Airbus H125

Airbus Helicopters · France · first flew 1974 · helicopter

The H125, long known as the AS350 Ecureuil or Squirrel, is a versatile single-engine light helicopter prized for hot-and-high and utility performance.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.93 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Slim single-engine cabin with a Fenestron-free open tail rotor
Three-blade Starflex main rotor and tall fin
High-set tail boom favoured for mountain and utility work

Look for the slim cabin, three-blade rotor and conventional open tail rotor on a tall fin. It is sleeker and smaller than a JetRanger and carries a single engine above the cabin.

Specifications

The Airbus H125 has a length of 10.93 m (36 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.69 m (35 ft).
Its maximum speed is 287 km/h (178 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Aerospatiale first flew the AS350 in 1974 and it became a best-selling light single, later marketed by Eurocopter and Airbus as the H125. It holds records including landings near the summit of Everest.

Variants

The line spans the AS350B series, the twin-engine AS355 Twin Squirrel, the militarised Fennec, and the current H125 with uprated Arriel engines.

Where you'll see it

In Britain the type has long served as the Squirrel basic training helicopter for UK military pilots at RAF Shawbury, and civil examples are common in police, charter and aerial-work roles.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.