EC135

The EC135 (or H135) light twin-engine multi-role helicopter was developed by Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) for civil or military purposes and is most often used for air medical transport (medevac), police purposes, offshore hydropower inspection or military flight training. The helicopter first flew in 1994, but thanks to various modifications and upgrades, there is still interest in these machines.

The EC135 can be powered by two 2x 472 kW Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 turboshaft engines or two 2x 463 kW Pratt &Whitney Canada PW206B turboshaft engines. Like other Eurocopter helicopters, it is equipped with a covered tail rotor, the so-called fenestron, with ten moving and ten fixed blades. In addition to lower noise, which is ensured by the variable angular spacing of the blades, a big advantage is also the reduction of the risk of accidents caused by the rear rotor, which is better protected in contact with the surrounding environment thanks to the covering. This advantage also applies to the other side, when even people on the ground are more protected from the rotor of the helicopter.

Over 1,400 EC135s have already been produced, delivered to 60 countries and have completed more than 5 million flight hours. Among the security forces, the Czech, Croatian and Canadian police, for example, have the EC135 in their arsenal. Among the countries, Germany, Spain, Brazil and Australia have this helicopter, Spain and Great Britain have also ordered them.

► Aviantion Archive - EC135