Eurocopter EC 135

The EC 135 is a light twin-engine multi-purpose helicopter. It was developed by DASA Group, which later Eurocopter in Germany rose ( now Airbus Helicopters ). Its field of application is mainly in air rescue and as a police helicopter or similar tasks. It is increasingly being used for education and training of pilots, for example, in the Armed Forces or the Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces.

It is also available under the designation EC 635 as a military execution; a previously georderter of Switzerland, Jordan and the Air Force of Iraq easier combat, transport, observation and training helicopter.

The EC 135 is used as one of the preferred helicopter in the Air Rescue; currently (2013 ) are equipped all 500 total built copies for the medical emergency; this accounts for a market share of 25 percent worldwide.

3.1 civil
3.2 Military

Development

Development History dates back to the EC 135 on the Messerschmitt -Bolkow -Blohm Bo 105. On the basis of the model Bo 108 was developed in the 1980s, which was originally intended only as a demonstration model for new technologies. Here mainly were added the fly-by- wire control system and a new bearingless main rotor, which reduces the disturbing and materialermüdenden vibrations to a minimum, it responds swiftly and is relatively quiet. The joints could be saved by torsional flexibility FRP sheets. It is also noteworthy that the airframe of the helicopter EC 135 is made largely from CFRP.

MBB Bo 108 brought the prototype in 1989, DASA one whose helicopter activities in 1992 were transferred to the newly founded German - French company Eurocopter. Meanwhile, you could see for a value based on the Bo 108 helicopter good market opportunities, so that the old design plans were brought back from the drawers. The French part of Eurocopter (formerly Aerospatiale ) contributed the new fenestron tail rotor of another significant noise reduction and an increase in safety promised as free-standing rotating parts accounted for.

On February 15, 1994, equipped with the new tail rotor Bo 108 -A1 raised from the first production run of the new EC 135 helicopter in Ottobrunn for its maiden flight. In 1996, ran to the series production. The helicopter is equipped with 86 dB only slightly louder than the EC 130

EADS confirmed on 21 May 2012 that the European Aviation Safety Agency ( EASA) ordered a review of the EC135 after cracks occurred in the rotors. Since mid- May, the rotors of the EC135 (and the military version of the EC635 ) before each flight should be checked for cracks by EASA.

Use

In the Bundeswehr

As a training helicopter of the German Army, the EC 135 is limited because it is already increased demands on the pilot. The training of autorotation is possible only within narrow speed limits, which from a flight beginner can not be expected. In addition, the rotor system is heavily loaded during autorotation, since very high cone angle can be achieved. Therefore, such specific parts of the training on the Bo 105 are flown. The student pilot learn the landing with auto-rotation also in the simulator at the German Army Aviation School and practice on a Bo 105 in a two-week course in Celle the practical part. The Bundeswehr procured for initial training in the Army Aviation School Biickeburg a special " long-legged " version of the EC 135 T1. The primary purpose in gathering was to train the pilots on a helicopter type which is suitable for its cockpit to facilitate the later change to the cockpit equipped with similar patterns Eurocopter Tiger and NH90, but also the CH- 53GA.

In the air rescue

In Germany, the Eurocopter EC 135 has almost entirely replaced since the fleet of the DRF air rescue and the ADAC air rescue in large part from the EC 135 is the air rescue the Bo 105, BK 117 and other helicopter types. In Austria, only this model is used by the Christophorus flight rescue association. The Polish Air Rescue Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (LPR ) sets since 2009 the EC 135; here 17 air ambulance bases of health mini istry are equipped with 23 helicopters. In Turkey, the EC 135 was selected in 2013 with 17 copies the preferred model in the local air ambulance.

Models

The letter T stands for the Turbomeca Arrius engine; the P for the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW200 gas turbine. The other characters refer to the respective stage. Later pieces include the central instrument display system (English " Central Panel Display System" ( CPDS ) ).

Civil

EC 135 P1 with PW206B
EC 135 T1 with Arrius 2B1, 2B1A or 2B1A1.

Both have a maximum takeoff weight of 2720 kg.

EC 135 P2 with PW206B2
EC 135 T2 with Arrius 2B2.

Both have more power with an engine and a maximum takeoff weight of 2835 kg.

EC 135 P2 with PW206B2
EC 135 T2 with Arrius 2B2.

Both have a maximum takeoff weight of 2910 kg and the revised digital engine control increased power output.

EC 135 P2e
EC 135 T2e

Both models have an increased by 40 kg take-off weight of 2,950 kg.

Military

EC 635: The military version of the EC 135

Specifications

Data information from Eurocopter and Turbomeca

Accidents

On 30 March 2011 plunged a Eurocopter EC 135 of the Austrian air police in the Achensee, it came to four people.
On November 29, 2013, a police helicopter Eurocopter EC 135 T2 crashed in Glasgow on the roof of the pub " Clutha Vault " on the banks of the River Clyde; while the three crew members of the helicopter and at least six visitors to the pubs were killed. At the time of the accident, the pub was filled, as the band " Esperanza " gave a concert there. As a preliminary cause of the accident, the failure of two drives was found due to lack of fuel. Upon impact, the rotor and the tail rotor stood still.

Trivia

The EC 135 is also known from the TV series HeliCops - use over Berlin.

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