The Airbus Helicopters EC155 B1 is a medium-weight multi-role utility twin
engine helicopter accommodating up to 12 passengers and 2 crew. The EC155 B is a development of the
AS365N Dauphin II,
with 40% larger cabin area, a new five-bladed Spheriflex main rotor with
an extremely low vibration level and 'glass cockpit'. The EC155 B1 is
powered by a pair of Turbomeca Arrius 2C2 turbine engines. The new
generation of Fenestron tail rotor takes part in the decrease in
external noise level. This tail rotor has 10 blades spaced irregularly
around the hub. Development of the EC-155, initially known as AS-365N-4
Dauphin started in September 1996. The development of the AS365 N4 wide
body helicopter was announced at International Paris Airshow in June
1997. A mockup of the N4 was shown at the International Paris Air Show
at Le Bourget and on 17 June 1997, the prototype EC155, F-WDFK, a
rebuilt Dauphin, flew first at Marignane. The first pre-poduction EC155
B flew on 11 March 1998. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) and
the German Government Agencies (LBA) certification was awarded in
December 1998 and the EC 155 got its single-pilot IFR certificate on 25
January 2000. The first three Eurocopter EC 155 Bs were officially
handed over to the German Federal Ministry of the Interior /
Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS) at the Bonn-Hangelaar base of the BGS on 16
March 1999. The EC155 B1 is a development of the EC155 B with more
powerful engines and improved performance at high altitude and in hot
temperature conditions. Deliveries of the EC 155B1 version began in
September 2002. More than 170 EC155s have been sold. Since March 2015,
Airbus Helicopters uses 'H155' as marketing designation for the EC155 helicopters.
In 2015, Airbus Helicopters and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) entered into an
agreement to transfer the core production operations of EC-155 helicopters to
South Korea. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) became the sole manufacturer of this type of helicopters.
Now the entire development of the helicopter rested on the KAI company, which started
the development of the helicopter into military versions. The LAH version was created
armed with a 20 mm cannon, side mounts for missiles, bombs and machine guns. The helicopter
can carry 10 armed soldiers on board. In 2023, Airbus Helicopters and local partner KAI
launched series production of the Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) – derived from the former’s
H155 medium-twin – with deliveries to commence in 2024.
As a result of the merger between the Eurocopter parents Aérospatiale-Matra; DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA)
and Construcciones Aeronàuticas Sociedad Anonima (CASA) in July 2000, the Eurocopter group became a division of the new formed
EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space company). Taking off into 2014, EADS was rebranded as "Airbus Group". Uniting
all its activities under a single brand, its helicopter division Eurocopter was rebranded as Airbus Helicopters on 8 January 2014.
On 8 December 2004, the Airbus Helicopters EC155 B1 s/n 6683 flew first with
Eurocopter France test-registration F-WWOF. On 8 March 2005, the 2004-built EC155 B1
Dauphin II was registered 4K-AZ45 in Azerbaijan with Silk Way Helicopter
Services, Baku, Azerbaijan. SWHS - Silk Way Helicopter Services is part of the Silk Way Holding and
based at the Baku - Heydar Aliyev Airport. After the Eurocopter EC155 B1 4K-AZ45 was sold to Heli Holland
it was flown out of Baku to Emmer-Compascuum, the Netherlands, for maintenance by Heli Holland Technics.
On 19 December 2013, Eurocopter EC155 B1 4K-AZ45 landed at the Heli Holland heliport near Emmen after the delivery flight out of Azerbaijan.
On 20 December 2013, the helicopter was registered PH-HHO in the Netherlands, with Heli Holland Aviation Service B.V., Emmer-Compascuum,
as holder. On 28 April 2016, NHC - Northern Helicopter, Emden, reserved registration D-HNHN in Germany for the helicopter, but registration D-HNHN was ntu.
On 25 November 2016, registration PH-HHO was cancelled and on 29 November 2016, the helicopter was registered D-HNHB in Germany with NHC - Northern Helicopter,
Emden. On 6 November 2018, Northern Helicopter' Eurocopter EC155 B1 Dauphin II D-HNHB was seen at the Heli Holland heliport near Emmen.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for both the EC155 and H155 helicopter is EC55.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
