Eurocopter Colibri
Encyclopedia
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
. Jointly designed and developed by Eurocopter, China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation
China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation
China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation is a leading trading corporation of China, its core business is aviation defense product, both import and export.-A Brief Introduction of the CATIC:...
(CATIC), Harbin Aviation Industries (Group) Ltd
Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation , often shortened to Hafei, is an aircraft manufacturing company located in Harbin, the capital of the Heilongjiang Province of the People's Republic of China....
(HAI) and Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd
ST Aerospace
Singapore Technologies Aerospace is a subsidiary of ST Engineering based in Singapore, with international offices and facilities located in key aviation hubs in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the US...
(STAero) at Eurocopter France's Marignane
Marignane
Marignane is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southern France.-Geography:It is a component of the metropolitan Marseille Provence Métropole, and the largest suburb of the city of Marseille...
facility, the EC120 B is assembled by Eurocopter in France and Australia. In China, the aircraft is produced by Harbin as the HC120.
Eurocopter has a 61% interest in the project, with CATIC owning 24% and STAero with 15% share.
Design and development
The EC120 B is mostly built from composite materials and has a fenestronFenestron
A Fenestron is a shrouded tail rotor of a helicopter that is essentially a ducted fan. The housing is integral with the tail skin, and, like the conventional tail rotor it replaces, is intended to counteract the torque of the main rotor...
tail rotor, making it a particularly quiet helicopter (FAA Appendix J flyover noise signature = 78.7 dB SEL, 6.7 dB SEL below Stage 2 limits). Certified to FAR 27 standards, the EC120 B also features crash-resistant seats and a crash-resistant fuel system.
The design of the Colibri's wide cabin makes it suitable for wide variety of civilian and parapublic missions, such as utility transport, offshore transport, training, law enforcement, casualty evacuation
Air ambulance
An air ambulance is an aircraft used for emergency medical assistance in situations where either a traditional ambulance cannot reach the scene easily or quickly enough, or the patient needs to be transported over a distance or terrain that makes air transportation the most practical transport....
and corporate transport. In the casualty evacuation role, the helicopter can carry one pilot and one stretcher patient as well as one or two medical attendants. For cargo carrying, the Colibri can carry one pilot plus 2.94 cubic meters (103.9 cu. ft.) of total useful load volume (cabin and hold). The EC120's 0.8 cubic meter (28.3 cu. ft.) hold is accessible from the side and rear.
In addition to its civilian roles, the Colibri is also used by the military for training, observation and light utility missions. In the latter role, it can carry a sling load cargo of up to 700 kg (1,543 lb).
The EC120 B is able to carry equipment such as FLIR
Forward looking infrared
Forward looking infrared cameras, typically used on military aircraft, use an imaging technology that senses infrared radiation.The sensors installed in forward looking infrared cameras, as well as those of other thermal imaging cameras, use detection of infrared radiation, typically emitted from a...
cameras, spotlights and other useful tools. Some law enforcement agencies using the EC120 B include: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs and immigration. CBP is the...
, the Edmonton Police Service
Edmonton Police Service
Edmonton Police Service is the municipal police force for the City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.-Organization:The current head of the EPS is Roderick Knecht....
, Calgary Police Service
Calgary Police Service
Calgary Police Service, formed in 1885, is the municipal police force for the City of Calgary, Alberta.- Organization :Founded in 1885, the current head of the CPS is Chief Rick Hanson...
, the York Regional Police
York Regional Police
York Regional Police is a law enforcement organization that serves over 1.1 million residents in the York Region, Ontario, Canada, located north of Toronto...
, and the Albuquerque Police Department.
Operational history
The first EC120 B was delivered in 1998 and by 2008, Eurocopter had already delivered more than 550 Colibris to various customers.In 2004, the United States Department of Homeland Security
United States Department of Homeland Security
The United States Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government, created in response to the September 11 attacks, and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to...
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs and immigration. CBP is the...
(CBP) selected the EC120 B to meet its Light Sign Cutter requirement, a program potentially involving 55 aircraft with a total value of US$ 75 million in then-year dollars. In 2006, the CBP ordered 15 EC120 B helicopters, with a further 5 aircraft since ordered.
In January 2008, the French Defense Ministry selected the EC120 as the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
's new lead-in rotary-wing trainer, replacing the Aérospatiale Gazelle
Aérospatiale Gazelle
The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...
. 36 EC120 Bs equipped with Sagem
SAGEM
SAGEM was a major French company involved in defence electronics, consumer electronics and communication systems.In 2005, Sagem merged with SNECMA to form SAFRAN...
avionics will be operated through a 22-year public-private partnership
Public-private partnership
Public–private partnership describes a government service or private business venture which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies...
(PPP), with the first aircraft due to arrive in 2010.
Variants
- EC-120 B Colibri: Standard designation (original designation during development was "P-120")
- HC-120: Chinese-built variant of the EC120
Civil operators
The EC120 is used by both private individuals and companies, helicopter charter and training organisations.
- One in service as a newshelicopter with TV2 of Denmark.
- Two in service with EON Aviation Pvt. Ltd., Pune and Godhawat Industries, Kolhapur.
- In service with private company "Heliportugal".
- Two in service with Fiskflyg AB in PorjusPorjusPorjus is a locality situated in Jokkmokk Municipality, Norrbotten County, Sweden with 317 inhabitants in 2005. Geographically it is situated by the shores of Lule River at 499 meter height....
and Stora Sjöfallet in Northern Sweden. Both have reinforced floor to handle the large variation of loads carried. - Three in service with Jämtlands FlygJämtlands FlygJämtlands Flyg AB is a Swedish helicopter company that specialise in both Aerial and charter work. They operate out of the main heliport Göviken in the city of Östersund, in Jämtland County...
in Östersund. Equipped for aerial work, i.e. external cargo hook. - One in service with Barken Timmer AB
- One in service with Heli Offshore Pty Ltd. in Cape Town.
Government and Law Enforcement
- Four EC-120 are currently operated by the Highway Federal Police, Air Operations Division.
- York Regional PoliceYork Regional PoliceYork Regional Police is a law enforcement organization that serves over 1.1 million residents in the York Region, Ontario, Canada, located north of Toronto...
– 1 EC120B - Calgary Police ServiceCalgary Police ServiceCalgary Police Service, formed in 1885, is the municipal police force for the City of Calgary, Alberta.- Organization :Founded in 1885, the current head of the CPS is Chief Rick Hanson...
– 1 EC120B - Edmonton Police ServiceEdmonton Police ServiceEdmonton Police Service is the municipal police force for the City of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.-Organization:The current head of the EPS is Roderick Knecht....
– 2 EC120B - RCMP "E" Division – 2 EC120B shared with Vancouver Police and other Lower Mainland police forces
- Winnipeg Police ServiceWinnipeg Police ServiceThe Winnipeg Police Service is the police force of the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.-History:When Winnipeg became a city in 1873, an election was held to select the city's new Mayor and Aldermen. Those appointed decided to hire city officials, including a Chief Constable. On February 23,...
– 1 EC120B
- One in service with the Public Security Bureau in Guandong provinceMinistry of Public Security of the People's Republic of ChinaThe Ministry of Public Security , is the principal police and security authority of the mainland of the People's Republic of China and the government agency that exercises oversight over and is ultimately responsible for day-to-day law enforcement...
- Six in service with the German Federal PoliceGerman Federal PoliceThe Bundespolizei is a uniformed federal police force in Germany. It is subordinate to the Federal Ministry of the Interior...
to be used for pilot training.
- Two in service with State Border Guard ServiceState Border Guard Service (Lithuania)The State Border Guard Service is the organisation charged with controlling and maintaining the Lithuanian Border. The State Border Guard Service falls under authority of the Ministry of the Interior, which supervises and controls the implementation of border guard policy.-1918-1940:Following the...
from 2003, used primarily for air surveillance, patrol and training.
- Five in service with Federal Preventive PoliceFederal Preventive PoliceThe Federal Police , formerly known as the Policía Federal Preventiva , are the uniformed federal police force of Mexico...
.
- Seven in service with the DGT (National Traffic Authority).
- Two in service with the Cuerpo Nacional de Policía (National Police).
USA
- One in service with Albuquerque Police Department, providing airborne law enforcement support over Albuquerque, New MexicoAlbuquerque, New MexicoAlbuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. - One in service with Austin Police DepartmentAustin Police DepartmentAustin Police Department is the principal law enforcement agency serving Austin, Texas, United States. As of Fiscal Year 2010, the agency had an annual budget of more than $240 million and employed around 2,200 personnel, including approximately 1,600 officers...
. - Four in service with the Baltimore, MD Police Department.
- Two in service with the Fresno Police DepartmentFresno Police DepartmentThe Fresno Police Department is responsible for policing the city of Fresno, California, in the United States. The Chief of Police since August 2001, is Jerry Dyer . The city experiences between 30 and 69 willful homicides in a typical year...
. - One in service with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
- Three in service with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, providing airborne law enforcement support over Manatee County, FloridaManatee County, FloridaManatee County is a county in the state of Florida. According to the 2010 census by the U.S. Census Bureau there are 322,833 people living in Manatee Country.Manatee County is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. - Three in service with the Costa Mesa Police Department and Newport Beach Police Department (California) (as Airborne Law Enforcement Services), providing airborne law enforcement support over the cities of Costa Mesa, California;Newport Beach, CaliforniaNewport Beach, CaliforniaNewport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
; and Santa Ana, California (by contract). - Three in service with the Sacramento County Sheriff's DepartmentSacramento County Sheriff's DepartmentThe Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, abbreviated as SSD, is a local law enforcement agency that serves Sacramento County, California. It provides general-service law enforcement to unincorporated areas of Sacramento County, as well as incorporated cities within the county that have...
and used by its Air Support Bureau to conduct police patrols and supporting Homeland Defense personnel in Sacramento, CaliforniaSacramento, CaliforniaSacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
. - One in service with the San José Police Department.
- Fifteen in service with U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionU.S. Customs and Border ProtectionU.S. Customs and Border Protection is a federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs and immigration. CBP is the...
, used for low-level surveillance and security patrol of the U.S. border. Deliveries commenced in 2006 and are on-going, with another five EC120s on order. - One in service with the City of Miami Police Department.
Military operators
- People's Liberation Army Air ForcePeople's Liberation Army Air ForceThe People's Liberation Army Air Force is the aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of the People's Republic of China...
: operates 26× HC-120 with another 130 on order.
- French Army Light AviationFrench Army Light AviationThe French Army Light Aviation is the aviation service of the French Army.-History:The French Army Light Aviation was established on 22 November 1954 for observation, reconnaissance, assault and supply duties.-Composition:...
(ALAT): Total of 36 EC120B was ordered to replace the 54 SA341/342 GazellesAérospatiale GazelleThe Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...
in the flight training role. The last EC120B was delivered on 10 October 2010 to HeliDax, a private consortium contracted by the French Army to undertake flight training for the French Army's flight training school at DaxDax, LandesDax is a commune in Aquitaine in south-western France, sub-prefecture of the Landes department.It is particularly famous as a spa, specialising in mud treatment for rheumatism and similar ailments....
.
- Indonesian Air ForceIndonesian Air ForceThe Indonesian Air Force is the air force branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.The Indonesian Air Force has 34,930 personnel equipped with 110 combat aircraft including Su-27 and Su-30.-Before Indonesian independence :...
: operates 11× EC120B. - Indonesian NavyIndonesian NavyThe role of the Indonesian Navy is to patrol of Indonesia's immense coastline, to ensure safeguard the territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone , to protect Indonesia's maritime strategic interests, to protect the islands surrounded Indonesia and to defend against seaborne threats. The TNI...
: operates 3× EC120B.
- Republic of Singapore Air ForceRepublic of Singapore Air ForceThe Republic of Singapore Air Force is the air arm of the Singapore Armed Forces. It was first established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command...
- 124 Sqn operates 5× EC120B.
- Fifteen in service with the Spanish Air ForceSpanish Air Force-The early stages:Hot air balloons had been used with military purposes in Spain as far back as 1896. In 1905, with the help of Alfredo Kindelán, Leonardo Torres y Quevedo directed the construction of the first Spanish dirigible in the Army Military Aerostatics Service, created in 1896 and located...
as training helicopters.
Specifications (EC120 B)
See also
External links
- Official Eurocopter EC120 B Website
- EC120 webpage on American Eurocopter website
- UK-CAA & JAA Type Certificate Data Sheet
- Harbin Aviation Industries producer of the HC120