Description
Airbus H125 – a small helicopter with ample opportunities
Airbus Helicopters H125 is a light single-engine multipurpose helicopter that is available in passenger, cargo, police, and medical configurations manufactured by French-German Eurocopter corporation. Due to the combination of decent flight characteristics, comfort level, reconfiguration speed and adaptation to high-altitude and hot climate conditions, it has become one of the most popular light class helicopters.
Capabilities of Airbus H125 helicopter
In the early 1970, French company Aérospatiale developed Aérospatiale Gazelle model to replace outdated Alouette II transport helicopter. This model won recognition of the military specialists, but civilian customers were disappointed with the high price of the aircraft. To meet their needs, an affordable and easy-to-maintain model Eurocopter AS350 – Écureuil (squirrel in French) was launched. Its first modification powered by the Lycoming LTS101 GTE took off back in 1974.
The currently produced models are branded as Airbus H125 instead of their previous name AS350 B3e. They have been produced since 2016 and are equipped with Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engines with a capacity of 632 kW (847 HP) and a triple control system – the two-channel digital one and a backup channel for automatic engine start equipped with a flight information recorder. This enabled to increase a repair interval and reduce operational costs.
The glassed-in helicopter cabin is equipped with a radio communication line combined with a GPS system. Modern aircraft electronics makes it possible to reduce load upon a pilot, since H125 is equipped with a multifunctional screen of the automated flight control system, which enables the pilot to analyze information in real time, which characterizes operation of the general helicopter and power unit systems on a double color LCD screen. The three-bladed main rotor is equipped with a swashplate, with its blades being made of composite materials that are strong, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion.
As for today, AS350 helicopter has two world records:
- in 2005, it landed and then took off from the Mount Everest top at an altitude of 8850 m;
- in 2016, it took off to 3000 meters in 2 minutes and 21 seconds.
Airbus H125 helicopter can be used as a passenger vehicle, for lifting and transporting cargo, as well as for extinguishing fires. It can serve as agricultural aviation, participate in information collection and news coverage, environmental monitoring, geological surveys, etc.
The main modifications of Airbus H125 helicopter are intended for:
- transporting passengers. This helicopter modification can carry from 4 to 6 passengers in a spacious air-conditioned compartment with a designer interior and a minimum possible vibration level. The passenger modification has three luggage compartments, with convenient access to the forward-facing seats being provided by two wide sliding doors located on the fuselage sides;
- private and business aviation, which offers a choice of configuration and compartment design for corporate and VIP transportation as part of an exclusive ACH offer – Airbus Corporate Helicopters;
- medical transportation. When rendering urgent medical aid and performing rescue operations, the helicopter can carry a pilot, two doctors, 1 stretcher and a set of medical equipment;
- police operations: the helicopter is equipped with night vision devices, searchlights, loudspeakers, and other equipment required for surveillance, search, rescue, patrol, and other operations, including the ones performed in high-altitude and hot areas.
Light, powerful, easy-to-operate multipurpose Airbus H125 helicopters have won recognition all over the globe: more than 6 thousand of these aircraft have clocked up 30 million hours in 120 countries.
