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Airbus Helicopters AS355
C-FXGO F-GMBA
F-GMBL F-GTVE
G-HEAN OK-WIQ
OO-HSN PH-HHC
PH-HHJ PH-HHJ
PH-HVH PH-HVH
Schweizer 269D/330/333
SP-SSH SP-SSI
SP-SSN Airbus Helicopters / Heli-Lynx 355FX2R c/n 5473 - heliport Emmen in Holland - 11 May 2015 helicopters in Emmen

The Airbus Helicopters 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 Aérospatiale 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 ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the AS355 helicopters is AS55.

The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aérospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. 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.

The in February 1991-built Aérospatiale AS355 F2 Twin Star s/n 5473 was registered N355AH with American Helicopter Corp., in May 1991. The N355AH was transfered to Tex-Air Helicopters Inc. ERA Aviation and Tex-Air Helicopters merged by 31 March 2005. Registration N355AH was cancelled on 19 January 2007. At that time, Wells Fargo Bank Northwest Trustee was the registered owner. Registration N300LG was reserved in the USA but not taken up. On 16 March 2007, the AS355 F2 Twin Star was registered C-FXGO in Canada with Heli-Lynx Helicopter Services Inc., Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada. Heli-Lynx Helicopter Services Inc. converted the aircraft into an 355FX2R and the aircraft was delivered as an Heli-Lynx 355FX2R in February 2008. Part of the conversion into an Heli-Lynx 355FX2R is a simplified electrical system, which makes it easier to fix and also more robust, Honeywell LTS 101 700D-2 turbo shaft engines and an engine inlet barrier filter (IBF) system. On 28 April 2008, the Heli-Lynx 355FX2R was transferred to Heli Ontario Inc., St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Heli-Lynx 355FX2R C-FXGO was exported to Poland and based at Katowice. On 23 November 2012, registration C-FXGO was cancelled as exported to Poland and the helicopter was registered SP-SSN.
On 11 May 2015, the Heli-Lynx 355FX2R SP-SSN was seen at the Heli-Holland heliport near Emmen in the Netherlands.

page last updated: 12-05-2015
Copyright © Jack Wolbrink, Emmen, the Netherlands
 

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