Airbus Helicopters
H130 / EC-130
Ecureil

Photo: Robert Deering 10/6/2008
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, Florida
The Eurocopter EC130 (Airbus Helicopters H130) is a single engine light helicopter developed from the AS350 Ecureuil airframe. Eurocopter have called the EC130 "the Alouette III successor".

The EC130 is a wide body variant of the AS350 B3, and was first flown on 24 June 1999. The EC130 features an enclosed tail fan rather than the traditional tail rotor found on the older AS350. This Fenestron has unevenly spaced blades which has the advantage of reducing outside noise by 50% compared to a tail rotor, resulting in an FAA Appendix H fly-over noise signature of 84.3 EPNdB, 8.5 dB below stage two limits. The EC130 was designed in close cooperation with tour operators with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters being the launch operator, and features a spacious cockpit with excellent external visibility, capable of accommodating seven tourists. The EC130 entered service with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in 2001, and is now a common sight in Hawaii and the Grand Canyon.

The EC130 is also quickly becoming popular within the air medical services (AMS) community, due to its large cabin (capable of accommodating one or two stretchers), wide side door and enclosed Fenestron anti-torque device.

In 2012, Eurocopter received orders for 50 EC130T2 from Maverick Helicopters, and other customers such as Papillon and Blue Hawaiian took the total to 105.

SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Rotor Span:  10.69 m (35 ft 1in) Maximum speed:  287 km/h (155 knots, 178 mph)
Length:  10.68 m (35 ft) Cruising speed:  240 km/h (130 knots, 150 mph)
Height:  3.34 m (10 ft 11 in) Range:  610 km (329 nm, 378 mi)
Empty Weight:  1,377 kg (3,036 lbs) Service ceiling:  4,770 m (15,655 ft)
Gross Weight:  2,427 kg (5,351 lbs)  
Crew:  Pilot and up to 6 passengers
Engines:  1 × Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 turboshaft, 632 kW (847 shp)
   
SOURCE:  Wikipedia