PH-WRW Eurocopter EC-120 B Colibri c/n 1277 - HELICO - heliport Emmen in Holland - 23 March 2003

Eurocopter EC120 B 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.

On 28 November 2001, registration PH-WRW was reserved by Helicon BV for Eurocopter EC120 B Colibri c/n 1277. On 22 January 2002, the 2001-buit EC120B Colibri c/n 1277 was registered PH-WRW with Heli Holland Holding BV, Emmercompascuum. The same day, the factory new EC120 B Colibri PH-WRW was delivered all white at the Heli-Holland heliport near Emmen in the Netherlands. The helicopter received its Helicon colours in the paint facilities at the industrial area in Emmen. On 2 July 2002, after being prepared for Helicon, Colibri PH-WRW was delivered to HELICO and registered with Helicon BV, teuge, as operator and VC Helicopters Nederland BV, Teuge, as owner. Helicon BV was located at Teuge airfield but moved first to Lelystad airport and is today located at their own heliport in Bergen op Zoom. On 28 July 2008, the aircraft was registered with Heli Holland Holding BV, Emmer-Compascuum.