EASA Certifies EC130T2

摘要

Eurocopter has achieved certification of its EC130T2, the latest version of the EC130 light helicopter. European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification was awarded to the aircraft on May 25 and Eurocopter is in the process of test-flying the first production example, with two more under construction at the company's Marignane-Marseille facility. More than 100 EC130T2s have been ordered since it was unveiled at Heli-Expo 2012 in Dallas in February (see Heli-Expo 2012, April,. p42). The T2 is a complete overhaul of the EC130 design, featuring the Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine as used on the AS350B3e, which provides 10% more power than the Arriel 2B1 of the EC130B4, delivered through a redesigned gearbox. Some 70% of the airframe has been modified, and the aircraft features a new avionics suite, a crashworthy fuel system, an improved air-conditioning system and an active anti-vibration system.