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.
The 2002-built Eurocopter EC130 B4 s/n 3624 flew first with Eurocopter France test registration F-WQDI and was
used for the type-certification by the Rijks Luchtvaart Dienst, the Dutch CAA. On 27 November 2002, the EC130 B4 Ecureuil was registered PH-ECZ
in the Netherlands with Heli Holland Holding BV, Emmer-Compascuum. Although registered in the Netherlands, EC130 B4 Ecureuil PH-ECZ was operated
in Ronda, Malaga in Spain. In 2009, the helicopter was painted in attractive Ascari Club colours. On 16 April 2014, registration PH-ECZ was
cancelled as exported to Australia. On 30 April 2014, the Eurocopter EC130 B4 was registered VH-WYH in Australia with Whitsunday Air Services Pty Ltd.,
Hamilton Island, as operator and Helibiz Pty Ltd., as owner. On 20 November 2009, the Ascari Club'
Eurocopter EC130 B4 PH-ECZ was seen at the Heli Holland heliport near Emmen.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
