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
1400 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 helicopter is EC35
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.
The 1999-built Eurocopter EC135 P1 s/n 0100 was registered D-HBYH in Germany on 23 June 1999. Eurocopter
EC135 P1 D-HBYH was operated first by Hubschrauberstaffel (Polizei Bayern, München/Franz Josef Strauß Int'l Airport)
and leased from Südleasing GmbH. In service with the Polizei Bayern (Bavarian Police Force), the helicopter used
call-sign "Edelweiss 8". In February 2002, the EC135 P1 was modified by Eurocopter Germany to the EC135 P2 standard.
In August 2009, the Polizei Bayern' EC135s, including EC135 P2 D-HBYH, were offered for sale as they would be replaced
by new EC135 P2+ helicopters in 2010. In October 2010, EC135 P2 D-HBYH was flown to Flugplatz Bonn-Hangelar and stored.
In January 2011, Eurocopter EC135 P2 D-HBYH was sold to ADAC Luftrettung GmbH. In April 2011, refurbishment and repaint
at the ALT maintenance facilities at Flugplatz Bonn-Hangelar started and the helicopter was modified to the RTH standard
and during the major overhaul fitted with the new Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF). On 31 July 2011, EC135 P2 D-HBYH entered
service with ADAC Luftrettung, first as "Christoph 10" stationed at ADAC Luftrettungsstation Wittlich. Since June 2012,
Eurocopter EC135 P2 D-HBYH was operated as "Christoph 31" stationed at ADAC Luftrettungsstation Berlin. In October 2014,
EC135 P2 D-HBYH flew to Bonn-Hangelar for repaint into the new ADAC colors; maintenance and modification by ALT to the
EC135 P2+ standard. In December 2014, EC135 P2+ D-HBYH returned in service as "Christoph 31". Since 2018, ADAC operated
EC135 P2+ D-HBYH on several stations, like "Christoph 33; 39; 63 and 70" and Flying Intervention Team (TEMPiS). On 23
April 2026, Eurocopter EC135 P2+ D-HBYH was seen stored at Flugplatz Bonn.Hangelaar (EDKB) in ADAC / TEMPiS colors.
