Airbus Helicopters H120 Colibri
Airbus Helicopters / Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation · France · first flew 1995 · helicopter
The Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) H120 Colibri is a single-engine light helicopter developed jointly with China's Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation, offering five seats in a modern airframe with a Fenestron anti-torque device. It targets the training, utility, and light commercial markets.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.52 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine five-seat light helicopter with Fenestron shrouded tail rotor
- Joint Eurocopter/Harbin development, produced in China as HC120
- Distinctive egg-shaped cabin with large glazed area
A compact single-engine helicopter with a smoothly contoured bubble cabin, Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, skid undercarriage, and a short tail boom; the large glazed forward cabin is immediately distinctive.
Specifications
- The Airbus Helicopters H120 Colibri has a length of 11.52 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 232 km/h (144 mph).
- Typical crew: 1+4 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The joint programme between Eurocopter and Harbin was announced in the early 1990s, with the first flight achieved in 1995. The aircraft is manufactured in both France (as the EC120) and China (as the HC120/Harbin H120), with final assembly divided between the two countries. The type certificated in France and China in 1997 and has sold widely for training and touring roles.
Variants
The EC120B Colibri is the standard production form; the HC120 is the Chinese-assembled equivalent. No dedicated military variant entered production, though some operate in light utility and police roles.
Where you'll see it
Used by civil operators and several military flying training organisations worldwide; operated in France, China, and numerous export countries.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.