Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil

The Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil (Squirrel) is a single-engine light helicopter originally designed and manufactured in France by Aérospatiale (now Airbus Helicopters). In North America, the AS350 is marketed as the AStar. The AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engine variant, marketed in North America as the TwinStar. The Eurocopter EC130 is a derivative of the AS350 airframe and is considered to be part of the Écureuil single-engine family.

Development
In the early 1970s, Aérospatiale initiated a development program to replace the aging Alouette II design. The result of this program was the AS350. The first prototype, powered by a Lycoming LTS101 turboshaft made its maiden flight on 27 June 1974, with the second prototype, powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 1A following on 14 February 1975. The Arriel powered version, the AS350B, intended for sale throughout the world except for North America, was certified in France on 27 October 1977, while the Lycoming powered AS350C (or AStar) was certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration on 21 December 1977. In March 1978, deliveries to customers began for the AS350B, deliveries of the AS350C began in April 1978.

Over time, the AS350 Écureuil/AStar has received further development; while the aircraft's design remains broadly similar, various aspects and systems such as the rotor system, powerplants, and avionics have been progressively improved. Conversion programs and addons for AS350s have been produced and are offered by multiple third-party 'aftermarket' aerospace firms in addition to those available directly from the type's prime manufacturer. New variants of the Arriel-powered AS350B, the AS350 B1, AS350 B2, and AS350 B3, have been introduced; the later B3 differing from preceding models by the increasing use of digital systems, such as the Garmin-built G500H avionics suite and FADEC engine control system.

Prior to 2013, the type had been manufactured principally at Eurocopter's Marignane facility, near Marseille, France; Eurocopter opted to, as part of a move to disperse its helicopter production activities, begin AS350 production and final assembly activities at its factory in Columbus, Missouri for deliveries to U.S. commercial helicopter market. The Astar has been Eurocopter's biggest-selling product in the US commercial market, at one point selling roughly one AS350 every business day. In March 2015, the first Columbus-assembled AS350 B3e received its FAA certification.

Design
The AS350 is a single engine helicopter, powered either by a Lycoming LTS101 or Turbomeca Arriel powerplant (for twin-engined variants, see Eurocopter AS355), that drives a three-blade Starflex main rotor. The type is well known for its high-altitude performance and has seen frequent use by operators in such environments. Both the main and tail rotors make use of composite material and are deliberately designed to minimize corrosion and maintenance requirements. The AS350 was also developed to comply with the stringent noise requirements in place in locations such as national parks, passengers can also readily converse during flight. The aircraft can also be quickly started up and shut down, which is often useful during emergency medical services roles. It has hydraulically assisted flight controls, the controls remains operational, albeit with more difficulty, during a hydraulic failure.

Much of the AS350's avionics are provided by Garmin, such as the GI106A course-deviation indicator, GNS430 VHF/VOR/localizer/glideslope indicator/Global Positioning System receiver, GTX327 Mode A and C transponder, and GMA340H intercom. The Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) and the First Limit Indicator (FLI) both serve to increase the aircraft's safety during flight, reducing the number of gauges that need to be monitored by the pilot. For increased smoothness in flight, which positively affects passenger comfort as well as safety, stability augmentation systems can be installed. Later-production aircraft have new design features such as the integration of an Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) and autopilot, a glass cockpit featuring three LCD displays and digital avionics, like synthetic-vision terrain mapping and Airbus's “Multibloc” center console for mounting various radios.

The AS350 has proven popular in a wide range of roles; as such, multiple cabin configurations can be used, between four and six passengers in a typical seating configuration, and large sliding doors can be fitted to either side of the cabin. With some operators, cabin equipment has been designed to enable the internal space to be rapidly reconfigured for differing operational roles. Public service operators, such as those in law enforcement, often have forward looking infrared and other mission systems installed on their aircraft. Other optional equipment includes real-time data links, rescue hoists, underslung cargo hooks, internal cabin tie-downs, and removable seats. Older aircraft often undergo refurbishment programs to install aftermarket features, or those common to newer production aircraft, such as the glass cockpit.

Operational history
On 14 May 2005, an AS350 B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle touched down on the top of Mount Everest, at 8848 m. this record has been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. On 29 April 2010, a stripped-down AS350 B3 rescued three Spanish alpinists, one at a time, from the slopes of Annapurna I, Nepal at an altitude of 6900 m; this set a new record for the highest such rescue. The record was increased to 7800 m, during the rescue of Sudarshan Gautam between Camps III & IV in Everest's Yellow Band on the morning of 20 May 2013. On 2 June 2014, an AS350 B3e broke a national record in Mexico by successfully landing on the peak of Pico de Orizaba, the nation's tallest mountain.

The AS350 AStar has been successful in the US market, having become the most popular helicopter platform in use with individual American governmental agencies, law enforcement being a typical use of the type, by 2015. By 1999, the AS350 had become the prime helicopter being used by the United States Customs Service for light enforcement operations; by 2007, the agency had become the single largest operator of the type in the world. By 2012, out of the 3,300 AS350s in operation across the world, 783 of them were in service with American-based operators.

In the Russian market since 2006, the AS350 and other helicopters built by the manufacturer have been sold and supported by wholly owned subsidiary Eurocopter Vostok; UTair Aviation soon emerged as the largest Russian operator of the AS350 B3e with a fleet of at least 20 of the type.

Brazil has been an extensive operator of the AS350; by 2011 more than 300 helicopters were operating in the country in various conditions and roles, including from the flight deck of the Brazilian aircraft carrier São Paulo (A12). Since 1984, the Brazilian Navy has used AS350s to support the Brazilian Antarctic Program. Helibras, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eurocopter, operates in the country; of the 600 helicopters it had domestically manufactured for the Brazilian market by 2012, 70% were AS350s. In January 2011, Helibras signed a contract with the Brazilian Army to substantially upgrade and refurbish their existing fleet of 36 AS350 Ecureuils.

In the United Kingdom, the Defence Helicopter Flying School has operated 26 AS350, designated Squirrel HT1, for the training of pilots of Britain's armed forces; the type was progressively introduced from 1997 onwards as a replacement for the Aérospatiale Gazelle. In September 2014, the UK's Ministry Of Defence issued a request for proposals to replace the Squirrel HT1; Airbus Helicopters has already announced its intention to offer a mixed fleet of Eurocopter EC130s and Eurocopter EC135s in response. Since May 1984, the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Arm has operated a fleet of AS350s, these were upgraded to the AS350 BA standard in 1995; the Royal Australian Air Force had previously operated the AS350 for training purposes, and briefly for search and rescue missions, but these were later transferred to the Australian Army.

Between June 2007 and December 2007, the Danish Air Force operated a deployment of four AS350 helicopters at Basra International Airport, Iraq, to perform liaison and reconnaissance missions in support of coalition forces during the Iraq War. In June 2015, the Argentine Defense Ministry ordered 12 H125s to replace their 1970s era Aérospatiale SA 315B Lamas for para-public support missions, such as search and rescue operations, inside Argentina.

Variants

 * 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.


 * 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.
 * 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.


 * 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 the summit of 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.
 * 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 the summit of 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.


 * Powered by a Arriel 1B engine and fitted with wider chord AS355 main rotor blades and tail rotor servo.
 * 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 AS350BB in operation with British Military, through the Defence Helicopter Flying School as a training helicopter.


 * Eurocopter Squirrel HT.2
 * Designation of AS350BB in operation with British Army Air Corps as a training helicopter, based at Middle Wallop.


 * 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 510kW (684shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D turboshaft engine. Superseded by AS350 L2.


 * AS350 L2
 * Military derivative of AS350 B2, powered by a 546kW (732shp) 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

 * Soloy SD1, Super D
 * AS350 BA powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.


 * Soloy AllStar
 * AS350 BA powered by a Rolls Royce 250-C30 engine.


 * Soloy SD2
 * 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
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 and government operators

 * Argentine National Gendarmerie
 * Buenos Aires Province Police
 * Royal Australian Navy
 * Bolivian Air Force
 * Botswana Defence Force Air Wing
 * Brazilian Navy
 * Brazilian Air Force
 * Brazilian Army
 * Royal Cambodian Air Force
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * Royal Canadian Mounted Police
 * Central African Republic Air Force
 * Chilean Army
 * National Gendarmerie
 * Gabonese Air Force
 * 🇬🇳 Guinea
 * Guinea Air Force
 * 🇮🇸 Iceland
 * Icelandic Coast Guard
 * Royal Jordanian Air Force
 * Malawi Army Air Wing
 * undefined
 * Mali Air Force
 * Nepalese Army Air Service
 * Paraguayan Air Force
 * Paraguayan Naval Aviation
 * Ministry of Defence
 * South African Police Service
 * Defence Helicopter Flying School
 * Customs and Border Protection
 * Los Angeles Police Department
 * Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
 * Baltimore County Police Department
 * Philadelphia Police Department
 * Texas Department of Public Safety
 * Nepalese Army Air Service
 * Paraguayan Air Force
 * Paraguayan Naval Aviation
 * Ministry of Defence
 * South African Police Service
 * Defence Helicopter Flying School
 * Customs and Border Protection
 * Los Angeles Police Department
 * Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
 * Baltimore County Police Department
 * Philadelphia Police Department
 * Texas Department of Public Safety
 * Customs and Border Protection
 * Los Angeles Police Department
 * Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
 * Baltimore County Police Department
 * Philadelphia Police Department
 * Texas Department of Public Safety

Notable accidents and incidents

 * On 14 December 2004 an AS350-B3 medical transport helicopter operated by Air Evac of Arizona crashed on final approach while attempting to land on an emergency scene in Apache Junction, Arizona. Flight Medic Doreen Renee Johnson, 26, was killed on impact. The pilot Susanna Corcoles and Flight Nurse Kelly Foster-Stopka sustained serious but non life-threatening injuries.
 * On 27 July 2007, two AS350s 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 in 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 29 April 2011, a Pawan Hans AS350 B-3 helicopter carrying Dorjee Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, and four other people, went missing. It was traced four days later near Lobthang. All five people were found dead
 * On 26 August 2011, an AS350 B2 emergency helicopter crashed near Mosby, Missouri, due to lack of fuel, killing all 4 people on board. Its rotor speed was not recovered within the mandatory 2 seconds.
 * 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.
 * On 31 March 2013, an AS350 B3 Astar belonging to the Alaska State Troopers crashed near Talkeetna, Alaska, killing all three aboard. The helicopter, piloted by Mel Nading, 55, of Anchorage, was on a rescue mission to recover injured snowmobiler Carl Ober, 56, of Talkeetna.  The crash also claimed the life of Alaska State Trooper Tage Toll, a former Kansas state highway patrolman.
 * On 22 October 2013, an AS350 B3 medical transport helicopter operated by Memphis, Tennessee-based Hospital Wing crashed near Somerville, Tennessee, while en route to Bolivar, Tennessee. Three personnel onboard (one Hospital Wing pilot and the medial team of one flight nurse and one respiratory therapist from Le Bonheur Children's Hospital) were killed in the accident.
 * On 18 March 2014, an AS350 B2 owned by Helicopters Inc. and being used as a temporary replacement by KOMO-TV and KING-TV in Seattle, Washington, crashed across the street from the Fisher Plaza while attempting to take off from the rooftop of the studios of KOMO. The two people on board, pilot Gary Pfitzner and photographer Bill Strothman, were killed.  The sole occupant of a passenger car onto which the helicopter fell was severely burned and taken to Harborview Medical Center.  Two additional vehicles caught fire from the burning fuel, but the drivers escaped injury.  According to eyewitnesses and security camera recordings, the helicopter yawed 360 degrees and pitched down while attempting to lift off the helipad.
 * On 9 April 2014, a new AS350 B3E in medical service owned by Petroleum Helicopters Inc. crashed departing the rooftop helipad at University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot and two medical crew members survived. Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft rose 25 to 30 feet from the helipad and pitched to the right, coming to rest with the tail over the edge of the roof, with the cabin, largely intact, on its right side.
 * On 7 June 2014, a Helibrás HB-350BA crashed after takeoff, in Aruanã, Goiás state, Brazil. All on board died, including retired soccer player Fernandão.
 * On 9 March 2015, two AS350B3 collided mid air in La Rioja Province, Argentina, killing all 10 people on board both aircraft. The passengers, including a number of French athletes, were participants in the filming of French reality television program fr.
 * On 2 June 2015, a Mountain Helicopters helicopter (9N-AJP) crashed in a forest in Yamuna village of Sindhupalchok district Nepal, killing at least five people. The helicopter had flown to Sindhupalchok to distribute relief materials to earthquake victims.
 * On 3 July 2015, a AS350 B3 Flight-for-Life helicopter was taking off from St. Anthony Summit Medical Center, Frisco, Colorado on a non-medical call when it spiraled out of control and struck the ground. Witnesses said the helicopter was trying to gain altitude in windy conditions when it lost control. The pilot, 64-year-old Patrick Mahany, a twice-decorated Vietnam veteran and a Flight for Life pilot for over 28 years, was killed; two other crew members onboard survived.
 * On 14 July 2015 a Ecureuil AS350B3 from Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland based Air Glaciers on a transportation flight (probably to mountain hut Guggihütte; not confirmed) crashed for yet unknown reason on the Guggi Glacier just north of Jungfraujoch. The 51 years old pilot and only person on the aircraft died on the spot.

Specifications (AS350 B3)


† 4, 5, & 6 passengers options available. The 6 passenger configuration is a relatively uncommon high-density seating option that replaces one front seat with a two-person bench and relocates the pilot to the left side of the cockpit.