The Eurocopter EC120 B Colibri is a 5-seat light utility helicopter
powered by a single Turbomeca Arrius 2F turbine engine. The EC 120 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 EC120 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. The airframes are made in China and the final
assembly line of the EC120 is at the Eurocopter Marignane factory in
France. Next to the final assembly of the EC120 in France, a number of
helicopters were assembled in Australia and Brazil. 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. In 2006, Regourd Aviation in France
obtained EASA certification for the modified EC120 "Voyager", an EC120
with auto-pilot, glass cockpit & integrated avionics. Until 2009,
Eurocopter has built more than 600 EC120 B helicopters.
Registration F-GRAE was reserved for Eurocopter EC120 B c/n 1024. The registration was ntu for this airframe but alloted
to EC120 B c/n 1049. In March 1999, the 1999-built Eurocopter EC120B Colibri c/n 1024 was registered in Germany as D-HVIP
with the VHM Schul und Charterflug. Early 2000, Colibri D-HVIP arrived at the Heli Holland heliport in Emmen, the Netherlands,
for maintenance with Heli Holland Technics. After maintenance, the EC-120B was registered G-ZWAR in the UK with Hedgeton Trading Ltd., Surbiton,
on 14 April 2000. Colibri G-ZWAR was delivered to Spain. Early 2003, the helicopter returned to Emmen for maintenance. Since, Colibri G-ZWAR is
operated in Scotland by HJS Helicopters, based on a privately owned and operated helipad at Peterculter just outside Aberdeen in the North East
of Scotland. On 15 May 2008, EC-120B G-ZWAR was photographed at heliport Emmen when hired by Heli Holland. The same day, a reservation for the registration
PH-ECR by Heli Holland Holding BV was recorded for this chopper. On 18 July, registration G-ZWAR was cancelled and the
helicopter was registered
PH-ECR wit Heli Holland BV, Emmer-Compascuum, on 22 July 2008.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
