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Eurocopter's EC175 takes on the world: Global tour to demonstrate the performance capabilities of this next-generation medium-sized helicopter

Marignane, France, February 25, 2013 The next-generation Eurocopter EC175, which sets new standards in the medium-sized twin-engine helicopter market segment, is starting an international demonstration tour that enables operators to experience first-hand its exceptional performance, flight characteristics and operational flexibility.

The next-generation Eurocopter EC175, which sets new standards in the medium-sized twin-engine helicopter market segment, is starting an international demonstration tour that enables operators to experience first-hand its exceptional performance, flight characteristics and operational flexibility.

This tour uses Eurocopter’s no. 1 series production EC175 – which is configured for oil and gas operations – and kicks off with a two-week U.S. visit starting today at New Iberia, Louisiana in the U.S. Gulf Coast region.
It is the first of multiple stopovers across the country through March 15 that enables the helicopter’s evaluation by companies specialized in passenger transport and supply missions for the off-shore oil and gas industry. These visits will underscore Eurocopter’s development of the EC175 through extensive consultation with operators and end-users, ensuring their needs and requirements were incorporated into the design at an early stage – resulting in an optimized rotary-wing aircraft with the latest state-of-the-art technology.

Included on the EC175’s U.S. demonstration circuit is a March 5-7 appearance at the Heli-Expo helicopter industry convention in Las Vegas, where the helicopter will be shown on Eurocopter’s exhibit stand (Booth #C2922). Follow-on segments of the demonstration tour are planned later this year, bringing the EC175 to several additional regions in the world.

EC175 US DEMO TOUR

During these stopovers, the operators’ field visits will include flights with pilots and passengers, accompanied by presentations on topics that range from operations and performance to Eurocopter’s innovative support and services available for the EC175.

“This remarkable aircraft is living up to its promise, confirming the full capabilities in range, cruise speed and payload lift – all with high comfort levels for passengers and the most interior volume, along with the latest in avionics for pilots,” said Eurocopter President & CEO Lutz Bertling.

Bertling added that Eurocopter’s process of early consultation and analysis with the user community – combined with the latest-generation computer-aided design and virtual simulation mock-up – has established its EC175 as the medium-twin helicopter category’s reference.

“The result is the best-performing, easiest-to-fly, and most cost-effective helicopter in the medium-sized category,” he stated. “We also have undertaken unprecedented actions in optimizing aircraft maturity and ensuring a successful entry in service for the EC175, which is supported by a dedicated task force and tools that include validated support and services deliverables, along with the establishment of training capabilities.”
Contributing to the EC175’s competitive edge is its recommended cruise speed of 150 kts. (10 kts. faster than the previous figure, without affecting payload range), while the maximum cruise speed exceeds 165 kts. – all achieved at extremely low vibration levels.

The helicopter’s range provides the reach needed by off-shore service providers and other operators, transporting 16 passengers in an oil and gas-configured EC175 to distances of 140 naut. mi., with the range approaching 200 naut. mi. when 12 passengers are carried.

The EC175 also has validated its excellent power performance, including hover out of ground effect (HOGE) at maximum 7.5-metric-ton take-off weight at 4,500 ft. at ISA+20°C conditions; excellent one engine inoperative (OEI) hover performance, which ensures safety during hoisting for search and rescue missions; extensive power reserve and heli-deck performance (PC1) at maximum take-off weight in ISA+20°C conditions.

The highest levels of mission flexibility and safety are provided by the EC175’s new Helionix avionics, which extends the undisputed superiority of in-flight envelope protection, pilot assistance and situational awareness that have been proven on Eurocopter’s EC225 helicopter. Meeting the latest international avionics standards, the Helionix avionics suite incorporates the most innovative alerting and self-monitoring system.

With designed-in attributes that meet the full range of operating conditions – combined with its speed and range – the EC175 is the best choice to address all missions, including search and rescue, emergency medical services, public services, VIP and executive transport.

To follow the EC175’s demonstration tour, EC175.eurocopter.com (#EC175DemoTour on social networks)

About Eurocopter (www.eurocopter.com)
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services.
The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 38 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries.
Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

For more information, please contact:

Eurocopter further expands its enhanced product line and brings a vision for the helicopter industry's future to Heli-Expo 2013

Marignane, France, February 25, 2013 The latest members of Eurocopter’s helicopter family – including its new EC175, the enhanced EC145 T2 and AS350 B3e – are coming to Las Vegas for Heli-Expo 2013, where the company also is demonstrating its expanded services offer.

The latest members of Eurocopter’s helicopter family – including its new EC175, the enhanced EC145 T2 and AS350 B3e – are coming to Las Vegas for Heli-Expo 2013, where the company also is demonstrating its expanded services offer.

“At Heli-Expo 2013, Eurocopter will highlight how we are meeting our vision of transitioning from an industry-leading helicopter manufacturer to the no. 1 vertical lift mission solutions provider,” said President & CEO Lutz Bertling. “We will achieve this vision through the evolution of our current product line, the introduction of a next-generation rotorcraft family and in particular the expansion of innovative services offerings, thus delivering an unrivalled mission capability to our customers.”

On Heli-Expo’s opening day, Eurocopter will unveil another new addition to its evolved product line in the light-twin engine category.

Also heading the product line-up at Heli-Expo will be Eurocopter’s next-generation EC175 medium-sized twin-engine rotorcraft, whose unrivalled performance recently was confirmed during flight testing with the first production helicopter. This EC175 will be displayed in the oil and gas configuration on Eurocopter’s exhibit (Stand #C2922), providing a stopover on a two-week U.S. visit that kicks off its global demonstration tour.

Showcased as well at Las Vegas is the enhanced twin-engine version of Eurocopter’s EC145 – the EC145 T2, to be presented in an emergency medical services customization. EC145 T2 deliveries are to begin this year, integrating such technologies as the Fenestron tail rotor, advanced cockpit design, modern avionics and 4-axis autopilot.

Joining the company’s display at Las Vegas will be the single-engine AS350 B3e evolved member of Eurocopter’s Ecureuil family, powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine with a new-generation digital FADEC, and an engine data recorder for condition monitoring.

Completing the helicopter line-up on Eurocopter’s exhibit stand is an EC225 Super Puma in the oil and gas configuration.

Represented in model form with an accompanying video is the Eurocopter X3, whose full-scale demonstrator has validated its capabilities as a highly productive hybrid aircraft – offering the speed of a turboprop-powered aircraft and the full hover flight capabilities of a helicopter, as demonstrated during its U.S. tour in 2012.

Eurocopter’s strategy to become the reference in customer support and services is to be highlighted at Heli-Expo with examples from its existing range of services, including demonstrations of the company’s Keycopter on-line customer services portal; along with future tools such as “e-TechPub” – a new generation of interactive electronic technical publications, and PC2-DLE – an application designed to help operators computing weight or exposure time for takeoff and landing.

Exhibited as well at Heli-Expo 2013 will be Eurocopter’s Helionix avionics suite, which brings together such features as LED (light-emitting diode) displays, an innovative crew alerting concept with an on-demand vehicle monitoring system, a 4-axis dual-duplex automatic flight control system, and enhanced situational awareness.

Rounding out the company’s exhibit stand presence is a virtual configurator that realistically renders Eurocopter’s helicopter family members in a 3D representation with multiple options and paint schemes. The configurator provides internal and external views from various angles, and presents the 3D visualization on a large showroom screen.

Also, an EC130 T2 will be flying in the Las Vegas sky during Heli-Expo 2013. This popular member of Eurocopter’s lightweight single-engine product line – which incorporates changes to approximately 70 percent of the helicopter’s airframe structure – was introduced at last year’s Heli-Expo event, and is now in operational service.

Follow all of Eurocopter’s activities at this major helicopter industry gathering, including its daily announcements and feature stories, by visiting the dedicated Heli-Expo 2013 website at events.eurocopter.com (#EXPO13 on social networks)

To follow the EC175’s demonstration tour, EC175.eurocopter.com (#EC175DemoTour on social networks)

About Eurocopter (www.eurocopter.com)
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services.
The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 38 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries.
Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

For more information, please contact:

Eurocopter highlights its 30 years of commitment in the Middle East Region during IDEX 2013

Abu Dhabi, UAE, February 14, 2013, During the International Defence Exhibition and Conference - IDEX, Eurocopter is set to showcase more than three decades of experience acquired in the military helicopter sector. Benefiting from its wide diversity of rotary- wing aircraft and their ability to adapt to a broad spectrum of missions, Eurocopter’s product line represents a benchmark – with operational uses ranging from reconnaissance, identification and tracking to deterrence, escort, attack, rescue and survey and troop transportation. The company military capabilities and expertise are displayed at the EADS booth in Hall 8, stand B05 with mock-ups of the NH90 in the naval version, the AS565 Panther and the EC145T2.

During the International Defence Exhibition and Conference - IDEX, Eurocopter is set to showcase more than three decades of experience acquired in the military helicopter sector. Benefiting from its wide diversity of rotary- wing aircraft and their ability to adapt to a broad spectrum of missions, Eurocopter’s product line represents a benchmark – with operational uses ranging from reconnaissance, identification and tracking to deterrence, escort, attack, rescue and survey and troop transportation. The company military capabilities and expertise are displayed at the EADS booth in Hall 8, stand B05 with mock-ups of the NH90 in the naval version, the AS565 Panther and the EC145T2.

Currently more than 650 Eurocopter helicopters fly in the Arab world, with more than 80 percent of them for military use. Eurocopter is supporting the region's armed forces for missions including combat, transport, Search and Rescue (SAR), counter-terrorism, special missions and training. Eurocopter also remains active in providing the best support to its customers, thanks to a maintenance center in the United Arab Emirates with long-standing partner Falcon Aviation Services (FAS). Through an operating agreement that was renewed last month, this center provides full maintenance and revision services, reinforcing the company’s customer support network in the region and supplementing Eurocopter’s platform in Abu Dhabi. In addition, a Eurocopter technical office has been opened in Islamabad for the daily support of its long-standing customers in Pakistan.
 

© Eurocopter, OCKIER CARL

“In a region where loyalty and confidence are important qualities, Eurocopter will build on its proven relationship of more than 30 years with governmental, military, parapublic and civilian operators throughout the region,” explained Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Customer Relations. “With a strong footprint in the Middle East, we continue to see a demand for our helicopters for military use. Equipped with the latest technology, they are able to perform all their missions in the most severe operational environment and critical situations”.

Built by NHIndustries, a consortium formed by Eurocopter, AgustaWestland and Fokker, the NH90 is just one of the models on show. To date, 136 NH90s have been delivered to customers, including 18 NH90s in the naval version. The fleet has now clocked up more than 30,000 flight hours, mainly in SAR missions performed in especially demanding environments and also in the Afghan theater of operations. Compatible with 80 types of NATO frigates, the naval version of the NH90 has fully demonstrated its capabilities in a wide range of missions, from reconnaissance, ship identification and tracking to rescue and transportation of passengers and troops. The first customer of the NH90 in the Middle East is the Sultanate of Oman with an order of 20 helicopters. Today, 12 NH90s have been delivered to operate especially in utility missions.

Eurocopter’s display of the AS565 Panther in scale model form at IDEX underscores this helicopter’s attributes of speed and maneuverability for security and defense missions, with its operational credentials further enhanced by the twin-engine helicopter’s endurance, range and capabilities in overwater surveillance, tracking and search & rescue. The AS565 has been proven in Middle East operations for the protection of coastlines and surveillance of offshore economic zones with countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

The EC145 T2 is Eurocopter’s evolved version of the popular twin-engine EC145, incorporating new Arriel 2E engines, along with the company’s Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, upgraded main and tail rotor gear boxes, new digital avionics suite and a 4-axis autopilot. It is tailored for the Middle East’s emerging needs in law enforcement, border surveillance, medical airlift and other missions.

The EC145 helicopter family scored a major success when it was selected by the U.S. Army for its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program, with the contract comprising nearly 350 aircraft in total. More than 250 of these helicopters, which are designated the UH-72A in their U.S. Army configuration, have now been received by the customer – with all delivered on time and on cost from the production line of Eurocopter’s American Eurocopter subsidiary in the state of Mississippi. Feedback on the operational use of this fleet has been incorporated into the new T2 version now available to armed forces.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

For more information, please contact:

Website: www.eurocopter.com

Eurocopter grows in Mexico with the inauguration of a production center for high-technology aircraft components

Querétaro, Mexico, February, 14, 2013 Eurocopter expanded its global industrial footprint and enhanced the company’s presence in Mexico with today’s inauguration of a new manufacturing center of excellence at Querétaro, which is to produce high-technology aircraft structural metallic components. The event was attended by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, along with other key government, local and Eurocopter officials.

Eurocopter expanded its global industrial footprint and enhanced the company’s presence in Mexico with today’s inauguration of a new manufacturing center of excellence at Querétaro, which is to produce high-technology aircraft structural metallic components. The event was attended by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, along with other key government, local and Eurocopter officials.

Located at the Aerotech Industrial Park adjacent to Querétaro Intercontinental Airport, this 12,000-square-meter facility will be the single-source production site for structures used in jetliner doors that the company manufactures for Airbus, along with tail booms to equip Eurocopter Ecureuil helicopters. The site also is home to a recently-opened 1,000-square-meter maintenance center specialized in the Ecureuil family of helicopters, which serves the region’s Eurocopter clients operating the popular lightweight rotorcraft.
 

© Eurocopter

“Today’s inauguration underscores Eurocopter’s strategy of being present in key geographical regions for its customers, and developing manufacturing capabilities where technological and industrial infrastructure supports value-added production,” said Eurocopter President & CEO Lutz Bertling during comments at the opening ceremony. “In addition, this marks the 30th anniversary of our Eurocopter de México subsidiary, which continues our nearly 50-year presence in the country.”

Also joining invited guests at the Querétaro facility inauguration event were Gerardo Ruiz Esparza, Mexico’s Minister of Transportation and Communications; Idelfonso Guajardo Villareal, Minister of Economy, Lic. Claudia Ruiz Massieu Salinas, Minister of Tourism, and José E. Calzada Rovirosa, Governor of the Mexican state of Querétaro.

“The importance of Eurocopter’s industrial commitment to Mexico is demonstrated by the role of Querétaro’s as the sole manufacturing source for all the aircraft components it will produce,” said Serge Durand, the CEO of Eurocopter de México. “This makes the new facility a vital element in Eurocopter’s global supply chain.”

Construction of the Querétaro manufacturing center began early 2012, followed by the hiring and training of personnel during the year. It will create approximately 200 specialized jobs, enabling the plant to generate 200,000 production hours annually during its initial phase of activity.

Eurocopter’s market presence in Mexico began in 1964, when the first Alouette helicopters arrived to serve the Mexican Air Force and the country’s Presidential Air Transport Unit. Based on the company’s business growth and its policy of developing regional resources for marketing, maintenance, technical and support services, as well as training, the Eurocopter de México
subsidiary was established in 1982.

Today, more than 450 Eurocopter helicopters are flying with operators in Eurocopter de México’s area of responsibility, covering Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and the northern sector of South America. This inventory includes the AS350 B3, utilized in public services, private transportation and aerial utility work; the EC145, deployed for oil and gas airlift; the Dauphin
family for private transportation, along with oil and gas missions; and the EC725/EC225, deployed in air force, navy and governmental duties.

In addition, all Mexican presidents since the 1960s have flown in Eurocopter-built helicopters, which are operated by the country’s Presidential Air Transport Unit.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

For more information, please contact:

Website: www.eurocopter.com

Eurocopter and AVIATORS lead the way in emergency medical services in India with a major contract for the EC135

New Delhi, India, February 14, 2013 Marking a key milestone in India’s development of modern heliborne resources to support lifesaving missions, AVIATORS Pvt Ltd signed today, in the presence of French President François Hollande, a firm order for an initial batch of seven Eurocopter EC135 aircraft for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations.

Marking a key milestone in India’s development of modern heliborne resources to support lifesaving missions, AVIATORS Pvt Ltd signed today, in the presence of French President François Hollande, a firm order for an initial batch of seven Eurocopter EC135 aircraft for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations.

A second order is expected to be carried out later this year and rapid growth is anticipated in the HEMS market – as many as 50 helicopters are expected to be deployed throughout the country in the coming years.

With first deliveries planned to take place by late 2013, AVIATORS is establishing itself as a pioneering HEMS operator in India.
 

© Eurocopter, Alexandre Dubath

“As the EC135 is a global reference in helicopter emergency medical services, it is highly appropriate that AVIATORS will introduce such operations in India with these extremely capable helicopters,” explained Norbert Ducrot, Eurocopter Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific.

The EC135 is operated worldwide for a broad range of missions, including HEMS, law enforcement, rescue operations and business aviation. Equipped with a Fenestron shrouded tail rotor and bearingless main rotor, the helicopter delivers excellent performance, range and payload capacity. Its large, unobstructed cabin, oversized sliding side doors and rear clamshell doors enable rapid loading/unloading of patients and equipment – even with the rotors turning – which facilitates operations during time-critical emergency medical missions.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

For more information, please contact:

Website: www.eurocopter.com

Eurocopter India retains the market lead in 2012, contributing to its parent company’s strong annual performance

Paced by the sales of light helicopters in 2012, Eurocopter India continued its leadership role in the Indian market last year – capturing a 70 percent share of the new civilian helicopter bookings and 43 percent of registered deliveries in this key geographical region.

Eurocopter India recorded an impressive 2012 bookings of 12 helicopters, driven largely by the outstanding sale of nine light twin-engine EC135. This represents a 70 percent market share for the two-year-old Indian subsidiary in a fledging civilian helicopter market that is making steady progress as the country begins to realize the potential and benefits of helicopter operations.

On the deliveries front, Eurocopter India is again leading for the third consecutive year with a total of six registered helicopter deliveries last year, for an overall 43 percent market share. The company performed very well in the light- and medium-category, where every three out of four rotorcraft delivered were Eurocopter products.

“Eurocopter has a 50-plus year relationship with India, and the Eurocopter India affiliate’s performance last year underscores the value of our company’s ability to provide proximity services to meet customers’ needs,” explained Eurocopter President & CEO Lutz Bertling. “We will continue developing our presence in this market, building on the strengths of Eurocopter India as the only full-fledged subsidiary to be established in the country, with plans to expand organically and through co-operations with local partners.”

In addition to Eurocopter India’s headquarters in New Delhi, the company has an office in Bangalore, and it expanded the footprint during 2012 with the opening of a new Mumbai location.

Industrial co-operation remains a focal strategy for the company, with many local partnerships formed to boost the local aviation industry. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. has been the global supplier of composite chipsets for Eurocopter’s Ecureuil/Fennec helicopter family; Pawan Hans Helicopters, who owns the largest Dauphin fleet in the world, operates the only Eurocopter-approved MRO (maintenance, repairs and overhaul) centre for Dauphin helicopters in India; and Mahindra & Mahindra has come on board as a commercial partner in the joint development of new market segments.

The sales and deliveries performance of Eurocopter India last year contributed to the Eurocopter parent company’s all-time record turnover of 6.3 billion euros in 2012, while its annual bookings of 5.4 billion euros marked the company’s third consecutive yearly increase since 2010.

About Eurocopter India Pvt Limited
On October 20, 2010, Eurocopter inaugurated its new Indian subsidiary, which has been given the goals of expanding the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer’s commercial presence in this highly-promising marketplace, reinforcing its support and services network throughout the country, and further developing the company’s five-decade relationship with the Indian industry. Eurocopter India is the 25th subsidiary established worldwide by Eurocopter and the 10th in Asia. It is the first and only foreign helicopter manufacturer to have created a full-fledged subsidiary in India. The subsidiary is headquartered in New Delhi and has an existing facility in Bangalore for the management of industrial activity. A new commercial office was opened in Mumbai in 2012.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

For more information, please contact:

Website: www.eurocopter.com

Eurocopter books a new EC135 helicopter order in India and delivers another to an Indian operator

Bangalore, India, February 8, 2013 A record nine units of Eurocopter’s EC135 was sold in 2012, making it the most sought-after light twin-engine helicopter in India. The growing popularity of the EC135 in India was further demonstrated by a new order from one Indian customer and the delivery of an EC135 to another, at the Aero India 2013 exhibition.

A record nine units of Eurocopter’s EC135 was sold in 2012, making it the most sought-after light twin-engine helicopter in India. The growing popularity of the EC135 in India was further demonstrated by a new order from one Indian customer and the delivery of an EC135 to another, at the Aero India 2013 exhibition.

Eurocopter signed a contract for the sale of one EC135 to Ghodawat Industries for this Indian company’s business aviation requirements. Configured with seating for four passengers, the helicopter will be delivered in May this year and is to replace the company’s smaller Eurocopter EC120.
 

© Eurocopter, Charles Abarr

Separately, Eurocopter provided a new EC135 to Mahindra & Mahindra, for corporate transportation use. Mahindra’s aerospace manufacturing arm, Mahindra Aerospace, is a valued partner of Eurocopter, both parties having forged a trade partnership focused on the manufacture of subassemblies, engineering and customization of civil helicopters, and the joint development of specific market segments in India.

“In 2012, the majority of new contracts we signed with Indian customers were for the EC135,” stated Eurocopter India CEO Xavier Hay. “The Ecureuil and Dauphin families have been leading the light-single and medium-class segments respectively in India. The EC135 has now made its mark to be the helicopter of choice for customers looking for light twin-engine rotorcraft products.”

There are over 1,000 EC135 in operation around the world for a broad range of missions, including law enforcement, emergency medical services (EMS), rescue operations and business aviation. It is especially well-received by EMS operators due to its large, unobstructed cabin, oversized sliding side doors and rear clamshell door that enable rapid loading/unloading of passengers and equipment. The Fenestron shrouded tail rotor is another welcomed feature that not only makes the EC135 a quiet machine to fly in the city, but also provides additional safety on the ground for passengers and crew; hence its increasing popularity in the corporate transport and business aviation market.

About Eurocopter India Pvt Limited
On October 20, 2010, Eurocopter inaugurated its new Indian subsidiary, which has been given the goals of expanding the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer’s commercial presence in this highly-promising marketplace, reinforcing its support and services network throughout the country, and further developing the company’s five-decade relationship with the Indian industry. Eurocopter India is the 25th subsidiary established worldwide by Eurocopter and the 10th in Asia. It is the first and only foreign helicopter manufacturer to have created a full-fledged subsidiary in India. The subsidiary is headquartered in New Delhi and has an existing facility in Bangalore for the management of industrial activity. A new commercial office was opened in Mumbai in 2012.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

For more information, please contact:

Website: www.eurocopter.com