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Eurocopter EC135
D-HDRL D-HGYN
D-HIPT D-HKUG
D-HLDM D-HSAN
D-HVBB D-HZSD
LN-OOH OE-XEA
PH-EMS PH-MAA
PH-ULP German Army 82+64
D-HTMA Eurocopter EC135 P2+ c/n 0786 - htm offshore - Flugplatz Emden in Germany - 21 June 2012 Flugplatz Emden (EDWE)

The Airbus Helicopters EC135 / H135 is a lightweight five/seven seat twin-turbine-engine multi-role helicopter with a radius of 720 km. The EC135 is offered with either Safran Helicopter Engines (former: Turbomeca) Arrius 2B2 or Pratt & Whitney PW206B2 engines. Development of the Eurocopter EC135 started in the 80s as the MBB Bo.108 Advanced Technology Helicopter. The prototype BO108 with conventional tail rotor flew first on 15 October 1988. When the helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aérospatiale from France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group, the Bo108 program was transferred as well. An advanced low noise ducted 10-blade Fenestron tail rotor was, next to other modifications, incorporated into the design and the name of the helicopter was changed into Eurocopter EC135. The prototype of the EC135 (D-HBOX s/n S-01) flew first on 15 February 1994 and went in series production in 1996 at Donauwörth. On 14 June 1996, the German certification was granted by the LBA and the first customer delivery followed on 31 July that year. Next to the EC135 a special military version was developed designated the Eurocopter EC635. The EC635 has a structural reinforcement of cabin structure and can be equipped with wire-guided, laser-guided, autonomous missiles. Over 1300 EC135 / H135 / H135M airframes have been delivered since the helicopter entered service in 1996. In March 2015, Airbus Helicopters renamed its entire product line to better reflect its closer allignment with ist parent company and simplify the naming convention for the portfolio. Therefore, the EC135 T3/P3 were renamed as “H135” as stated in revison No.EASA.R.009 Issue: 07 of the Type Certificate Data Sheet for EC135 dated 18 March 2015. “H135M” is used as marketing designation for the military EC635 P3(CPDS); EC635 P3H; EC635 T3(CPDS) and EC635 T3H helicopters. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the EC135 / H135 helicopters is EC35.

As a result of the merger between the Eurocopter parents French Aerospatiale-Matra, the German DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) and the Spanish CASA companies in July 2000, the Eurocopter group became a division of the new formed EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). Taking off into 2014, the EADS group has been rebranded as "Airbus Group". Uniting all its activities under a single brand, Airbus Group also renamed its helicopter division Eurocopter, that was rebranded Airbus Helicopters on 8 January 2014.

Eurocopter Germany used test-registration D-HECX for the 2009-built Eurocopter EC135 P2+ s/n 0786. On 25 March 2009, the EC135 P2+ was registered D-HTMA in Germany with HTM - Helicopter Travel Munich. The aircraft is operated by htm offshore on flights from and to Emden to transport people and equipment to one of the offshore windfarms in the North Sea, north of Borkum Island. For this work, the EC135 P2+ helicopter is equipped with emergency floats, a hoist and a cargo hook in combination with an externally mounted load mirror.

page last updated: 02-02-2018
Copyright © Jack Wolbrink, Emmen, the Netherlands
 

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