Eurocopter AS350B-2 Écureuil (Squirrel),, Single-engine six-seat light utility helicopter, France

Eurocopter AS350B-2 Écureuil (Squirrel)
Single-engine six-seat light utility helicopter, France

Archive Photos ¹

Eurocopter AS350B-2 Écureuil (N221LA) on display (6/25/2000) at the 2000 Aviation Expo, Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, California (Photos by John Shupek)

Overview ²

Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil/AStar
Role: Light utility helicopter
Manufacturer: Eurocopter Group
First flight: 26 June 1974
Introduction: 1975
Status: Active in production
Primary users: Brazilian Air Force; Australian Defence Force; Royal Jordanian Air Force
Produced: 1975 - present
Unit cost: ≈US$2.0M, €1.5M (AS350 B2); ≈US$2.3M, €1.75M (AS350 B3)
Variants: Eurocopter AS355; AS550 Fennec
Developed into: Eurocopter EC130

The Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil (Squirrel) is a Single-engine light helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale (now part of Eurocopter Group). The AS350 is marketed in North America as the AStar. The AS355 Écureuil 2 (marketed in North America as the TwinStar.) is a Twin-engine variant, while the Eurocopter EC130 is a derivative of the AS350 airframe.

Design and Development ²

Development began in the early 1970’s to replace the Aérospatiale Alouette II, and the first flight took place on 27 June 1974. Despite the introduction of the EC130, production of the Eurocopter AS350 remains strong.

The Helicópteros do Brasil (Helibras) subsidiary of Eurocopter signed a contract for a major upgrade program on the Brazilian Army’s fleet of 36 AS350 Écureuils.

Operational History ²

On May 14, 2005 an AS350 B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle touched down on the top of Mt. Everest, at 8,848 m (29,030 ft). This record has been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

On April 29, 2010 a stripped-down AS350 B3 succeeded in rescuing three alpinists from Annapurna I, Nepal at 8091 m (26,545 ft), one at a time, the highest such rescue.

Variants ²

AS350: Prototype.
AS350 Firefighter: Fire fighting version.
AS350B: Powered by one Turbomeca Arriel 1B engine.
AS350 B1: Improved version of the original AS350B, which is powered by one Arriel 1D engine, type also fitted with AS355 main rotor blades, AS355 tail rotor with tabs and a tail rotor servo.
AS350 B2: Higher gross weight version powered by one Arriel 1D1 engine over the B1 version with aerodynamic strake fitted to tail boom along the starboard side and angled engine exhaust duct for better yaw control.
AS350 B3: High-performance version, is powered by an Arriel 2B engine equipped with a single channel (DECU) Digital Engine Control Unit with a mechanical backup system. This helicopter is the first ever to land on Mount Everest. AS350 B3/2B1 variant introduces enhanced engine with dual channel (FADEC) Full Authority Digital Engine Control, dual hydraulics and a 2,370 kg (5,225 lb) Maximum Take Off Weight. AS350 B3e (introduced late 2011) equipped with the Arriel 2D engine.
AS350 BA: Powered by a Arriel 1B engine and fitted with wider chord AS355 main rotor blades and tail rotor servo.
AS350 BB: AS350 B2: variant selected to meet rotary-wing training needs of UK MoD, through its Defence Helicopter Flying School in 1996. Powered by a derated Arriel 1D1 engine to improve the helicopters’ life cycle.

Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1: Designation of AS350 BB in operation with British RAF as a training helicopter.
Eurocopter Squirrel HT.2: Designation of AS350 BB in operation with British Army Air Corps as a training helicopter.

AS350 C: Initial variant of Lycoming LTS-101-600A2 powered version developed for the North American market as the AStar. Quickly superseded by AS350D.
AS350 D: Powered by one Lycoming LTS-101 engine for the North American market as the AStar. At one stage marketed as AStar ’Mark III.’
AS350 L1: Military derivative of AS350 B1, powered by a 510 kW (684 shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D turboshaft engine. Superseded by AS350 L2.
AS350 L2: Military derivative of AS350 B2, powered by a 546 kW (732 shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine. Designation superseded by AS550 C2.
HB350 B Esquilo: Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Air Force. Brazilian designations CH-50 and TH-50. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
HB350 B1 Esquilo: Unarmed military version for the Brazilian Navy. Brazilian designation UH-12. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
HB350 L1: Armed military version for the Brazilian Army. Brazilian designation HA-1. Built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.

Aftermarket Conversions ²

Soloy Super D: AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
Soloy Super D2: AS350 B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.
Heli-Lynx 350FX1: AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
Heli-Lynx 350FX2: AS350 BA or AS350 B2 powered by an LTS101-700D-2 engine.
Otech AS350BA+: AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.

Operators ²

The AS350 is in service around the world operated by private individuals, airline and charter operators, emergency medical teams, governments and law enforcement agencies.

Military Operators

Argentina: Argentine National Gendarmerie
Albania: Albanian Air Force
Australia: Australian Defence Force Helicopter School; Fleet Air Arm No. 723 Squadron RAN
Botswana: Botswana Defence Force, Air Wing AS350
Brazil: Brazilian Air Force; Brazilian Army; Brazilian Navy
Bolivia: Bolivian Air Force
Central African Republic: Central African Republic - The sole helicopter of the Central African Republic’s Air Force
Chile: Chilean Army AS350 B3; Investigations Police of Chile AS350 B3 (03)
Denmark: Royal Danish Air Force, 724 Squadron, surveillance, observations, light transport, SOF operations.
Ecuador: Ecuadorian Air Force 5 AS350; Ecuadorian Army
Gabon: Gabonese Air Force
Iceland: Icelandic Coast Guard
Jordan: Royal Jordanian Air Force
Kenya: Kenya Police Air Wing
Mali: Mali Air Force
Malawi: Malawi Army Air Wing
Pakistan: Pakistan Army, Pakistan Army Aviation Corps
Paraguay: Paraguayan Air Force 4 Helibras HB-350/UH-50 Esquilo; Paraguayan Naval Aviation 2 Helibras HB-350/UH-50 Esquilo
Peru: Peruvian Air Force
Philippines: Philippine National Police
United Kingdom: Ministry of Defence’s Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury - 38 AS350 BB helicopters in service with FB Heliservices for the training of all British Armed Forces helicopter pilots.; British Army - The School of Army Aviation in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, employs 10 AS350 BB through FB Heliservices in the Operational Training Phase of the Army Pilot’s Course.
Dominican Republic: Dominican National Police

Former Military Operators

Australia: Royal Australian Air Force - Former operator of the 18 Squirrels. RAAF A22-001 to -012 were in service with RAAF from 1984 to 1990. No. 5 Squadron RAAF; Australian Army Aviation - Former operator.
Malawi: Malawi Police Force Air Wing - Former operator.
Singapore: Republic of Singapore Air Force

Governmental Operators

Iran: Ministry of Petroleum

Notable Achievements and Accidents ²

On 14 May 2005, a Écureuil AS350 B3 piloted by Didier Delsalle landed at about 8,848 meters on the top of the Mount Everest. As required by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the aircraft remained on the summit longer than 2 minutes before returning to Lukla. He actually landed on the summit two times. He only needed to land for two minutes to officially set the record, but he stayed for about four minutes twice. The flight set rotorcraft world records, for highest of both landing and take-off. Delsalle also rescued two Japanese climbers at 16,000 feet (4,877 m), and one climber noted that the Eurocopter flight meant a better chance of rescue.
On 27 July 2007, two AS350’s collided in mid-air while reporting a police pursuit. The two helicopters were part of KNXV-TV and KTVK television stations in Phoenix, Arizona. Four crew members were killed by this accident.
On 15 September 2007, former World Rally Championship driver Colin McRae and three passengers were killed when his AS350 B2 Squirrel, which he was piloting, crashed near Lanark, Scotland.
On 8 August 2009, a Piper PA-32R collided with an AS350 over the Hudson River, with both aircraft crashing into the Hudson River. There were no survivors from the crash.
On 10 June 2012, an AS350 B3e belonging to the Kenya Police Air Wing crashed in Kibiku area in Ngong Forest, west of Nairobi, Kenya killing at least six people, including Kenya’s Interior Security Minister George Saitoti and his deputy Orwa Ojode.

Specifications (AS350 B3) ²

General Characteristics

Crew: 1
Capacity: 5
Length: 10.93 m (35 ft 10½ in)
Rotor diameter: 10.69 m (35 ft 1 in)
Height: 3.14 m (10 ft 3½ in)
Disc area: 89.75 m² (966.1 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,174 kg (2,588 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 2,250 kg (4,960 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Turbomeca Arriel 2B turboshaft, 632 kW (847 shp)

Performance

Never exceed speed: 287 km/h (155 knots, 178 mph)
Cruise speed: 245 km/h (132 knots, 152 mph)
Range: 662 km (357 nm, 411 mi)
Endurance: 4.1 hrs
Service ceiling: 4,600 m (15,100 ft)
Rate of climb: 8.5 m/s (1,675 ft/min)

Avionics

Vehicle and Engine Monitoring Display (VEMD) with First Limit Indicator (FLI) fitted as standard.

References

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Eurocopter AS350