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The Airbus Helicopters 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. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator is EC20 for both the EC120 and
HC120. Until 2016, more than 700 EC120 B helicopters have been delivered to 55 countries. Since March 2015,
Airbus Helicopters uses “H120” as marketing designation for EC120 B helicopters. |
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As a result of the merger between the Eurocopter parents Aérospatiale-Matra; DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA)
and Construcciones Aeronàuticas Sociedad Anonima (CASA) in July 2000, the Eurocopter group became a division of the new formed
EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space company). Taking off into 2014, EADS was rebranded as "Airbus Group". Uniting
all its activities under a single brand, its helicopter division Eurocopter was rebranded as Airbus Helicopters on 8 January 2014. |
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The 2000-built Eurocopter EC120 B c/n 1169 was registered first with the Eurocopter France test registration
F-WQ.. The Colibri was registered PH-ECD in the Netherlands with Heli Holland Holding BV, Emmer-Compascuum, on 29 November 2000.
EC120B PH-ECD arrived on delivery at the Heli-Holland heliport near Emmen on 4 December 2000.
The PH-ECD is operated by Heli-Holland since. |
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