N672LE Eurocopter EC-155B1 Dauphin 2 c/n 6652 - HEC01 - Rotterdam Airport, Holland - 1 March 2008

The Eurocopter EC-155 B1 is a medium-weight multi-role utility twin engine helicopter accommodating up to 12 passengers and 2 crew. The EC 155 B is a development of the AS 365N Dauphin 2, with 40% larger cabin area, a new five-bladed Spheriflex main rotor with an extremely low vibration level and 'glass cockpit'. The EC155 B1 is powered by a pair of Turbomeca Arrius 2C2 turbine engines. The new generation of Fenestron tail rotor takes part in the decrease in external noise level. This tail rotor has 10 blades spaced irregularly around the hub. Development of the EC-155, initially known as AS-365N-4 Dauphin started in September 1996. The development of the AS365 N4 wide body helicopter was announced at International Paris Airshow in June 1997. A mockup of the N4 was shown at the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget and on 17 June 1997, the prototype EC155, F-WDFK, a rebuilt Dauphin, flew first at Marignane. The first pre-poduction EC155 B flew on 11 March 1998. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) and the German Government Agencies (LBA) certification was awarded in December 1998 and the EC 155 got its single-pilot IFR certificate on 25 January 2000. The first three Eurocopter EC 155 Bs were officially handed over to the German Federal Ministry of the Interior / Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS) at the Bonn-Hangelaar base of the BGS on 16 March 1999. The EC155 B1 is a development of the EC155 B with more powerful engines and improved performance at high altitude and in hot temperature conditions. Deliveries of the EC 155B1 version began in September 2002. By March 2006, more than 80 EC155s had been sold.

Eurocopter France used the test-registration F‑WQEP for the 2003-built Eurocopter EC155B1 s/n 6652. On 22 March 2004, the EC155 B1 was registered N672LE with HEC01 LLC, Wilmington (DL), USA. VIP-Eurocopter EC155 B1 N672LE is based at Blackbushe in the UK. On 1 March 2008, the N672LE was noted at Rotterdam Airport in the Netherlands, in company with Gulfstream GV-SP N671LE. The same day, EC155 B1 N672LE visited Seppe airfield in the Netherlands.