List of Rotorcraft models
Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil / Airbus Helicopters H125
The Aérospatiale AS350 Écureuil (ICAO model code AS50) is a single-engine rotorcraft, originally produced by Aérospatiale under the model designation AS350, later known as Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil and from 2014 marketed as Airbus Helicopters H125. In North America it is branded as AStar.
Technical specifications
• Capacity: 5 PAX
• Length: 10.93 m (35 ft 10 in)
• Height: 3.145 m (10 ft 4 in)
• Empty weight: 1,174 kg (2,588 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,250 kg (4,960 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Turbomeca Arriel 2B turboshaft engine, 632 kW (848 hp)
• Main rotor diameter: 10.7 m (35 ft 1 in)
• Main rotor area: 89.75 m2 (966.1 sq ft)
• Cruise speed: 245 km/h (152 mph, 132 kn)
• Never exceed speed: 287 km/h (178 mph, 155 kn)
• Range: 662 km (411 mi, 357 nmi)
• Endurance: 4 hours 6 minutes
• Service ceiling: 4,600 m (15,100 ft)
• Rate of climb: 8.5 m/s (1,670 ft/min)
The model is a versatile light utility helicopter, designed for the needs of law enforcement duties and high-altitude rescue operations. AS350 is meeting the noise requirements of the civil aviation in urban and environmental protection areas. The helicopter is a powered by a single Lycoming LTS101 or Turbomeca Arriel turboshaft engine, driving a three-blade main rotor. The first prototype with Lycoming LTS101 engine flew on 27th of June 1974, while the first flight with the Turbomeca Arriel 1A engine was commenced on 14th of February 1975. The deliveries to customers began in 1978.
The AS350 is proven to function well in high-altitude operations. For example, on 14th of May 2005, an AS350 B3 landed on the top of Mount Everest at 8,848 m in a confirmed world record. Since then, the model is also used in high-altitude rescue operations, such as the rescue of Spanish alpinists from Annapurna I at 6,900 m in April 2010 or the rescue operation between Camps III & IV in the Everest's Yellow Band at 7,800 m in May 2013.