Eurocopter/Kawasaki BK 117
- CountryGermany and Japan
- TypeTwin engine utility helicopter
- PowerplantsBK 117 A - Two 450kW (600shp) Avco (Textron) Lycoming LTS 101650B1 turboshafts driving a four blade main rotor and two blade tail rotor. BK 117 B2 - Two 410kW (550shp) takeoff max continuous rated AlliedSignal LTS 101750B1s.
- PerformanceBK 117 A - Cruising speed 264km/h (143kt). Initial rate of climb 1970ft/min. Hovering ceiling in ground effect 13,450ft. Range with max payload 545km (295nm). BK 117 B2 - Max cruising speed 248km/h (134kt). Initial rate of climb 1900ft/min. Hovering ceiling out of ground effect 7500ft. Range with standard fuel 540km (290nm), with internal long range fuel tank 706km (381nm).
- WeightsBK 117 A - Empty 1520kg (3350lb), max takeoff 2800kg (6173lb). BK 117 B2 - Empty 1745kg (3846lb), max takeoff 3350kg (7385lb), max takeoff with external payload.
- DimentionsMain rotor diameter 11.00m (36ft 1in), length overall 13.00m (42ft 8in) fuselage length 9.91m (32ft 6in), height rotors turning 3.85m (12ft 8in). Main rotor disc area 95.0m2 (1023sq ft).
- CapacityOne pilot and max seating for 10 passengers. Executive configuration seats six, standard MBB/Eurocopter configuration seats seven, standard Kawasaki version seats nine. Can be equipped for search and rescue, EMS and police work with various appropriate internal configurations.
- ProductionApprox 370 BK 117s built, with 260 from Eurocopter/MBB and 110 from Kawasaki. Indonesia's IPTN licence built three BK 117s as NBK117s.
The BK 117 was created under a joint communitarian exertion between MBB of Germany (now a piece of Eurocopter) and Kawasaki of Japan, bringing about creation lines in both nations.
The BK 117 system supplanted the freely created BO 107 and Kawasaki Kh7 plan studies. The BK 117 holds the previous' general setup, with Eurocopter in charge of the helicopter's rotor framework (which utilizes a scaled up variant of the BO 105's four edge inflexible fundamental rotor), tail unit, pressure driven framework and force controls, while Kawasaki has obligation regarding the fuselage, transmission and undercarriage.
Improvement prompted the BK 117's first flight on June 13 1979, the first generation airplane (implicit Japan) flew December 1981, certificate was recompensed in December 1982, and first conveyances occurred ahead of schedule in 1983. Introductory generation was of the BK 117 A1, while the BK 117 A3 with higher max takeoff weight and expanded tail rotor with bent cutting edges was certificated in March 1985. The BK 117 A4 presented from 1987 peculiarities expanded execution through an expanded transmission limit at takeoff force, enhanced tail rotor head and, on German fabricated flying machine, expanded fuel.
The BK 117 B1 (certificated in 1987) has all the more compelling motors and better execution, the BK 117 B2 is right now in creation and has an expanded max takeoff weight. The BK 117 C1 is a German advancement with Turbomã©ca Arriel motors, while the BK 117 C-2 now underdevelopment characteristics enhancements from the EC 135 including new aeronautic designs.
Pictures of Eurocopter/Kawasaki BK 117
