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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 450 EC120 helicopters. |
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On 31 October 2001, the 2001-built Eurocopter EC120B s/n 1209 was registered first as ZK-HVQ in New Zealand.
On 8 April 2003, the helicopter was re-registered ZK-HJD. This
registration was cancelled as exported on 17 January 2005. On 7 March 2005, the Colibri arrived
on delivery together with Eurocopter EC120B c/n 1005 at the Heli-Holland heliport near
Emmen in the Netherlands. The helicopter was registered PH-ECK with Heli Holland Holding BV, Emmer-Compascuum,
on 5 May 2005. After the helicopter was sold in the UK the PH-registration was cancelled on
10 January 2006. The helicopter was registered G-FCKD first in the UK with Heli-Banners on 11 January 2006.
On 11 July 2006, the G-FCKD was transferred to Pacific Helicopters. |