EC175 Helicopter Takes Flight

The first production EC175 helicopter has undertaken its first flight at Eurocopter’s Marignane, France headquarters facility. According to Eurocopter, the flight has ‘confirmed the excellent performance of this next-generation multi-role helicopter’.

The company also announced the aircraft’s performance figures, with a recommended cruise speed of kts. – 10 kts. faster than the previous figure without affecting payload range – while the maximum cruise speed exceeds 165 kts., all at extremely low vibration levels. 

Eurocopter’s programme flight tests to date also have confirmed the EC175’s power performance including: hover out of ground effect (HOGE) at maximum take-off weight at 4,500 ft. at ISA+20°C conditions; advanced one engine inoperative (OEI) hover performance, which ensures safety during hosting for search and rescue missions ; extensive power reserve and heli-deck performance (PC1) at maximum take-off weight in ISA+20°C conditions –available with application of the latest certified version of Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6C-67E engines. 

Lutz Bertling, Eurocopter’s President & CEO, said: ‘With this first production series aircraft now airborne, the EC175 helicopter is a reality, and Eurocopter is very pleased to bring this new product in its civil range to the market. This first flight is the occasion to confirm our objective – which was to develop, in cooperation with our industrial Chinese partner, AVIC – the safest and best medium-sized rotorcraft, which also is a leader in terms of competitiveness, power efficiency and comfort. Following the success of Eurocopter’s EC130 T2 and the EC145 T2, the EC175 is yet another example of our strategy to provide outstanding value to customers.’

The first EC175 version to receive airworthiness certification will be for the oil and gas market. First deliveries of the aircraft are due to begin in September 2013.