale AS350 B 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 June 1994.
The second prototype was fitted with an Arriel 1A and took to the air on
14 February 1975. Certification (with a Turboméca Arriel 1B turboshaft
powerplant) was achieved on 27 October 1977. The single-engined AS 350B2,
powered with a Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine was certified in April 1989.
The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aerospatiale from
France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. The
Eurocopter AS350 B3 is a high-performance version of the AS350 series, powered by a Arriel
2B engine equipped with a single channel (DECU) Digital Engine Control
Unit with a mechanical backup system. The AS350 B3, made its first
flight from Marignane on 4 March 1997. Latest upgrade of the AS350 is
the AS350 B3e (enhanced) version that is fitted with a Turboméca Arriel
2D engine. The AS350 B3e model was approved by the EASA on 17 June 2011
and has next to the new engine, a new interior design, tail rotor
improvements and optimised optional equipment. The new console
panel’s concept “Multibloc” is installed since aircraft S/N 7218. The
AS350 B3e has an upgraded MTOW of 2370 kg when dual hydraulic. Over 5200
AS350 models had been delivered worldwide. The AS 350 is marketed as
Ecureuil. The AS350 Ecurieul is also known Squirrel and is marketed as
Esquilo in Brazil and AStar in the USA. In the USA, the AS350 is also known
as SuperStar. Since March 2015, Airbus Helicopters uses “H125” as marketing
designation for the AS350 B3e helicopter.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator with Wake Category used
to classify aircraft types for the AS350 / H125 helicopters is AS50. |
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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. |
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In Augustus 1984, Aérospatiale AS350 B Ecureuil s/n 1788 was registered D-HAFU in Germany with Agrarflug-Helilift in Ahlen. In 1996, Ecureuil D-HAFU was leased
to FJS-Helicopter Lufttransport, Damme Airfield. In the period 1998-1999 Agrarflug Helilift operated the helicopter on behalf of the United Nations as UN-076 in
Afganistan. During the month of June 2001, the D-HAFU was leased to Heliavia. In the period 2003-2005, Agrarflug Helilift operated the helicopter on behalf of Heliaction S.L. -
Adventure Flight at Tenerife Sur/Reina Sofia Airport, Spain. In 2008, the AS350 B2 Ecureuil was leased once again in Spain, this time to Coyot Air at Sabadell. In 2009,
Helitransair leased the tiger-coloured helicopter from Agrarflug Helilift. In 2015, the helicopter was painted blue during major maintenance pending sale to Austria. On
12 September 2016, registration D-HAFU was cancelled and the helicopter was withdrawn from use at Ahlen/Nord Heliport. On 28 September 2016, registration D-HAFU
was reserved again for the Aerospatiale AS350 B Ecureuil by Agrarflug Helilift but the reservation was ntu. In April 2022, the helicopter was registered OE-XRA
in Austria with Heli Pro Helicopter service, Liezen, as an Airbus Helicopters AS 350 B.
On 26 May 1996, the Agrarflug Helilift' Aérospatiale AS350 B Ecureuil D-HAFU
was seen at Flugplatz Damme (EDWC). In that period the 1985-built helicopter was leased to FJS-Helicopter Lufttransport, Damme. |
, Damme
