Eurocopter EC-120 Colibri
- CountryFrance, Germany, China and Singapore
- TypeFive place light utility helicopter
- PowerplantsOne 376kW (504shp) Turboméca TM-319 Arrius 2F turboshaft driving a three blade main rotor and eight blade Fenestron shrouded tail rotor.
- PerformanceMax cruising speed 232km/h (125kt). Initial rate of climb 1425ft/min. Service ceiling 19,800ft. Range with no reserves 748km (404nm). Endurance at 120km/h (65kt) 4hr 12min.
- WeightsEmpty 895kg (1973lb), max takeoff 1680kg (3704lb), max takeoff with a sling load 1770kg (3902lb).
- DimentionsMain rotor diameter 10.00m (32ft 9in), length overall rotors turning 11.52m (37ft 10in), fuselage length 9.60m (31ft 6in), height 3.40m (11ft 2in). Main rotor disc area 78.6m2 (845.4sq ft).
- CapacityTypical seating for five, with pilot and passenger side by side with three passengers on rear bench seat. Could be configured for special missions roles. Max sling load 700kg (1543lb).
- ProductionFirst Colibri delivery (to Japan) in January 1998. At late 1998 more than 100 Colibris had been ordered and the production rate had increased from four to six per month. Eurocopter anticipated a market over the subsequent decade for 1600.
Eurocopter's answer for create another light helicopter lay in structuring an association with CATIC (Harbin) of China and Singapore Technologies Aerospace of Singapore.
Eurocopter (then Aerospatiale), CATIC and STA propelled definition improvement of another light helicopter, then assigned P-120l, in February 1990. The teaming game plans for the helicopter saw Aerospatiale/Eurocopter take a 61% system offer and administration, CATIC with 24% and Stae with 15%. An advancement goahead contract for the new flying machine was marked in October 1992 (by which time Aerospatiale's helicopter exercises had been consolidated into Eurocopter) and the EC-120 assignment was reported in January 1993 (the Colibri [hummingbird in English] name came later). Plan definition was finished in mid 1993.
Inside the Eurocopter/CATIC/Stae organization, Eurocopter is in charge of the configuration and production of the rotor framework and transmission, last gathering (at Marignane in France), flight testing and accreditation. CATIC forms the EC-120's fuselage, arriving apparatus and fuel framework, while Stae's territories of obligation blankets the tailboom, blade and entryways.
Outstanding Colibri configuration gimmicks incorporate a three edge primary rotor with a Spheriflex center incorporated with the driveshaft and transmission, composite principle and tail rotor edges and slide arriving apparatus, a metal development fuselage and another eight sharpened steel Fenestron covered tail rotor. The Turbomã©ca TM-319 Arrius 1f turboshaft was chosen to power in any event the initial 300 Colibris. The Colibri's lodge characteristics standard seating for five including the pilot.
The main of two EC-120 models first flew on June 9 1995 from Eurocopter France's Marignane office. French DGAC certificate was recompensed in June 1997, while the first creation Colibri first flew in December that year
Pictures of Eurocopter EC-120 Colibri
