The AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2, also known as the H125, is a single-engine helicopter developed by Airbus Helicopters. It is a versatile aircraft used for various missions, including passenger transport, medical evacuation, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations.
The AS-355 Ecureuil 2 features a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to six passengers, along with a pilot and co-pilot. It is powered by a single Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine, providing excellent performance and fuel efficiency. The helicopter has a maximum speed of 140 knots (259 km/h) and a range of 430 nautical miles (800 km). It is equipped with advanced avionics and safety features, making it a reliable and capable aircraft for a wide range of operations.
The AS-355 Ecureuil 2 has gained popularity worldwide due to its versatility, performance, and safety. It is widely used by civil operators, government agencies, and military forces around the globe. The helicopter has been continuously improved and upgraded over the years, with the latest variant, the H125, incorporating the latest advancements in technology and safety features.
AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 Specs
The AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2, also known as the H125, is a versatile single-engine helicopter renowned for its performance, safety, and reliability. Its specifications encompass a range of key aspects that contribute to its effectiveness in various missions.
- Engine: Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine, providing excellent power and efficiency.
- Speed: Maximum speed of 140 knots (259 km/h), enabling rapid response and efficient travel.
- Range: 430 nautical miles (800 km) range, allowing for extended operations and long-distance flights.
- Capacity: Spacious cabin accommodating up to six passengers and two crew members, ensuring comfort and practicality.
- Avionics: Advanced avionics suite, enhancing situational awareness and safety during flight.
- Safety: Comprehensive safety features, including crashworthiness and emergency systems, prioritizing the well-being of occupants.
- Versatility: Multi-role capabilities, ranging from passenger transport to law enforcement and search and rescue operations, demonstrating its adaptability to diverse missions.
These key aspects combine to make the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 a highly capable and reliable helicopter. Its powerful engine, impressive speed and range, spacious cabin, advanced avionics, robust safety features, and versatility make it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications. The aircraft’s exceptional performance and adaptability have earned it a reputation as one of the most successful single-engine helicopters in the world.
Engine
The Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine is a key component of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 helicopter, contributing significantly to its exceptional performance and capabilities.
- Power and Efficiency: The Arriel 2D engine delivers impressive power output while maintaining excellent fuel efficiency. This combination enables the AS-355 Ecureuil 2 to carry a significant payload over long distances, making it ideal for missions such as passenger transport, medical evacuation, and search and rescue operations.
- Reliability and Durability: The Arriel 2D engine is renowned for its reliability and durability, ensuring minimal downtime and maintenance costs. This is crucial for operators who rely on their helicopters for critical missions and require dependable performance in challenging environments.
- Reduced Emissions: The Arriel 2D engine meets stringent environmental standards, producing lower emissions compared to other engines in its class. This is an important consideration for operators who prioritize sustainability and eco-friendliness.
- Compact Design: The compact design of the Arriel 2D engine allows for optimal space utilization within the AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s engine compartment. This contributes to the helicopter’s overall efficiency and performance.
In summary, the Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine is a vital component of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2, providing excellent power, efficiency, reliability, and environmental friendliness. These qualities make the AS-355 Ecureuil 2 a highly capable and versatile helicopter, suitable for a wide range of missions and operating conditions.
Speed
The impressive speed of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2, reaching a maximum of 140 knots (259 km/h), is a significant aspect of its overall capabilities and contributes directly to its success in various mission profiles.
This exceptional speed enables the AS-355 Ecureuil 2 to respond rapidly to urgent situations, such as medical emergencies, search and rescue operations, or law enforcement incidents. Its ability to reach remote areas or distant locations quickly enhances its effectiveness in providing timely assistance and support.
Moreover, the helicopter’s speed contributes to efficient travel, reducing transit time between destinations. This is particularly valuable for missions involving the transport of passengers, cargo, or medical personnel over long distances. By optimizing travel time, the AS-355 Ecureuil 2 maximizes its productivity and operational efficiency.
In summary, the maximum speed of 140 knots (259 km/h) is a crucial aspect of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s capabilities, enabling rapid response times and efficient travel. These attributes are essential for fulfilling diverse mission requirements effectively, making the AS-355 Ecureuil 2 a highly versatile and reliable helicopter.
Range
The extended range of 430 nautical miles (800 km) is a defining characteristic of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 and a significant contributor to its operational capabilities. This remarkable range enables the helicopter to undertake extended missions and long-distance flights, expanding its versatility and effectiveness in various scenarios.
One of the primary advantages of the AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s extended range is its ability to reach remote areas or distant locations that may be inaccessible to helicopters with shorter ranges. This capability is particularly valuable for search and rescue operations, where covering vast areas is crucial for locating and assisting individuals in distress. Additionally, the extended range allows the helicopter to transport passengers or cargo over long distances, making it suitable for inter-city or inter-island transportation.
Furthermore, the AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s extended range enhances its endurance capabilities, enabling it to remain airborne for extended periods. This is essential for missions such as surveillance, aerial photography, or law enforcement operations, where prolonged flight time is necessary to achieve mission objectives.
In summary, the 430 nautical miles (800 km) range of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 is a critical component of its overall specifications, empowering the helicopter to undertake extended operations and long-distance flights. This extended range significantly increases the helicopter’s versatility and effectiveness in various mission profiles, making it a highly capable and reliable aircraft for a wide range of applications.
Capacity
The AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 boasts a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to six passengers and two crew members, highlighting its versatility and practicality in various mission profiles. This generous cabin space translates into several key advantages that contribute to the overall capabilities of the helicopter.
- Passenger Comfort: The AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s spacious cabin provides ample room for passengers, ensuring comfort during flights. This is particularly important for missions involving extended flight times or the transport of individuals requiring special care, such as medical patients or VIPs.
- Cargo Capacity: In addition to passenger transport, the AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s cabin can also accommodate a significant amount of cargo or equipment. This flexibility allows the helicopter to be utilized for a wide range of missions, including search and rescue operations, disaster relief, or the transportation of essential supplies to remote areas.
- Dual-Use Capability: The spacious cabin of the AS-355 Ecureuil 2 enables quick and easy reconfiguration between passenger and cargo transport roles. This dual-use capability enhances the helicopter’s operational efficiency and versatility, allowing operators to adapt to changing mission requirements swiftly.
- Crew Ergonomics: The cabin design also prioritizes crew ergonomics, providing ample space for the pilot and co-pilot to operate the helicopter comfortably and efficiently. This ergonomic design reduces fatigue and enhances situational awareness, contributing to overall flight safety.
In summary, the spacious cabin of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2, accommodating up to six passengers and two crew members, is a crucial aspect of its specifications. This generous cabin space enhances passenger comfort, increases cargo capacity, enables dual-use functionality, and prioritizes crew ergonomics. These factors collectively contribute to the helicopter’s versatility, practicality, and effectiveness in fulfilling diverse mission requirements.
Avionics
The advanced avionics suite in the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 is a critical component that significantly enhances situational awareness and safety during flight. This sophisticated suite of avionics systems provides pilots with real-time data, improves navigation capabilities, and incorporates safety features that contribute to the overall performance and reliability of the helicopter.
One of the key benefits of the advanced avionics suite is its ability to provide pilots with comprehensive situational awareness. The system integrates various sensors and displays to create a detailed picture of the helicopter’s surroundings, including terrain, obstacles, weather conditions, and other aircraft. This enhanced situational awareness enables pilots to make informed decisions, navigate effectively, and respond promptly to changing conditions, ultimately increasing flight safety.
Furthermore, the advanced avionics suite plays a vital role in improving navigation capabilities. It incorporates GPS, inertial navigation systems, and other technologies to provide accurate positioning and guidance information. This allows pilots to fly precise routes, even in challenging weather conditions or remote areas where traditional navigation methods may be unreliable. The improved navigation capabilities contribute to efficient flight operations and enhance the overall safety of the helicopter.
In addition to situational awareness and navigation, the advanced avionics suite also includes a range of safety features that further enhance the protection of passengers and crew. These features may include terrain warning systems, traffic collision avoidance systems, and flight envelope protection systems. By constantly monitoring the helicopter’s flight parameters and providing timely alerts, these safety features help prevent accidents and mitigate risks during flight.
In summary, the advanced avionics suite in the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 is an integral component that contributes to the helicopter’s exceptional performance and safety. By providing pilots with enhanced situational awareness, improving navigation capabilities, and incorporating safety features, the advanced avionics suite plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of passengers and crew during flight. This advanced technology is a testament to the ongoing commitment to innovation and safety in the aviation industry.
Safety
The emphasis on safety is a defining aspect of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s specifications and a testament to the paramount importance placed on protecting the well-being of occupants during flight. The helicopter incorporates a comprehensive suite of safety features, including advanced crashworthiness and emergency systems, which work in conjunction to minimize risks and enhance the chances of survival in the event of an accident.
The AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s crashworthiness is meticulously engineered to withstand significant impact forces and protect occupants from injury. The airframe is constructed using lightweight yet robust materials that effectively absorb and dissipate energy during a crash, reducing the likelihood of catastrophic failure. Additionally, the cabin is equipped with impact-absorbing seats and energy-attenuating materials that further enhance occupant protection.
Complementing the crashworthiness features, the AS-355 Ecureuil 2 is also equipped with a range of emergency systems designed to facilitate a safe landing or evacuation in the event of an emergency. These systems include dual hydraulic circuits, which provide redundancy and ensure controllability in case of a hydraulic system failure. The helicopter also features an emergency flotation system that allows it to land on water in the event of an engine failure or other emergencies over water.
The combination of advanced crashworthiness and emergency systems underscores the commitment to safety that is inherent in the design of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2. These features provide occupants with a high level of protection and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome in emergency situations.
Versatility
The versatility of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 is a direct result of its exceptional specifications, which include a powerful engine, extended range, spacious cabin, advanced avionics, and comprehensive safety features. These specifications combine to create a helicopter capable of performing a wide range of missions, from passenger transport to law enforcement and search and rescue operations.
The AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s versatility is particularly valuable in emergency situations, where time is of the essence and the ability to respond quickly and effectively can make all the difference. For example, the helicopter’s speed and range allow it to reach remote areas quickly, enabling it to provide medical assistance or evacuate personnel in the event of a natural disaster or accident.
Furthermore, the AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s spacious cabin and advanced avionics make it an ideal platform for law enforcement operations. The cabin can be easily configured to accommodate specialized equipment, such as surveillance cameras or thermal imaging systems, while the advanced avionics provide real-time situational awareness and navigation capabilities, enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement missions.
In summary, the versatility of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 is a testament to its well-rounded specifications and innovative design. This versatility makes the AS-355 Ecureuil 2 a highly sought-after helicopter for a wide range of applications, where its ability to adapt to diverse missions is critical to mission success and the safety of those involved.
Frequently Asked Questions about AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 Specs
Below are answers to common questions and misconceptions about the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 Specs.
Question 1: What is the maximum speed of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2?
The AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 has a maximum speed of 140 knots (259 km/h), making it suitable for rapid response and efficient travel.
Question 2: What is the range of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2?
The AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 has a range of 430 nautical miles (800 km), allowing for extended operations and long-distance flights.
Question 3: How many passengers can the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 accommodate?
The AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 has a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to six passengers and two crew members, ensuring comfort and practicality.
Question 4: What type of engine powers the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2?
The AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 is powered by a single Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine, providing excellent power and efficiency.
Question 5: What safety features are included in the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2?
The AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 incorporates comprehensive safety features, including crashworthiness and emergency systems, prioritizing the well-being of occupants.
Question 6: What is the versatility of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2?
The AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 is a versatile helicopter capable of performing a wide range of missions, from passenger transport to law enforcement and search and rescue operations, demonstrating its adaptability to diverse missions.
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 Specs. For more information, please consult the aircraft’s technical specifications or contact an authorized representative.
Now that we have covered the specifications and capabilities of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2, let’s explore its historical background and market presence in the next section.
Tips on Utilizing AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 Specs
To maximize the effectiveness and safety of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2, consider the following tips:
Tip 1: Optimize Payload and Range
Carefully plan flight missions to ensure the AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s payload and range capabilities are fully utilized. This involves considering factors such as the number of passengers, cargo weight, and distance to be traveled.
Tip 2: Leverage Advanced Avionics
Fully utilize the advanced avionics suite to enhance situational awareness, navigation accuracy, and overall flight safety. Familiarize yourself with the various systems and features to maximize their benefits.
Tip 3: Prioritize Safety Procedures
Always adhere to established safety procedures and checklists before, during, and after each flight. This includes thorough pre-flight inspections, proper weight and balance calculations, and emergency preparedness measures.
Tip 4: Undergo Regular Maintenance
Regularly schedule maintenance and inspections as recommended by the manufacturer. This helps ensure the AS-355 Ecureuil 2 remains in optimal condition, minimizing the risk of technical issues and maximizing its lifespan.
Tip 5: Train and Certify Pilots
Invest in comprehensive training and certification programs for pilots operating the AS-355 Ecureuil 2. Proper training ensures pilots are proficient in handling the aircraft’s systems, responding to emergencies, and adhering to safety protocols.
Tip 6: Utilize Mission-Specific Configurations
Take advantage of the AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s versatility by customizing it for specific mission profiles. This may involve installing specialized equipment, reconfiguring the cabin layout, or adjusting the payload and range parameters.
Tip 7: Monitor Technological Advancements
Stay informed about technological advancements and upgrades available for the AS-355 Ecureuil 2. Incorporating the latest innovations can enhance its performance, safety, and efficiency.
By following these tips, operators can harness the full potential of the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2, ensuring its safe, efficient, and successful operation in various mission scenarios.
In conclusion, the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 stands as a highly capable and versatile helicopter, combining exceptional performance with advanced safety features. By understanding its specifications and adhering to recommended practices, operators can maximize its capabilities and achieve optimal outcomes in a wide range of mission applications.
Conclusion
In summary, the AEROSPATIALE AS-355 Ecureuil 2 emerges as a highly capable and versatile helicopter, meticulously engineered to meet the demands of diverse mission profiles. Its impressive specifications, encompassing speed, range, capacity, avionics, safety features, and versatility, render it an exceptional aircraft for a multitude of applications.
The AS-355 Ecureuil 2’s exceptional performance, coupled with its advanced safety features, ensures the well-being of occupants and enhances mission effectiveness. Its versatility allows operators to adapt to changing mission requirements, maximizing its operational efficiency and value.
As technology continues to advance, the AS-355 Ecureuil 2 is poised to remain a cornerstone of aviation, fulfilling the need for a reliable, safe, and versatile helicopter for years to come.
