Eurocopter EC 130B4

Type (Muster)
Light multi-purpose helicopter (Leichter Mehrzweckhubschrauber)

Country (Land)
France (Frankreich)

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Eurocopter
Aeroport Marseille Provence
F-13725 Marignane Cedex
France

Phone: 0033-4/4285-9291
Fax: 0033-4/4285-9564

General data (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 6 in standard version, 7 in "medium density" layout. There is room for one or two stretchers plus two medical attendants.
Baggage (Gepäck): 1,095 cu m in three holds behind cabin

Power plant (Antrieb):1 x Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 with dual channel FADEC
Power (Leistung): 632 kW (847 shp) at take-off, 543 kW (728 shp) maximum continuous

Noise (Lärmentwicklung): 88,6 EPNdB (average ICAO annex 16, chapter 8
Overflight noise (Überfluglärm): 84,3 EPNdB

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Overall length, rotors turning (Länge über drehende Rotoren): 12,64 m
Fuselage length (Rumpflänge): 10,68 m
Height (Höhe): 3,61 m to the top of the tail
Width over landing gear (Breite): 2,31 m
Width over horizontal tail (Gesamtbreite): 3,04 m
Rotor diameter (Rotordurchmesser): 10,69 m
Fenestron diameter (Durchmesser des Fenestron): 1,00 m

Cabin length (Kabinenlänge): 2,19 m
Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 1,86 m maximum
Cabin height (Kabinenhöhe): 1,17 m
Useful cabin area (nutzbare Kabinenfläche): 3,0 sq m (without pilot seat)
Useful cabin volume (Kabinenvolumen): 3,7 cu m

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight, standard (Leermasse): 1360 kg
Useful load (Zuladung): 1040 kg
Max. load on cargo hook (max. Außenlast): 1160 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 540 litres (143 US gal)
Max. take-off weight (Max. Startmasse): 2400 kg
Max. take-off weight with external load (mit Außenlasten): 2800 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. speed (VNE): 287 km/h (155 kts) at max. take-off weight
Fast cruise speed (Hohe Reisegeschwindigkeit): 235 km/h (127 kts) at max. take-off weight, 259 km/h at 1800 kg
Climb rate (Steigrate) 9,1 m/s at max. take-off weight, 10,6 m/s at 1800 kg
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 5030 m at max. take-off weight, over (über) 7010 m (23000 ft) at 1800 kg take-off weight
Hover ceiling (Schwebeflughöhe)
   - in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt, ISA): 3265 m at max. take-off-weight, 5875 m at 1800 kg
   - in ground effect (im Bodeneffekt, ISA + 20 C): 2450 m at max. take-off weight, 5180 m at 1800 kg take-off weight
   - out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt, ISA): 2660 m at max. take-off weight, 5320 m at 1800 kg
   - out of ground effect (ohne Bodeneffekt, ISA + 20 deg C): 1780 m at max. take-off weight, 4610 m at 1800 kg
Max. range (Reichweite): 640 km (345 NM)

Costs (Kosten)
Price was said to be around 1.6 million US-dollars at the beginning of 2001

Customers (Kunden)
At Heli-Expo 2001 in Anaheim, Blue Hawaiian was announced as the first customer for the EC 130B4.

Competition (Konkurrenz)
Agusta A 119 Koala
Bell 206L LongRanger
Bell 407
MD Helicopters MD 600N

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The EC 130B4 is a member of the Ecureuil family, but uses new components and parts from the EC 120 extensively to bring widebody feeling (23 percent more cabin space) and low noise. The main features of the helicopter are:

low noise fenestron, a copy of the EC 135 unit, but mirrored to match the main rotor which moves in the opposite direction
new metallic tail boom
new landing gear
EC 120 doors
basic central structure form AS 350B3, but modified
EC 120 canopy with new central window
main rotor, mechanical assemblies, core engine from AS 350B3
dual hydraulics derived from AS 355N

History (Geschichte)
The EC 130 was designed to complement rather than replace the AS 350 Ecureuil variants. It was designed with the tourism market in mind, where strict noise rule now also apply over US National Parks.
Early studies were made in 1998, and the first prototype took off on 24 June 1999 at Marignane, with Didier Delsalle and flight engineer Bernard Certain in the cockpit.
A second helicopter flew in September 2000, and by 14. December 2000, JAA certification was achieved, with FAA certification follwing on 21. December.
The testing was done secretly, and so Eurocopter was able to unveil the EC 130B4 at the Heli-Expo show in Anaheim on 11. February 2001. There, a first helicopter was handed over to Blue Hawaiian. A total of four will enter service in the spring, conducting intensive operations to iron out any shortcomings. Full deliveries are set to start inSeptember 2001, with production set to achieve up to 50 machines a year.

Last updated 20. February 2001

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