The Airbus Helicopters EC135 / H135 is a lightweight five/seven seat twin-turbine-engine multi-role helicopter with a radius of 720 km.
The EC135 is offered with either Safran Helicopter Engines (former: Turbomeca) Arrius 2B2 or Pratt & Whitney PW206B2 engines.
Development of the Eurocopter EC135 started in the 80s as the MBB Bo.108 Advanced Technology Helicopter. The prototype BO108 with
conventional tail rotor flew first on 15 October 1988. When the helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aérospatiale from
France merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group, the Bo108 program was transferred as well. An advanced low noise ducted
10-blade Fenestron tail rotor was, next to other modifications, incorporated into the design and the name of the helicopter was
changed into Eurocopter EC135. The prototype of the EC135 (D-HBOX s/n S-01) flew first on 15 February 1994 and went in series
production in 1996 at Donauwörth. On 14 June 1996, the German certification was granted by the LBA and the first customer delivery
followed on 31 July that year. Next to the EC135 a special military version was developed designated the Eurocopter EC635. The
EC635 has a structural reinforcement of cabin structure and can be equipped with wire-guided, laser-guided, autonomous missiles. Over
1300 EC135 / H135 / H135M airframes have been delivered since the helicopter entered service in 1996. In March 2015, Airbus Helicopters
renamed its entire product line to better reflect its closer allignment with ist parent company and simplify the naming convention for
the portfolio. Therefore, the EC135 T3/P3 were renamed as “H135” as stated in revison No.EASA.R.009 Issue: 07 of the Type Certificate
Data Sheet for EC135 dated 18 March 2015. “H135M” is used as marketing designation for the military EC635 P3(CPDS); EC635 P3H; EC635 T3(CPDS)
and EC635 T3H helicopters. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the EC135 / H135 helicopters is EC35.
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.
RTH (Rettungstransporthubschrauber) Eurocopter EC135 P2 D-HDRL "Christoph 36" of the DRF-Deutsche Rettungflugwacht
e.V. (Rettungsdienststiftung Björn Steiger e.V.) was photographed at the helipad of the DRF-Luftrettungszentrum Magdeburg
in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany, on 25 June 2007. The call sign "Christoph" is used for the German lifeliner helicopters
since 1970 and is derived of Saint Christophorus, the Patron Saint for all
travellers. The RTH facilities at the "Städtisches Klinikum Magdeburg"
were opened on 1 July 1992. The helicopter in service as "Christoph 36"
was a MBB BO.105CBS-5 of the Bundespolizei-Fliegerstaffel Nord until it was replaced by
an EC135 of the DRF – Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht on 1 April 2006. The 2006-built
Eurocopter EC-135 P2 c/n 0486 D-HDRL (ex D-HECC) was registered on 1 June 2006. On 13 July 2006,
the D-HDRL entered service as "Christoph 36" at Magdeburg. Starting
from 23 September 2008, the DRF-Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht e.V.
introduced a new name and logo. From that day, the former DRF consists
of three parts: a non-profit sponsored association, a foundation under
public law and a non-profit corporation which is the operational unit.
The operational work of the DRF continued as before. The German air
rescue companies HSD-Hubschauber Sonder Dienst Flugbetriebs and HDM
Luftrettung also appeared under the name of DRF Luftrettung starting
from 23 September 2008. The previous branding of “Air Rescue Alliance
TEAM DRF” is no longer used. On 26 January 2014, Eurocopter EC-135 P2 D-HDRL
was severely damaged when operated as "Christoph 46" during a rescue
mission in Oberwiesenthal in Saxonia in the Eastern part of Germany. After landing
on the ski run, the helicopter suddenly started to glide downwards the slope and came
to rest about 30 metres from the landing side after crashing into a parked motor sledge.
After repair the EC-135 P2 D-HDRL returned in service with DRF Luftrettung.
Luchtvaart déjà vu
