AS 350 Écureuil/AStar AS 355 Écureuil 2/TwinStar EC 130B
Eurocopter AS-355N Ecureuil 2 at Paris Air Show 2007
Type	Light utility
Manufacturer	Aérospatiale Eurocopter Group
Maiden flight	26 June 1974
Introduced	1975
Produced	1975 to date
Variants	Eurocopter Fennec

The AS 350 Écureuil ("Squirrel") and AS 355 Écureuil 2 are a family of light helicopters originally manufactured by Aérospatiale (now part of Eurocopter Group). The AS 350 (marketed as the AStar in North America) is the single-engined version, while the AS 355 (TwinStar) uses two engines. The EC 130B is a development of the AS 350 with an enlarged cabin and shrouded Fenestron tail rotor. In computer science, A* (pronounced A star) is a graph/tree search algorithm that finds a path from a given initial node to a given goal node (or one passing a given goal test). ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 800 pixel, file size: 279 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... A Mirage 2000-5 at the Paris Air Show The Paris Air Show (Salon International de lAéronautique et de lEspace, Paris-Le Bourget) is an international trade fair for the aerospace business. ... An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft. ... The Aérospatiale Corvette first flew in 1970 and went into service in 1974. ... The Eurocopter Group is a global helicopter manufacturing and support company formed in 1992 from the merger of the helicopter divisions of French Aérospatiale and German DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA). ... The Maiden flight of an aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord. ... is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1974: Events July July 22 - the US Navy and Marine Corps evacuate 500 people from Greece and Turkey on the island September September 1 - a SR-71 Blackbird crosses the Atlantic Ocean in less than two hours. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1975: Events January A specially modified McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle sets eight time to climb records, including one of 3 minutes 27 seconds from standstill on the runway to a height of 30,000 metres (98,425 feet). ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1975: Events January A specially modified McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle sets eight time to climb records, including one of 3 minutes 27 seconds from standstill on the runway to a height of 30,000 metres (98,425 feet). ... The Fennec is a single-engined, light-weight, multipurpose helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. ... This article is about the animal. ... The Aérospatiale Corvette first flew in 1970 and went into service in 1974. ... The Eurocopter Group is a global helicopter manufacturing and support company formed in 1992 from the merger of the helicopter divisions of French Aérospatiale and German DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA). ...

Design and development

A twin-engined version was developed which is known as the Écureuil 2, Twin Squirrel, or in North America as the Twin Star. The EC 130 was derived from this model but production of the Eurocopter AS 350 and AS 355, and the AS 550 and AS 555 Fennec military versions remains strong.

Both single and twin-engined versions have been built under licence in Brazil.

Operational history

A Canadian AStar

Initially introduced to the market in 2001 for tour operator, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, The EC130 features an enclosed tail fan rather than a traditional tail rotor found on the older AS350. This Fenestron (French for "small window") has the advantage of reducing outside noise by 50% compared to a tail rotor. The EC130 features much more cockpit glass than the AS350 which makes it popular with tour operators. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 483 pixelsFull resolution (1155 × 698 pixel, file size: 863 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) C-FFBU Canadian Helicopters Astar AS-350-BA (AS50) Picture taken 16th June 2005 at 19:01 MDT (17th June 2005 01:01Z) at Cambridge... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 483 pixelsFull resolution (1155 × 698 pixel, file size: 863 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) C-FFBU Canadian Helicopters Astar AS-350-BA (AS50) Picture taken 16th June 2005 at 19:01 MDT (17th June 2005 01:01Z) at Cambridge... Fenestron on Eurocopter EC120B A Fenestron (or Fantail) is a totally enclosed tail rotor of a helicopter that has a tail rotor configuration. ...

World altitude record

On May 14, 2005 an AS 350B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle set an absolute world record for highest helicopter landing and takeoff. The standard-configured Ecureuil touched down at 8,850 meters (29.035 feet) on the top of Mt. Everest.^[1] May 14 is the 134th day of the year (135th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Alpine mountain. ...

Variants

Single engine

Aérospatiale AS 350 B2

AS 350B

Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine.

AS 350B1

Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1D engine.

AS 350B2

Higher gross weight version powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine.

AS 350B3

High-performance version, is powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2B engine equipped with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system.

AS 350BA

Powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine.

AS 350BB

Powered by a derated Turbomeca Arriel engine to improve the helicopters life cycle.

Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1

Military version of the AS 350BB for the British RAF as a training helicopter.

Eurocopter Squirrel HT.2

Military version of the AS 350BB for the British Army Air Corps as a training helicopter.

AS 350C

Powered by one Lycoming LTS-101-600A2 engine for the North American market as the AStar.

AS 350D

Powered by one Lycoming LTS-101 engine for the North American market as the AStar.

AS 350L1

Military variant.

HB 350B Esquilo

Licence built in Brazil by Helibras.

EC 130 B4

Features a Fenestron™ tail and enlarged cabin.

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2560 × 1920 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2560 × 1920 pixel, file size: 1. ... Founded in 1938, Turbomeca is one of the leading manufacturers of low and medium-power gas turbine for helicopters. ... The Turboméca Arriel is a highly-successful series of French turboprop and turboshaft engines first run in 1974. ... FADEC is the acronym for Full Authority Digital Engine Control. ... “RAF” redirects here. ... The Army Air Corps is a component of the British Army. ... The Honeywell (formerly Lycoming) LTS101 is a turboshaft engine family rangine from 650 to 850 shaft horsepower, used in a number of popular helicopters[1] and (as the LTP101) light aircraft. ... Fenestron on Eurocopter EC120B A Fenestron (or Fantail) is a totally enclosed tail rotor of a helicopter that has a tail rotor configuration. ...

Twin engine

AS 355F1 Écureuil 2

AS 355

Prototype known as Ecureuil 2 or Twin Squirrel.

AS 355E

North American version known as Twin Star.

AS 355F

AS 355F1

Powered by the Allison C20F engine.

AS 355F2

Powered by the Allison C20F engine.

AS 355N

Version fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A engines and a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system.

AS 355NP

Introduced in 2007, this version is fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A1 turboshaft engines and a new AS 350B3-based main gearbox, increasing maximum take-off weight over the AS 355N by 200kg to 2,800kg.^[2]

Eurocopter Twin Squirrel HCC1

Powered by Two Allison 250-C20R turboshafts, a military version of the AS 355N for the British RAF as a light transport helicopter.

HB.355F Ecureuil 2

Licence built in Brazil by Helibras.

HB.355N Ecureuil 2

Licence built in Brazil by Helibras.

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 528 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 528 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Arrius is an asteroid, named by Duncan Steel after his son Harry. ... FADEC is the acronym for Full Authority Digital Engine Control. ... Schematic diagram showing the operation of a simplified turboshaft engine. ... MTU build Allison 250-C20B The Rolls-Royce Model 250 is a highly successful turboshaft/turboprop engine family, originally started by a General Motors offshoot, the Allison Engine Company, in the early 60s. ... “RAF” redirects here. ...

Aftermarket conversions

Soloy Super D

AS350BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.

Soloy Super D2

AS350B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.

Heli-Lynx 350FX1

AS350BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.

Heli-Lynx 350FX2

AS350BA or AS350B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.

Otech AS350BA+

AS350BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine ^[3].

Starflex AS355F1R

AS355F1 powered by the Allison C20R engine. FAA, TC and EASA approved.

Starflex AS355F2R

AS355F2 Powered by the Allison C20R engine with optimised tail rotor blades. FAA, TC and EASA approved.

Operators

Military operators

 Albania

 Algeria

 Australia

 Benin

 Botswana

 Brazil

 Canada

 Central African Republic

 Chile

 China

• also as variant Changhe Z-11

 Denmark

 Ecuador

 France

 Gabon

 Guinea

 Jamaica

 Malaysia

 Mali

 Morocco

 Paraguay

 Peru

 Singapore

 Trinidad and Tobago

 Tunisia

 United Arab Emirates

 United Kingdom

• 38 AS 350BB helicopters in service with FB Heliservices for the Ministry of Defence's Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury for training all British Armed Forces helicopter pilots.^[4]

 United States

 Uruguay

Image File history File links Flag_of_Albania. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Algeria. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Benin. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Botswana. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Central_African_Republic. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Z-11 is a light utility helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Denmark. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ecuador. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Gabon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Guinea. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Jamaica. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Malaysia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mali. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Morocco. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Paraguay. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Peru. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Singapore. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Tunisia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and the headquarters of the British Armed Forces. ... The Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury, a Royal Air Force station near Shrewsbury, England, trains aircrew from all three of the Armed Forces. ... RAF Shawbury is a Royal Air Force station near Shrewsbury, Shropshire. ... The armed forces of the United Kingdom, commonly known as the British Armed Forces or Her Majestys Armed Forces, and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown[1], encompasses a navy, army, and an air force. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Uruguay. ...

Law Enforcement operators

 Austria

• Flugpolizei (Ministry of Interior)^[5] operates five AS 350 B1, two AS 355 F2 and two AS 355 N.

 Australia

• New South Wales Police Force

 Brazil

• Goiás Military Police ^[6]

 Canada

• Royal Canadian Mounted Police

 Ireland

• Garda Síochána

 Morocco

• Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie

New Zealand

• New Zealand Police Eagle Unit^[7]

 Philippines

• Philippine National Police

 Trinidad and Tobago

• Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago

 United Kingdom

• Metropolitan Police Service ^[8]

 United States

• Anaheim Police Department
• Los Angeles Police Department operates 14 AS350B2 helicopters.^[9]
• Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department operates 7 AS350 helicopters.
• Massachusetts State Police
• Miami-Dade Police Department
• Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago

Image File history File links Flag_of_Austria. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The New South Wales Police Force (NSWPOL)(NSW Police Force; previously New South Wales Police Service & New South Wales Police) is the primary law enforcement agency in the State of New South Wales, Australia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), also known as the Mounties or Gendarmerie Royale du Canada (GRC) in French, is both the federal and national police force of Canada. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... Garda Síochána na hÉireann (pronounced ; Irish for Peace Guard of Ireland, often rendered[1] as The Guardians of the Peace of Ireland) is the police force of the Republic of Ireland. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Morocco. ... The was founded in 1957 by His Majesty late Mohammed V. The structure of its functions has been determined by the two major different but complementary traditions. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Philippines. ... The PNP seal The Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is the name currently used by the territorial police force which is responsible for Greater London other than the City of London (the responsibility of the City of London Police). ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... “LAPD” redirects here. ... This article is about the Los Angeles County Sherriffs Department, not to be confused with the smaller Los Angeles County Police Memorial to fallen deputies. ... The Massachusetts State Police (MSP) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety responsible for criminal law enforcement and traffic vehicle regulation across the state. ... The Miami-Dade Police Department (formerly known as the Metro-Dade Police Department (1981–1994) and the Dade County Sheriffs Office (1836–1981)) is a full service metropolitan police department serving Miami-Dade Countys unincorporated areas, although they have lenient mutual aid agreements with other municipalities, most often...

Civilian operators

 Germany

• 1 EC 130 B4 in service with Johann Lafer's Heli Gourmet service which combines helicopter travel with an outdoor eating experience.^[10]

 United Arab Emirates

• 1 EC 130 in service with Falcon Aviation Services and 2 more ordered in 2007.^[11]

Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Johann Lafer (born September 27, 1957 in Graz, Styria, Austria) is an Austrian chef living in Germany. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates. ... Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) is an airline based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. ...

Specifications (AS350B3)

Data from {Original Ecureuil article}

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 6
• Length: 12.94 m (42.46 ft)
• Rotor diameter: 10.69 m (35.06 ft)
• Height: 3.14 m (10.96 ft)
• Empty weight: 1,232 kg (2,917 lbs)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,250 kg (4,960 lbs)
• Powerplant: 1× Turbomeca Arriel 2B turboshaft, 632 kW (847 shp)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 287 km/h (155 knots, 178 mph)
• Maximum speed: km/h (knots, mph)
• Cruise speed: 259 km/h (140 knots, 161 mph)
• Range: 652 km (352 nm, 405 mi)
• Service ceiling: 5,280 m (17,323 ft)
• Rate of climb: 10.3 m/s (2,028 ft/min)

In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft is allowed to try to achieve flight. ... An aircrafts Vne is the velocity that should never be exceeded. ... VNO of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of normal operation. ... Airspeed Indicator in a light aircraft The VC of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of cruising. ... The maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing, as limited by fuel capacity in powered aircraft, or cross-country speed and environmental conditions in unpowered aircraft. ... In aeronautics, the service ceiling is the maximum density altitude where the best rate of climb airspeed will produce a 100 feet per minute climb(twin engine) and 50 feet(single engine) at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ...

References

External links

• Eurocopters AS 350B2 page
• Eurocopter's AS 350B3 page
• Eurocopter's EC 130 page
• Eurocopter's AS 355NP page
• Photos of AS-350 Écureuil
• Photos of AS-350 B2 Écureuil
• Photos of AS-350 B3 Écureuil

Related content

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Eurocopter Ecureuil

Related development

• Eurocopter Fennec‎
• Z-11

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Fennec is a single-engined, light-weight, multipurpose helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. ... Z-11 is a light utility helicopter developed by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation. ...

Related lists

• List of active United Kingdom military aircraft

See also

• Eurocopter Group
• 2007 Phoenix news helicopter collision