The Airbus Helicopters EC130 B4 Ecureuil / AStar is a 7-8 seat single
engine helicopter, powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 turbine engine. The
EC130 B4 (formerly known as the AS350B4) is essentially a development of
the AS350B3 at a higher gross weight, with the following changes: an
enlarged cabin and cargo compartment incorporating triple front seats as
standard and using EC120 type windows; installation of the “moustache”
type skid landing gear off the EC120; and utilising an EC135-type
fenestron anti-torque tail rotor system. The Eurocopter EC130 B4 cruises
at nearly 230 km per hour. The external noise emission, 8.5dB under the
ICAO requirement, is low. The cabin width is 2.03m compared to 1.87m for
the AS350 B2 Ecureuil. Thanks to its large access, its spacious cabin
and its quiet interior the EC130 B4 is not only suitable for the
passenger transport but also as EMS helicopter. Fitted with the
appropriate mission equipment, the EC130 B4 can also perform Police and
S.A.R. missions. Due to the low external noise emission, the EC130 B4 is
in the USA nicknamed 'Eco Star'. In February 2012, Eurocopter introduced the EC130 T2,
an upgraded variant of the EC130 featuring the more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft
engine. Improving upon the base model's performance; more than 70% of the EC130 T2's airframe
differed from the initial EC130 model, changes to improve passenger conditions such as an active
vibration control system and better air conditioning systems were adopted, while fuel consumption
is claimed to be reduced by 14 per cent. Since March 2015, Airbus Helicopters uses “H130” as marketing
designation for the EC130 T2 helicopter. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the EC130 / H130 helicopters is EC30
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.
Eurocopter EC130 B4 AStar s/n 3766 was registered first in the USA as N148AE.
On 20 July 2004, the helicopter was registered as N628PM with Tanjore Corp Ltd., Laredo, Texas.
The N628PM 'Princess Mariana' was based on board of the 76,90 mtr. superyacht 'Princess Mariana', that
was sailing under the flag of the British Virgin Islands. The Eurocopter EC130 B4 was equipped with
an emergency float system when it visited visited Groningen Airport Eelde *EHGG/GRQ).
On 27 April 2010, EC130 B4 N628PM was registered with Southlake Aviation
LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada. The same day, registration N628PM was cancelled
as exported to Mexico, where the helicopter was registered XA-UNS.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
