Eurocopter EC130

The Eurocopter EC130 is a single engine light helicopter developed from the AS350 Ecureuil airframe. Eurocopter has called the EC130 "the Alouette III successor".

Design and development
The EC130 is a wide body variant of the AS350 B3 and was first flown on 24 June 1999 by Australian test pilot, Steven Page. The EC130 features an enclosed tail fan rather than the traditional tail rotor found on the older AS350. This Fenestron has unevenly spaced blades which has the advantage of reducing outside noise by 50% compared to a tail rotor, resulting in an FAA Appendix H fly-over noise signature of 84.3 EPNdB, 8.5 dB below stage two limits. The EC130 was designed in close cooperation with tour operators, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters being the launch operator, and features a spacious cockpit with excellent external visibility, capable of accommodating seven tourists. The EC130 entered service with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in 2001, and is now a common sight in Hawaii and the Grand Canyon.

The EC130 is also quickly becoming popular within the air medical services (AMS) community, due to its large cabin (capable of accommodating one or two stretchers), wide side door and enclosed Fenestron anti-torque device.

In 2012, Eurocopter received orders for 50 EC130T2 from Maverick Helicopters, and other customers such as Papillon and Blue Hawaiian took the total to 105.

Variants



 * EC130 B4
 * basic version.

Upgraded airframe, engines (Turbomecca Ariel 2D), and increased performance.
 * EC130T2

Operators

 * 12 Apostles Helicopters
 * Paraná State Police
 * R&R Aviation
 * Ontario Ministry Of Natural Resources
 * Silverline Helicopters Inc.
 * Heli Air Monaco
 * Over The Top Helicopters
 * Heli Holland
 * Helibravo Helicopters
 * Falcon Aviation Services
 * Air Methods
 * Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
 * Broward County Sheriff's Office
 * Long Beach Police Department
 * Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
 * Helibravo Helicopters
 * Falcon Aviation Services
 * Air Methods
 * Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
 * Broward County Sheriff's Office
 * Long Beach Police Department
 * Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters
 * Broward County Sheriff's Office
 * Long Beach Police Department
 * Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters