Eurocopter EC135

Finland’s emergency medical services provider Skärgårdshavets Helikoptertjänst Ab (SHT) has taken delivery of four new twin-engine EC135s from France-based Eurocopter as part of its helicopter fleet modernisation programme.

Three older EC135s are being replaced with the new rotorcrafts, taking SHT’s fleet to five.

SHT places its Eurocopter rotorcrafts at helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) hubs at Helsinki, Turku, and Tampere and at combined HEMS/air ambulance base in Mariehamn, Åland, while another helicopter is used for HEMS crew training and as a backup.

SHT is a member of Eurocopter’s Reliability Data Group, which comprises clients that provide technical and operational data on their helicopters, enabling the helicopter manufacturer to improve component reliability and increase serviceability for its operators.

Eurocopter EC135 programme chief Roman Seidel said that the EC135 delivery for SHT reinforced Eurocopter’s ability to support customers’ needs through the timely supply of helicopters in meeting their schedules and operational requirements.

“With SHT’s record of reliability rates already in the 98% bracket, the new EC135s will further enhance its high-quality service.”

"With SHT’s record of reliability rates already in the 98% bracket, the new EC135s will further enhance its high-quality service," Seidel said.

EC135 was developed to provide high-performance, extended range, flexibility, and reliability to meet the demands of operators in various mission environments, Eurocopter noted.

Some 1,000 EC135s are in service globally, with approximately 50% of those used for emergency medical services.

Meanwhile, Eurocopter has conducted the first flight of EC175 at its Marignane facility in France.

EC175 will have a cruise speed of 277.8kmph without affecting payload range and the first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in September 2013.

Image: Skärgårdshavets Helikoptertjänst Ab will replace three older EC135s with new rotorcrafts as part of its fleet modernisation programme. Photo: Charles Abarr / Eurocopter.