Eurocopter EC135
Airbus Helicopters (Eurocopter) · Germany · first flew 1994 · helicopter
The Airbus Helicopters H135, formerly the Eurocopter EC135, is a twin-engine civil light utility helicopter. It can fly under instrument flight rules and has a digital automatic flight control system.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Rotor diameter and fuselage length are both about 10.2 m, giving a compact shape |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Enclosed Fenestron ducted tail rotor in place of a conventional tail rotor
- Twin-engine light helicopter with skid landing gear
- Rotor diameter and fuselage length are both about 10.2 m, giving a compact shape
The enclosed Fenestron tail rotor and twin turboshaft engines distinguish it from older light helicopters. The Fenestron also made it quiet for its class.
Specifications
- The Eurocopter EC135 has a length of 10.2 m (33 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.2 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 287 km/h (178 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was developed from the Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo 108 technology demonstrator, which first flew in 1988 with a conventional tail rotor. The Fenestron tail was introduced in the late 1990s redesign, and the EC135 pre-production prototypes first flew in 1994. It entered service in 1996.
Variants
The EC135 was offered with either Turbomeca Arrius or Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B engines, and later T2 and P2 versions improved single-engine performance. The H135M is the military variant.
Where you'll see it
About 1,400 had been delivered to 300 operators in 60 countries by September 2020. It is mainly used for air medical transport, corporate transport, law enforcement, offshore wind support and military flight training.
Related aircraft
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