Features Aircraft Innovations
Eurocopter EC175 wraps up U.S. demo tour

Performed with the no. 1 series production EC175, the
three-week multi-state tour enabled pilots, support personnel, managers
and others to experience the EC175’s capabilities first-hand during
flights conducted from locations along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The
helicopter also came to Las Vegas, Nev. for display at the Heli-Expo
2013 industry show.

Eurocopter said
converging feedback included high marks for the helicopter’s
responsiveness, its smooth and quiet ride, visibility, flight system and
cabin comfort.

“The EC175 is the first
helicopter to be truly designed with customers in mind, taking into
account extensive consultation with operators and end-users,” said
Eurocopter president and CEO Lutz Bertling. “Feedback from throughout
the EC175’s U.S. demonstration tour confirms our success in meeting
their needs.”

Pilots from multiple oil and gas
airlift providers — along with those from law enforcement agencies and
emergency medical transportation operators — were given time at the
EC175’s controls, while employees of these companies were aboard the
helicopter in the evaluations performed from Feb. 25 to March 15. 

During
more than 50 flight hours logged in the demonstrations, 285 crew
members and passengers were flown in on-shore and off-shore operations.

Among
the comments received were: “The EC175 flies like a magic carpet —
smooth and quiet;” “Its avionics system is second to none;” “Performance
is superior, with excellent acceleration and deceleration;” “Visibility
is outstanding;” and “The EC175 is simply the most advanced,
safety-oriented helicopter in the world today.”

The
helicopter’s new Helionix avionics was widely praised by pilots who
were able to assess this advanced system’s flight envelope protection,
pilot assistance and situational awareness in their hands-on
evaluations. Helionix further extends the avionics systems already
proven on Eurocopter’s EC225 helicopter, and incorporates the most
innovative alerting and self-monitoring system. “There is no other
aircraft available today with an avionics suite as advanced as on the
EC175,” one pilot said. “The EC175 has superior safety qualities along
with superior performance qualities.”

In
addition, the oil and gas community confirmed the EC175’s speed
advantage: a recommended cruise speed of 150 knots in smooth flight
conditions, with a maximum cruise speed that exceeds 165 knots.

Highlighted
as well during the demonstrations was the EC175’s range, providing the
reach needed by off-shore service providers and other operators. An oil
and gas-configured EC175 is capable of carrying 16 passengers to a
radius of action (RoA) of 140 nautical miles, while an ultra long-range
reach approaching an RoA of 200 nautical miles is possible when 12
passengers are carried.

Also recognized by the
operators is Eurocopter’s commitment to provide a mature helicopter at
the EC175’s service entry, supported by a dedicated task force and tools
that include validated support and services deliverables, along with
established training capabilities.

During its
U.S. visit, Eurocopter organized EC175 visits to New Iberia, Lafayette
and Lake Charles, La.; concluding with a three-day wrap-up at Houston,
Texas. These stopovers included presentations on topics that ranged from
operations and performance to Eurocopter’s innovative support and
services available for the EC175.

The EC175 has
been airlifted back to Europe aboard a chartered cargo jetliner, and
this helicopter is to be used for follow-on demonstration tours planned
later in 2013 to several additional regions of the world.