Eurocopter AS-350 Ecureuil
- CountryFrance
- TypeLight utility helicopter
- PowerplantsAS-350B - One 546kW (732shp) Turboméca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft driving a three blade main rotor and two blade tail rotor. AS-350D - One 460kW (615shp) Textron (Avco) Lycoming LTS-101-600A2. AS-350B-3 - One 632kW (848shp) Arriel 2B (transmission takeoff rating 500kW/671shp).
- PerformanceAS-350B-2 - Max cruising speed 246km/h (133kt). Max rate of climb 1752ft/min. Hovering ceiling out of ground effect 8360ft. Range with max fuel 670km (362nm). AS-350D - Max cruising speed 230km/h (124kt). Max inclined rate of climb 1575ft/min. Range with max fuel and no reserves 760km (410nm). AS-350B-3 - Max cruising speed 248km/h (134kt). Initial rate of climb 1791ft/min. Hovering ceiling out of ground effect 12,240ft. Range with max fuel 666km (360nm).
- WeightsAS-350B-2 - Empty 1171kg (2582lb), max takeoff 2250kg (4960lb). AS-350D - Empty 1070kg (2359lb), max takeoff 1950kg (4300lb), or 2100kg (4630lb) with a sling load. AS-350B-3 - Empty 1175kg (2590lb), max takeoff 2250kg (4960lb).
- DimentionsMain rotor diameter 10.69m (35ft 1in), length with rotors turning 12.94m (42ft 6in), fuselage length 10.93m (35ft 11in), height overall 3.14m (10ft 4in). Main rotor disc area 89.8m2 (966.1sq ft).
- CapacityStandard seating for six, including two forward seats and a four place rear bench seat.
- ProductionApprox 3000 AS-350s of all types (including military Fennecs) ordered by late 2002. In addition Helibras in Brazil has built over 300 Esquilos under licence.
Europe's best common helicopter, the Ecureuil (= Squirrel) is in far reaching common and military use overall undertaking an assortment of boundless missions.
Aerospatiale's advancement of the AS-350 Ecureuil in the early 1970s reached a state of perfection in the first flights of the Avco Lycoming LTS-101 fueled model on June 27 1974 and the Turbomeca Arriel controlled model on February 14 1975. These flying machine were trailed by eight preproduction samples, the first of which flew in late 1977.
Client conveyances started in April 1978. Starting models offered were the Arriel controlled AS-350b, which was advertised outside North America, and the LTS-101 fueled AS-350c Astar sold in the USA. The AS-350c was soon supplanted by the D, with an all the more capable motor.
Ensuing improvements incorporate the hot and high AS-350b-1 with a 510kw (684shp) Arriel 1d; the AS-350ba which was certificated in 1991 and was in generation through to 1998 and is fitted with the bigger primary rotors of the AS-350b-2 (AS-350bs might be retrofitted to BA standard); and the AS-350b-2 (promoted in North America as the Superstar) with an all the more effective Arriel 1d1 turboshaft, and the principle and tail rotors produced for the twin motor AS-355f Ecureuil 2 (depicted independently) and certificated in April 1989. The AS-350b-3 first flew on March 4 1997 and is a hot and high advanced model. Its most imperative change is an all the more influential Arriel 2d motor. Conveyances started in January 1998.
In January 1992, Aerospatiale's helicopter division was coordinated into Eurocopter.
Later creation military Ecureuils are showcased as the AS-550 Fennec. The Ecureuil is likewise constructed under permit in Brazil as the HB-350 Esquilo, and a look-a-like is implicit China as the Changhe Z-11.
Pictures of Eurocopter AS-350 Ecureuil
