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The EC120 B is mostly built from [[composite materials]] and has a [[fenestron]] (shrouded) tail rotor, making it a particularly quiet helicopter (FAA Appendix J flyover noise signature = 78.7 dB SEL, 6.7 dB SEL below Stage 2 limits). Certified to FAR 27 standards, the EC120 B also features crash-resistant seats and a crash-resistant fuel system.
The EC120 B is mostly built from [[composite materials]] and has a [[fenestron]] (shrouded) tail rotor, making it a particularly quiet helicopter (FAA Appendix J flyover noise signature = 78.7 dB SEL, 6.7 dB SEL below Stage 2 limits). Certified to FAR 27 standards, the EC120 B also features crash-resistant seats and a crash-resistant fuel system.


The design of the Colibri's wide cabin (featuring excellent visibility) makes it suitable for wide variety of civilian and parapublic missions, such as utility transport, offshore transport, training, law enforcement, [[Air Ambulance|casualty evacuation]] and corporate transport. In the casualty evacuation role, the helicopter can carry one pilot and one stretcher patient as well as one or two medical attendants. For cargo carrying, the Colibri can carry one pilot plus 2.94 cubic meters (103.9 sq. ft.) of total useful load volume (cabin and hold). The EC120's 0.8 cubic meter (28.3 sq. ft.) hold is accessible from the side and rear.
The design of the Colibri's wide cabin (featuring excellent visibility) makes it suitable for wide variety of civilian and parapublic missions, such as utility transport, offshore transport, training, law enforcement, [[Air Ambulance|casualty evacuation]] and corporate transport. In the casualty evacuation role, the helicopter can carry one pilot and one stretcher patient as well as one or two medical attendants. For cargo carrying, the Colibri can carry one pilot plus 2.94 cubic meters (103.9 cu. ft.) of total useful load volume (cabin and hold). The EC120's 0.8 cubic meter (28.3 cu. ft.) hold is accessible from the side and rear.


In addition to its civilian roles, the Colibri is also used by the military for training, observation and light utility missions. In the latter role, it can carry a sling load cargo of up to 700 kg (1,543 lb).
In addition to its civilian roles, the Colibri is also used by the military for training, observation and light utility missions. In the latter role, it can carry a sling load cargo of up to 700 kg (1,543 lb).

Revision as of 07:48, 1 August 2008

Template:Infobox Aircraft

Privately operated Russian EC120
Spanish National Police EC120

The Eurocopter EC 120 Colibri (French Hummingbird) is a 5-seat, single-engine, single main rotor, light helicopter. Jointly designed and developed by Eurocopter, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), Harbin Aviation Industries (Group) Ltd (HAI) and Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (STAero) at Eurocopter France's Marignane facility, the EC120 B is assembled by Eurocopter in France and Australia.[1] In China, the aircraft is produced by Harbin as the HC120.[2]

Eurocopter has a 61% interest in the project, with CATIC owning 24% and STAero with 15% share.[3].

Development

The EC120 B is mostly built from composite materials and has a fenestron (shrouded) tail rotor, making it a particularly quiet helicopter (FAA Appendix J flyover noise signature = 78.7 dB SEL, 6.7 dB SEL below Stage 2 limits). Certified to FAR 27 standards, the EC120 B also features crash-resistant seats and a crash-resistant fuel system.

The design of the Colibri's wide cabin (featuring excellent visibility) makes it suitable for wide variety of civilian and parapublic missions, such as utility transport, offshore transport, training, law enforcement, casualty evacuation and corporate transport. In the casualty evacuation role, the helicopter can carry one pilot and one stretcher patient as well as one or two medical attendants. For cargo carrying, the Colibri can carry one pilot plus 2.94 cubic meters (103.9 cu. ft.) of total useful load volume (cabin and hold). The EC120's 0.8 cubic meter (28.3 cu. ft.) hold is accessible from the side and rear.

In addition to its civilian roles, the Colibri is also used by the military for training, observation and light utility missions. In the latter role, it can carry a sling load cargo of up to 700 kg (1,543 lb).

The EC120 B is an ideal law enforcement helicopter. Due to its light weight and powerful Arrius 2F engine, it is able to carry equipment such as FLIR cameras, spotlights and other useful tools. Some law enforcement agencies using the EC120 B include: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Edmonton Police Service (AIR-1) and the Calgary Police Service (HAWC 2).

Operational history

The first EC120 B was delivered in 1998 and by 2008, Eurocopter had already delivered more than 550 Colibris to various customers.

In 2004, the United States Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) selected the EC120 B to meet its Light Sign Cutter requirement, a program potentially involving 55 aircraft with a total value of US$ 75 million in then-year dollars[4]. In 2006, the CBP ordered 15 EC120 B helicopters, with a further 5 aircraft since ordered[5].

In January 2008, the French Defense Ministry selected the EC120 as the French Army's new lead-in rotary-wing trainer, replacing the Aérospatiale Gazelle. 36 EC120 Bs equipped with Sagem avionics will be operated through a 22-year public-private partnership (PPP), with the first aircraft due to arrive in 2010[6].

Variants

  • EC120 B Colibri: Standard designation (original designation during development = 'P120')
  • HC120: The HC120 helicopter trainer is a licensed Chinese-built variant of the EC120

Operators

 Canada

 China

 Germany

 India

  • Two in service with APOORVA Aviation for training of Indian helicopter pilots.[8]

 Indonesia

 Lithuania

 Mexico

 Singapore

 Spain

 Slovenia

  • One in service with FlyCom air surveillance company.

 United States

Specifications (EC120 B)

Data from {name of first source} Eurocopter EC120 B 2008 Tech Data book

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
  • Capacity: 4 passengers

Performance Avionics
Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) with First Limit Indicator (FLI) fitted as standard.

References

  1. ^ "EC120 Assembly Line". Australian Aerospace. Retrieved 2007-04-16. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ "HC-120 (EC-120) Helicopter". Global Security.org. Retrieved 2007-04-16. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Eurocopter
  4. ^ Defense Industry Daily
  5. ^ American Eurocopter
  6. ^ French Ministry of Defense
  7. ^ Eurocopter Press Release - Eurocopter Hands Over The First Of A Total Of Six EC120 Training Helicopters To The German Ministry Of The Interior
  8. ^ Eurocopter Press Release - Eurocopter Signs Contract For Two EC120 For APOORVA Aviation At Aero India
  9. ^ Eurocopter Press Release - 400th EC120 Delivered To Sacramento County Sheriff's Department
  10. ^ Eurocopter Press Release - U.S. Customs & Border Protection Takes Delivery Of Its First EC120

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eurocopter Colibri.

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