G-ZWAR Eurocopter EC-120 B Colibri c/n 1024 - HJS Helicopters - heliport Emmen in Holland - 15 May 2008

Eurocopter EC120B productionlist

The Eurocopter EC-120 B Colibri is a 5-seat light utility helicopter powered by a single Turbomeca Arrius 2F turbine engine. The EC 120 B Colibri, also known as Hummingbird, was developed with simplicity of design and low costs of maintenance in mind. It makes extensive use of composite materials and modern avionics. The new generation of fenestron tail rotor takes part in the decrease in external noise level, which makes the EC120 B ideal for missions near settled areas. The project started in 1990 when Aerospatiale of France, CATIC of China and Singapore Aerospace agreed in forming a partnership to develop a new light helicopter, then designated P‑120L. Definition phase of the original P120L was subsequently redesigned with 500 kg lower gross weight and new engine and rotor. The helicopter divisions of Aerospatiale from France and MBB from Germany merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. In October 1992, development of the new helicopter started and in January 1993, Eurocopter designation EC 120 was given to the helicopter. Mid-1993, the design definition was completed and assembly of first of two prototypes began at Eurocopter France at Marignane in early 1995. Eurocopter EC-120 prototype F-WWPA c/n 1 flew first on 9 June 1995. The second prototype (F-WWPD c/n 2) was flown 17 July 1996. Certification to JAR 27 was achieved on 16 June 1997. Production of the EC 120 began on a small scale in 1997 at Eurocopter France's Marignane facility, with the first production Colibri (F-WWPL c/n 1005) flying on 5 December 1997. Next to the Eurocopter France production line, in 2004 an assembly line was built in Harbin, China to manufacture the EC120 helicopter, designated HC-120 for the Chinese market. Eurocopter has delivered more than 550 EC120 helicopters.

Registration F-GRAE was reserved for Eurocopter EC120B c/n 1024. The registration was ntu for this airframe but alloted to EC120 B c/n 1049. In March 1999, the 1999-built Eurocopter EC-120B Colibri c/n 1024 was registered in Germany as D-HVIP with the VHM Schul und Charterflug. Early 2000, Colibri D-HVIP arrived at the Heli Holland heliport in Emmen, the Netherlands, for maintenance with Heli Holland Technics. After maintenance, the EC-120B was registered G-ZWAR in the UK with Hedgeton Trading Ltd., Surbiton, on 14 April 2000. Colibri G-ZWAR was delivered to Spain. Early 2003, the helicopter returned to Emmen for maintenance. Since, Colibri G-ZWAR is operated in Scotland by HJS Helicopters, based on a privately owned and operated helipad at Peterculter just outside Aberdeen in the North East of Scotland. On 15 May 2008, EC-120B G-ZWAR was photographed at heliport Emmen when hired by Heli Holland. The same day, a reservation for the registration PH-ECR by Heli Holland Holding BV was recorded for this chopper. On 18 July, registration G-ZWAR was cancelled and the helicopter was registered PH-ECR wit Heli Holland BV, Emmer-Compascuum, on 22 July 2008.