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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 9 June 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 2008, Eurocopter has delivered more than 550 EC120 helicopters. |
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After the registration PH-WRW was reserved for Helicon BV on 28 November 2001, the EC120B Colibri c/n 1277 was
registered PH-WRW by Heli Holland Holding BV, Emmercompascuum, on 22 January 2002. The 2001-built helicopter arrived
the same day, all white, on delivery at the Heli-Holland heliport near the orbital road of Emmen in
the Netherlands. After being prepared for Helicon, the PH-WRW was delivered to HELICO and registered
with Helicon BV on 2 July 2002. In May 2008, the aircraft was sold to Heli Holland, Emmercompascuum. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
