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The Eurocopter EC-120 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. The helicopter divisions of Aerospatiale from France and MBB from Germany merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. In October 1992 the
development of the new helicopter started and in January 1993 the Eurocopter designation EC 120 was given to the
helicopter. The first of two EC-120 prototypes, the F‑WWPA (c/n 1), flew first on June 9th 1995. Production of the
EC 120 began on a small scale in 1997 at Eurocopter France's Marignane facility, with the first production Colibri
flying in December 1997. Next to the Eurocopter France production line, in 2004 an assembly line was built in Harbin,
China to manufacture the EC120 helicopter, designated HC-120 for the Chinese market.
As of 2005, Eurocopter has delivered more than 400 EC120 helicopters. |
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As the Bell 206L, Hughes 500, Schweizer 330, and Eurocopter EC130,
the EC-120 got certificated in the Netherlands with Heli-Holland. For the certification with the Rijks
Luchtvaart Dienst the Eurocopter EC120B F-WQDY (s/n 1069) was used before it was registered on December
21st 1999 as PH-RBC with Heli Holland Holding BV. This in 1999 built EC120B was the first of a number of
Colibri helicopters imported by Heli-Holland and delivered to their customers. The helicopter was
registered on February 23rd 2002 with its new owner Van der Most Beheer BV. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
