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The Airbus Helicopters EC135 is a lightweight five/seven seat
twin-turbine-engine multi-role helicopter with a radius of 720 km. The
EC 135 is offered with either Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 or Pratt and Whitney
Canada 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 Aerospatiale 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. In 1996, the EC135 went into series production by
Eurocopter Deutschland in Donauwörth, Germany. After German
certification was granted on 14 June 1996, the first customer delivery
was on 31 July 1996. Next to the EC135 a special military version was
developed designated the Eurocopter EC635. Over 1250 EC135 airframes
have been delivered since the helicopter entered service in 1996. The
ICAO Aircraft Type Designator with Wake Category used to classify
aircraft types for the EC135 helicopters is EC35. Airbus Helicopters
uses “H135” as marketing designation for EC135 T3/P3 helicopters as stated in
revison No.EASA.R.009 Issue: 07 of the Type Certificate Data Sheet for
EC135 dated 18 March 2015. |
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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. |
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On 16 August 2004, Eurocopter EC135 P2 csn 0351 was flown first.
On 28 September 2004, the Eurocopter EC135 P2 was registered N170AE in
the USA with Cfs Air LLC, Danbury, Connecticut. On 13 April 2005, the EC135 P2 was
re-registered N135AN with Cfs Air LLC. The helicopter was operated by Omniflight
Helicopters Inc. in Ohio as an EMS helicopter commissioned by MedFlight Ohio. In August
2001, the Air Methods acquired the parent company of Omniflight
Helicopters. Since early 2013, Eurocopter EC135 P2 N135AN is operated by Air Methods for
the Air Care Team of Orlando Health. Orlando Health is a healthcare
network, based in Orlando, Florida and home to Central Florida's only
Level One Trauma Center. The Air Care Team is their helicopter ambulance
service and serves all Orlando Health hospitals. The Air Care Team also provides assistance and support to other hospitals located
throughout Florida based on medical necessity. On 16 December 2013, the Eurocopter EC135 P2 N135AN was registered with
Helifleet 2013-01 LLC, Wilmington as owner. The helicopter is as before operated by Air Methods for the Air Care Team of Orlando Health.
On 27 April 2016, the aircraft was struck by a motor vehicle after landing next to an accident site on a roadway in south Orlando west of Kissimmee, Florida.
The helicopter was damaged at the rear rotor and had to be towed away. |
Luchtvaart déjà vu
