Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma

  • CountryFrance
  • TypeMedium lift utility helicopter
  • PowerplantsAS 332L - Two 1325kW (1755shp) Turboméca Makila turboshafts driving a four blade main rotor and five blade tail rotor. AS 332L2 - Two 1375kW (1845shp) takeoff rated Turboméca Makila 1A2 turboshafts.
  • PerformanceAS 332L - Max cruising speed 277km/h (150kt). Max inclined rate of climb 1810ft/min. Hovering ceiling in ground effect 9840ft. Range 850km (635nm). AS 332L2 - High speed cruise 277km/h (150kt), economical cruising speed 252km/h (136kt). Rate of climb at 130km/h (70kt) 1447ft/min. Hovering ceiling out of ground effect 9380ft. Range with max fuel, economical cruising speed and no reserves 1490km (805nm), with standard fuel and same conditions 850km (460nm). Endurance 4hr 54min.
  • WeightsAS 332L - Empty 4370kg (9635lb), max takeoff 9000kg (19,840lb). AS 332L2 - Empty 4686kg (10,331lb), max takeoff 9300kg (20,502lb).
  • DimentionsAS 332L - Main rotor diameter 15.08m (49ft 6in), length overall rotors turning 18.70m (61ft 4in), fuselage length 15.52m (50ft 11in), height overall 4.92m (16ft 1in). AS 332L2 - Main rotor diameter 16.20m (53ft 2in), length overall rotors turning 19.50m (63ft 11in), height overall 4.97m (16ft 4in). Main rotor disc area 206.1m2 (2218.7sq ft).
  • CapacityFlightcrew of one (VFR ops), or two (IFR ops) pilots. AS 332 seating for 17, AS 332L and AS 332L2 max seating for 24.
  • ProductionMilitary and civil orders for all variants of the Super Puma total more than 540.

A bigger advancement of the Puma (depicted under Aerospatiale), the Super Puma is a functional and demonstrated medium lift twin helicopter, especially prominent for seaward oil apparatus help work.

The first SA 330 Puma, on which the Super Puma is based, flew without precedent for April 1965. The principal Super Puma first flew in September 1978 and was basically an all the more influential form of the Puma, emphasizing 1270kw (1700shp) Turbomã©ca Makila turboshafts, new flight, composite rotor razor sharp edges and an augmented fuselage. For a period Aerospatiale wanted to fit the Super Puma with a Fenestron covered tail rotor, however testing uncovered no critical execution profits. Business adaptations were assigned AS 332cs.

The AS 332l (or SA 332l preceding 1980) Super Puma presented an extended fuselage (by 76.5cm/2.5ft), first flew on October 10 1980 and was certificated in 1983. The overhauled AS 332l1 with Makila 1a1 motors showed up in 1986. Bristow Helicopters requested 31 uncommonly altered AS 332ls for its North Sea seaward oil apparatus work, and these are named Tiger.

The AS 332l remaining parts in creation however is dynamically being supplanted by the AS 332l2. The L2 Super Puma Mk II (known as the Cougar in military appearance) offers a further fuselage stretch allowing a further column of seats, EFIS flight instrumentation, spheriflex rotor heads and more fundamental rotor edges with explanatory tips. It was certified in 1992.

Pictures of Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma