The Eurocopter EC120 B Colibri is a 5-seat light utility helicopter
powered by a single Turbomeca Arrius 2F turbine engine. The EC120 B
Colibri, also known as Hummingbird, was developed with simplicity of
design and low costs of maintenance in mind. It makes extensive use of
composite materials and modern avionics. The new generation of fenestron
tail rotor takes part in the decrease in external noise level, which
makes the EC120 B ideal for missions near settled areas. The project
started in 1990 when Aerospatiale of France, CATIC of China and
Singapore Aerospace agreed in forming a partnership to develop a new
light helicopter, then designated P‑120L. Definition phase of the
original P120L was subsequently redesigned with 500 kg lower gross weight
and new engine and rotor. The helicopter divisions of Aerospatiale from France and MBB from Germany
merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. In October 1992, development of the new helicopter
started and in January 1993, Eurocopter designation EC 120 was given to the helicopter. Mid-1993, the design definition was completed
and assembly of first of two prototypes began at Eurocopter France at Marignane in early 1995.
Eurocopter EC-120 prototype F-WWPA c/n 1 flew first on 9 June 1995. The second prototype (F-WWPD c/n 2) was flown 17 July
1996. Certification to JAR 27 was achieved on 16 June 1997. Production of the EC 120 began on a small scale in 1997 at Eurocopter
France's Marignane facility, with the first production Colibri (F-WWPL
c/n 1005) flying on 5 December 1997.
On 11 June 2004, CATIC, HAI and Eurocopter signed a contract to set up an second assembly
line to manufacture the EC120 helicopter in Harbin, China. The EC120 built by HAI - Harbin Aviation Industries Co., Ltd. (Hafei
Aviation), part of AviChina Industry & Technology Company Ltd., is known as HC120.
The HC120 is destined for the Chinese domestic market as well as the army's
pilot training. Until 2009, Eurocopter has built more than 600 EC120 B helicopters.
The 2001-built Eurocopter EC120 B
Colibri c/n 1224 was registered first in Sweden as SE-JMF on 13 June 2001.
The SE-JMF was operated by Berguven Aero, Börlange. The company went bankrupt early-2004
and the EC120 B was sold. On 22 July 2004, the helicopter was registered as G-TGGR with
Blue Five Aviation Ltd. in the UK. In July 2006, the G-TGGR arrived out of the UK at Grand
Case Airport, Sint Martin, to be operated in the Netherlands Antilles on behalf of Heli St. Martin.
This operator, owned by Matt Sadler, started its operations in August 2006, and on 18 August, the
G-TGGR was registered with E.P. & R.S. Sadler, Sint Maartin, Netherlands Antilles. In spring of 2007,
the G-TGGR returned to the UK. On 12 September 2007, the G‑TGGR was registered with D.M.McGarrity, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland.
The emergency float system equipped Colibri visited Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands on 17 July 2007.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
