Bangkok--24 Dec--TQPR Thailand
The multi-nation Asian tour of Eurocopter’s next-generation EC175 and evolved EC145 T2 wraps up this week with a stopover in Bangkok, where the helicopters’ capabilities are being demonstrated for this country’s requirements in oil and gas airlift, emergency medical services, search and rescue duties, utility missions and other applications.
While in Bangkok from December 16-19, the two rotorcraft will be available for evaluation flights, operations and maintenance demonstrations, as well as Eurocopter discussions with operators.
“Thailand is growing market, as the Eurocopter fleet in the country will increase from approximately 35 rotorcraft today to some 50 over the next two years,” said Eurocopter South East Asia CEO, Derek Sharples. “Our maintenance center near Bangkok International Airport, which was established in 2009, will be well-positioned to support the expanding fleet.”
As Eurocopter’s latest medium-sized twin-engine helicopter, the EC175 is perfectly suited to Thailand’s oil and gas industry – especially as platforms move further into the Gulf of Thailand, increasing flight lengths to some 130-140 naut. mi. At these distances, the EC175’s payload capacity with up to 16 passengers surpasses all of its competitors.
The EC175 has become the benchmark for helicopters in its category, offering a combination of fast cruise speed and excellent flight qualities, along with high safety levels and cost efficiency in terms of operations and maintenance.
Further contributing to the helicopter’s high levels of mission flexibility and safety is its new Helionix avionics suite, which extends the superiority of in-flight envelope protection, pilot assistance and situational awareness that have been proven on Eurocopter’s EC225 helicopter.
Participating in Eurocopter’s Asian demonstration is the company’s first production EC175, configured for oil and gas duties. EASA certification of the EC175 is targeted in early 2014, which will be the final program step prior to deliveries for the first three customers the same year.
The EC145 T2 brings enhanced performance in a twin-engine light utility helicopter, responding to Thailand’s mission needs in parapublic operations such as law enforcement, and search and rescue; for emergency medical services, and in corporate transport and utility service.
This rotorcraft is the latest member in Eurocopter’s EC145 family, and offers upgraded performance, enhanced handling qualities, as well as an improved on-board environment. It features new Arriel 2E engines along with the company’s Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, upgraded main and tail rotor gear boxes, and an innovative new digital avionics suite with 4-axis autopilot.
The proven Fenestron tail rotor’s application to the EC145 T2 provides benefits that include augmented flight and ground safety, lower noise and vibration levels, better anti-torque control efficiency and reduced power demand in forward flight. On the EC145 T2, Eurocopter uses a new tail rotor gear box with lower maintenance costs, which incorporates a duplex tail rotor actuator and dual hydraulic circuits. It is installed in an all-composite tail boom with a new, damage-tolerant design.
The Asian demonstration tour’s EC145 T2 is configured with a corporate cabin, and it arrived in the region after Persian Gulf appearances at Abu Dhabi and during the Dubai Airshow.
Certification and start-up of deliveries for the EC145 T2 are planned in 2014.
The EC145 T2’s journey in Asia started in Brunei, followed by Malaysia and Thailand, while the EC175 visited Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. Follow the Asia demonstration tour with updates on daily activities and testimonials of customers and pilots at: http://events.eurocopter.com/.