EC135

Eurocopter has received a firm order for one EC135 helicopter from Ghodawat Industries following the recent Aero India 2013 event at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore, India.

Expected to be delivered in May this year, the new EC135 aircraft will be modified to accommodate four passengers.

Ghodawat will use the new aircraft to meet its business aviation requirements, replacing the existing smaller EC120.

The company has also delivered a new EC135 to Mahindra & Mahindra of India, which will be used for corporate transportation.

Eurocopter India delivered a total of nine EC135 aircraft in 2012.

Commenting on the increasing preference for the aircraft, Eurocopter India chief executive officer Xavier Hay said that the majority of the contracts signed by the company with Indian customers were for EC135 helicopters.

"The Ecureuil and Dauphin families have been leading the light-single and medium-class segments respectively in India," Hay added.

"The Ecureuil and Dauphin families have been leading the light-single and medium-class segments in India."

Designed to accommodate a maximum of eight passengers and featuring Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, the modern 3t light twin-engine helicopter provides easy maintenance, manoeuvrability, high-visibility and low vibration levels.

Debuted in mid-1996 and suitable for both rotary and fixed-wing applications, the aircraft consumes less fuel and delivers reduced operating and training costs.

Providing the customer with improved performance, reduced wiring and weight, the EC135 is also used for police work, electronic news gathering, VIP transport and business aviation.

More than 1,000 EC135 helicopters have been delivered to customers globally to support a variety of missions, including pilot training and law enforcement, emergency medical services (EMS) and search-and-rescue (SAR).


Image: The EC135 helicopter. Photo: courtesy of Eurocopter, Charles Abarr.

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