The Airbus Helicopters EC135 / H135 is a lightweight five/seven seat twin-turbine-engine multi-role helicopter with a radius of 720 km.
The EC135 is offered with either Safran Helicopter Engines (former: Turbomeca) Arrius 2B2 or Pratt & Whitney 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 Aérospatiale 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 in series
production in 1996 at Donauwörth. On 14 June 1996, the German certification was granted by the LBA and the first customer delivery
followed on 31 July that year. Next to the EC135 a special military version was developed designated the Eurocopter EC635. The
EC635 has a structural reinforcement of cabin structure and can be equipped with wire-guided, laser-guided, autonomous missiles. Over
1400 EC135 / H135 / H135M airframes have been delivered since the helicopter entered service in 1996. In March 2015, Airbus Helicopters
renamed its entire product line to better reflect its closer allignment with ist parent company and simplify the naming convention for
the portfolio. Therefore, the EC135 T3/P3 were renamed as “H135” as stated in revison No.EASA.R.009 Issue: 07 of the Type Certificate
Data Sheet for EC135 dated 18 March 2015. “H135M” is used as marketing designation for the military EC635 P3(CPDS); EC635 P3H; EC635 T3(CPDS)
and EC635 T3H helicopters. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the EC135 / H135 helicopter is EC35
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 1999-built Eurocopter EC135 P1 c/n 0057 was test-flown with Eurocopter Germany test-registration D-HECG. In July
1999, the helicopter was reregistered D-HBYA. Eurocopter EC135 P1 D-HBYA was registered by Hubschrauberstaffel
(Polizei Bayern, München/Franz Josef Strauß Int'l Airport) as operator and Bayerische Staatsministerium des Innem as
owner. In service with the Polizei Bayern (Bavarian Police Force), the helicopter used call-sign "Edelweiss 1". In
September 2002, the EC135 P1 was modified by Eurocopter Germany to the EC135 P2 standard. In August 2009, the Bayern
Police EC135s, including EC135 P2 D-HBYA, were offered for sale as they would be replaced by new EC135 P2+ helicopters
in 2010. On 23 July 2010, EC135 P2 D-HBYA was transfered to ADAC Luftrettung GmbH. EC135 P2 D-HBYA was flown to
Flugplatz Bonn-Hangelar and stored. In November 2010, refurbishment and repaint at the ALT maintenance facilities at
Flugplatz Bonn-Hangelar started and the helicopter was modified to the RTH standard and during the major overhaul fitted
with the new Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF). In May 2011, EC135 P2 D-HBYA entered service with ADAC Luftrettung, first as
"Christoph 15" stationed at ADAC Luftrettungsstation Straubing/Klinikum St. Elisabeth Heliport. Since May 2012,
Eurocopter EC135 P2 D-HBYA was operated as "Christoph 33" stationed at ADAC Luftrettungsstation Senftenberg. In
October 2013, EC135 P2 D-HBYA flew to Bonn-Hangelar for repaint into the new ADAC colors; maintenance and modification
by ALT to the EC135 P2+ standard. In April 2014, EC135 P2+ D-HBYA returned in service as "Christoph 33". Since 2018, ADAC
operated EC135 P2+ D-HBYA on several stations, like "Christoph 1T; 32; 39 and 70" and Flying Intervent. On 23
April 2026, ADAC Luftrettung' Eurocopter EC135 P2+ D-HBYA was seen stored at Flugplatz Bonn.Hangelaar (EDKB).
