Eurocopter EC 225
Encyclopedia
The Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma Mk II+ is a long-range passenger transport helicopter
developed by Eurocopter as the next generation in the civilian Super Puma
family. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 24 passengers along with 2 crew and a cabin attendant, dependent on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for offshore support and VIP passenger transport duties, as well as public service missions.
in July 2004.
Makila 2A1
turboshaft
engines mounted over the cabin, which feature a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)
system and anti-icing system to enable it to operate in very cold climates. Other improvements include a reinforced main rotor gearbox and a full glass cockpit
with Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays
.
There are currently 4 configurations designed by Eurocopter for the EC225. The passenger transport version has seating arrangements for 19 passengers with a high-density seating arrangement accommodating up to 24 passengers. The VIP
transport version has a large VIP lounge with seating for 8 passengers and a cabin attendant. The Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
configuration has medical units for 6 stretchers and 4 seats for medical workers. Finally, the SAR
configuration allows for Search & Rescue equipment with an operator seat, hoistman seat and up to 8 rescue seats and 3 stretchers.
became the first country to use the EC225 when the Algerian Ministerial Air Liaisons Group (GLAM) received one in December 2004 for VIP
transport duties.
EC225 Firefighting/SAR
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...
developed by Eurocopter as the next generation in the civilian Super Puma
Eurocopter Super Puma
The Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter marketed for both civil and military use. Originally designed and built by Aérospatiale, it is an enlarged and re-engined version of the original Aérospatiale Puma...
family. It is a twin-engined aircraft and can carry up to 24 passengers along with 2 crew and a cabin attendant, dependent on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for offshore support and VIP passenger transport duties, as well as public service missions.
Development
The EC225 development was announced by Eurocopter in June 1998, with the first prototype performing its maiden flight on 27 November 2000. It received safety certification from the European Aviation Safety AgencyEuropean Aviation Safety Agency
The European Aviation Safety Agency is an agency of the European Union with offices in Cologne, Germany, which has been given regulatory and executive tasks in the field of civilian aviation safety. It was created on 15 July 2002, and it reached full functionality in 2008, taking over functions...
in July 2004.
Design
The EC225 is based on the Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma, improving upon the design with a five-blade main rotor incorporating a new airfoil shape to reduce vibration levels. The helicopter is powered by two TurbomecaTurbomeca
Turbomeca is a French manufacturer of low- and medium-power gas turbine turboshaft engines for helicopters. The company also produces gas turbine engines for aircraft and missiles, as well as turbines for land, industrial and marine applications...
Makila 2A1
Turbomeca Makila
-External links:*...
turboshaft
Turboshaft
A turboshaft engine is a form of gas turbine which is optimized to produce free turbine shaft power, rather than jet thrust...
engines mounted over the cabin, which feature a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)
FADEC
Full Authority Digital Engine Control is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an electronic engine controller or engine control unit , and its related accessories that control all aspects of aircraft engine performance...
system and anti-icing system to enable it to operate in very cold climates. Other improvements include a reinforced main rotor gearbox and a full glass cockpit
Glass cockpit
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays, typically large LCD screens, as opposed to the traditional style of analog dials and gauges...
with Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays
Active-matrix liquid crystal display
An active matrix liquid crystal display is a type of flat panel display, currently the overwhelming choice of notebook computer manufacturers, due to low weight, very good image quality, wide color gamut and response time...
.
There are currently 4 configurations designed by Eurocopter for the EC225. The passenger transport version has seating arrangements for 19 passengers with a high-density seating arrangement accommodating up to 24 passengers. The VIP
Very Important Person
A Very Important Person, or VIP is a person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance.Examples include celebrities, heads of state/heads of government, major employers, high rollers, politicians, high-level corporate officers, wealthy individuals, or any other...
transport version has a large VIP lounge with seating for 8 passengers and a cabin attendant. The Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
Emergency medical services
Emergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...
configuration has medical units for 6 stretchers and 4 seats for medical workers. Finally, the SAR
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
configuration allows for Search & Rescue equipment with an operator seat, hoistman seat and up to 8 rescue seats and 3 stretchers.
Operational history
AlgeriaAlgeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
became the first country to use the EC225 when the Algerian Ministerial Air Liaisons Group (GLAM) received one in December 2004 for VIP
Very Important Person
A Very Important Person, or VIP is a person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance.Examples include celebrities, heads of state/heads of government, major employers, high rollers, politicians, high-level corporate officers, wealthy individuals, or any other...
transport duties.
Variants
EC225 LP- An improved variant of the AS332 L2.
EC225 Firefighting/SAR
- EC225 with water bombing kits, FLIR, and all-weather radar for search, rescue, and firefighting operations.
Operators
- Algeria'sAlgeriaAlgeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
Ministerial Air Liaisons Group operates 2 aircraft for VIP transport duties serving the Presidency of the Algerian Republic.
- CHC Helicopter CorporationCHC HelicopterCHC Helicopter is one of the world’s largest helicopter services company specializing in: Transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms; Civilian search and rescue services; Helicopter maintenance repair and overhaul...
ordered 22 aircraft in 2007 to support the offshore oil & gas industry in the North SeaNorth SeaIn the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
, with possibilities for search and rescue duties. They are expected to be delivered between 2008 and 2012.Ordered further 20 in 2011
- French Naval Aviation placed an off-the-shelf order for two EC225s as a short-term replacement for the Aérospatiale Super FrelonAérospatiale Super FrelonThe Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon is a three-engined heavy transport helicopter produced by Aérospatiale of France. The helicopter is still in use in China where the locally produced version is known as the Z-8. "Frelon" is French for hornet....
helicopters of Flotille 32F, with the first delivered on 22 April 2010.
- The Japan Ground Self-Defense ForceJapan Ground Self-Defense ForceThe , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
operates 1 helicopter in the VIP configuration for the Japanese Emperor’sEmperor of JapanThe Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
Royal Flight Service and used to transport the Japanese Emperor, Prime Minister and official guests. - The Japan Coast GuardJapan Coast GuardThe , formerly the Maritime Safety Agency, is the Japanese coast guard. Comprising about 12,000 personnel, it is under the oversight of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and is responsible for the protection the coast-lines of Japan...
operates 2 aircraft for Transport and Search & Rescue duties.
- The air charterAir charterAir charter is the business of renting an entire aircraft as opposed to individual aircraft seats...
operator Aeropersonal use 3 EC-225 in special VIP charters
- CHC Norway operates 8 EC225s for oil & gas support as transports and stationed offshore in the All Weather SARSearch and rescueSearch and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
(AWSAR) role. - Bristow Norway operates 2 EC225s for transport and SARSearch and rescueSearch and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
.
- China's Ministry of Transport ordered 2 aircraft in 2006 for their Rescue & Salvage Bureau, they are equipped for Search & Rescue (SAR)Search and rescueSearch and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
duties. Following the successful operation of the initial 2 EC225, a second order of 2 more EC225s was signed in 2009, these were delivered in June and August of 2011, respectively. - Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. (COHC) ordered 2 aircraft in 2006 and expected to be delivered at the end of 2007. The aircraft will be in the offshore configuration and equipped with auxiliary pod fuel tanks for increased range.
- One ordered by the Guangdong Public Security BureauPublic Security BureauIn the People's Republic of China, a public security bureau refers to the government offices while the smaller offices are called Police posts which are similar in concept to the Japanese Kōban system) present in each province and municipality that handles policing , public security, and...
- The ROCAF confirmed the order for 3 EC225s on 3 February 2010 with an option for 17 more, the initial batch of 3 EC225s was completed in June 2011 and delivery is expected to take place late in the year.
- At least one firefighting and SAR variant of EC225 is serving with the National 119 Rescue Service.
- The National Police Corps of Spain operates 1 helicopter since September 2010
- The Spanish Maritime Safety Agency has confirmed on August 15, 2011 an order for 1 aircraft that will be delivered in 2012 for search and rescue and water protection duties.
- Bristow HelicoptersBristow HelicoptersBristow Helicopters is a British helicopter airline originally based at Aberdeen Airport, Scotland, part of the Bristow Group based in Houston, Texas, USA....
operates 8 aircraft for North SeaNorth SeaIn the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
operations supporting the oil & gas industry. Bristow in Australia also operate 3 - Bond Offshore HelicoptersBond Offshore HelicoptersBond Offshore Helicopters is a British Helicopter operator, specialising in providing offshore helicopter transportation services between Aberdeen, Scotland and several North Sea Oil platforms...
operate from AberdeenAberdeenAberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
to North Sea oil and gas platforms.
- Southern Flight Service Company bought one aircraft to use for offshore rescue efforts and VIP flights. It has also ordered one more.
Competitions
- EC225 is a candidate for the Norwegian All Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) that is planned to replace the Westland Sea King Mk.43BWestland Sea KingThe Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...
of the Royal Norwegian Air ForceRoyal Norwegian Air ForceThe Royal Norwegian Air Force is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees . 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF...
in 2015. The other candidates for the NAWSARH contract of 10-12 helicopters are AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin, Bell Boeing V-22 OspreyV-22 OspreyThe Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing , and short takeoff and landing capability...
, NHIndustries NH-90NHI NH90The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
and Sikorsky S-92Sikorsky S-92The Sikorsky S-92 is a four-bladed twin-engine medium-lift helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the civil and military helicopter market. The S-92 was developed from the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter and has similar parts such as flight control and rotor systems.The H-92 Superhawk is a military...
.
- The EC225 was also competing with Sikorsky S-92Sikorsky S-92The Sikorsky S-92 is a four-bladed twin-engine medium-lift helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the civil and military helicopter market. The S-92 was developed from the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter and has similar parts such as flight control and rotor systems.The H-92 Superhawk is a military...
to become the future UK Search and Rescue - Helicopter (SAR-H Programme)
Accidents and Incidents
- 18 February 2009. G-REDU a EC225LP from Bond Offshore Helicopters containing 16 passengers and 2 crew, ditched into the North sea 120 miles east of Aberdeen. All 18 aboard were rescued. Controlled flight into terrainControlled flight into terrainControlled flight into terrain describes an accident in which an airworthy aircraft, under pilot control, is unintentionally flown into the ground, a mountain, water, or an obstacle. The term was coined by engineers at Boeing in the late 1970s...
is believed to be the reason for the crash. See April 2009 North Sea helicopter crashApril 2009 North Sea helicopter crashThe April 2009 North Sea helicopter crash, which involved a Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma Mk 2 belonging to Bond Offshore Helicopters, engaged on flight 85N, that crashed northeast of Peterhead, Scotland just before 2:00 pm on 1 April 2009 in the North Sea while returning from a BP oil...
for a nearby incident with the same aircraft family and operator six weeks later.