The Aérospatiale SE.313B Alouette II is a small single-engine utility helicopter that can
accommodate up to 4 passengers. Development of the SE.3130 Alouette II
started in the early 50s under the SNCA Sud-Est banner. The Sud-Est
SE-3130 Alouette II was derived from the SE-3120 Alouette, a
three-seater built in 1949 powered by a Salmson 9 NH piston engine. Two
prototypes of the SE-3130 model were built, featuring a Turbomeca
Artouste II turbine-engine and an enlarged cabin. The first flight of an
SE.3130, the F-WWHE c/n 01, occurred on 12 March 1955, certification was
achieved on 2 May 1957. The Alouette II entered production with
Sud-Aviation that was formed when SNCASE merged with SNCASO on 1
September 1956. In 1964, the SE.3130 was replaced in production by the
SE.3180 variant that differed in the installation of an Astazou II
turbine-engine and a strengthened transmission system. In 1967, the
SE.3130 was re-designated SE.313B; the SE.3180 was re-designated
SE.318C. On 1 January 1970, Sud-Aviation was merged with a number of
other French aerospace companies to form the SNIAS (Société Nationale
Industrielle Aerospatiale). The Alouette II remained in production until
1975. Over 1500 helicopters of the different versions of the Alouette II
were built, including production under licence in the U.S.A, India and Sweden.
From 1984, SNIAS operated under the name of Aérospatiale. The helicopter divisions of MBB from Germany and Aérospatiale from France merged in
January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. 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.
In May 1958, Sud-Aviation SE.3130 Alouette II s/n 1183 was test-flown as F-WIPE. On 27 June 1958, the SE.3130 Alouette II was
registered F-BIPV with Distilleries Ricard. On 9 June 1961, the by a Turbomeca Artouste II C6 engine powered Alouette was
transferred to Helicop Air. On 9 October 1961, the F-BIPV was registered with Gyrafrique in Algiers; on 6 June 1962, the F-BIPV
was transferred to Gyrafrance in Montpellier. The helicopter entered the Héli-Union-France fleet on 1 April 1963. Registration
F-BIPV was cancelled on 10 April 1969 and the helicopter was registered CF-YBV in Canada. On 8 October 1969, Alouette II CF-YBV
was damaged in an accident. The helicopter was repaired and on 7 April 1971, registered F-BSRM with Héli-Union as a SE 313B Alouette
II. In the 1980's the F-BSRM was leased to Réunion Air Service. After the helicopter returned to France it was registered with
Compagnie Nationale de Navigation SAS as owner and Héli-Union as operator. On 9 July 1993, the CofA expired and the helicopter was
withdrawn from use. On 27 October 2014, registration F-BSRM was cancelled. In September 1972, Héli Union' Sud-Aviation SE.313 B
Alouette II F-BSRM was seen at Groningen Airport Eelde in the Netherlands. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the SE.313B
Alouette II is the ALO2.
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