Eurocopter EC 130

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The EC 130 is a seven-seater, single-engine helicopter turbine drive of the European manufacturer Airbus Helicopters, Eurocopter earlier.

Development

The EC 130 is designed to expand the AS -350 series. Its official name is therefore AS 350 B4, since their admission to the AS 350 B3 is based, the main rotor system was adopted. In particular, the noise was brought to the fore, as some touristic areas were not to be overflown by the previous helicopters due to the noise. First investigations of the feasibility took place in 1998. It was found that an asymmetric tail rotor fenestron allows a corresponding noise reduction together with a variable rotor speed without expensive new developments are necessary.

The approval by the FAA on 14 December 2000, by the JAA. Launch customer on 21 December 2000 was in 2001, the airline Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, which received a Vorserienexemplar in February 2001. The base price in 2002 was 1.6 million U.S. dollars, in 2010 about 3.1 million U.S. dollars. The series machines were delivered in September 2001. In December 2004, the 100th machine has already been handed over to a customer. In February 2012, Eurocopter announced the development of the EC130 T2. The development of the standard version has a modified engine with lower fuel consumption and longer service intervals for both higher power ( max continuous 850 hp, starting power around 950 hp). The fuselage of the helicopter has been revised to 70 %, in particular to problems with deformation phenomena of the old version to eliminate (eg, warped doors).

Technology

The EC 130 has a three -blade main rotor and a tail rotor as fenestron. It is driven by a single, with a digital control system ( FADEC Full Authority Digital Engine Control) equipped turbine, can accommodate 7-8 people and has a newly designed landing gear, the resonance is suppressed more effectively than before. Technically the machine on the Eurocopter AS 350, but has a longer cabin, which is air-conditioned. The first flight took place on 24 June 1999.

As a special feature that allows the flight control system, lower the main rotor speed to reduce the noise in flight. With 84.3 EPN it falls below the GCNP limit ( Grand Canyon National Park ) by 0.5 dB. For comparison, a modern jet Boeing 737-800 caused 79.1 dB, the standard aircraft of the private flying, the Cessna 172 with modern noise, 66 dB.

Specifications

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