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Airbus Helicopters delivers an EC135 to the Spanish National Police Force and the first AS355 NP for the Spanish Road Transport Authority

Albacete, December 17, 2014

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first AS355 NP Ecureuil to the Spanish Road Transport Authority (DGT) and the first EC135 to the country’s National Police Force under the contract signed in February of this year with the DGT.

The agreement covers the supply of a total of seven helicopters: four AS355 NP Ecureuils and three EC135s, with the latter model to be operated by the National Police Force. The deliveries commenced with these first two helicopters and will be completed in 2016.

© Airbus Helicopters, Luis Vizcaino

The DGT has a fleet of 12 helicopters operating from its central headquarters in Madrid as well as from regional bases and used for surveillance, traffic regulation and highway patrols throughout Spanish territory (excluding Catalonia and the Basque Country). It also operates one of the largest fleets of the AS355 NP Ecureuil in the world.

© Pablo Rada

Meanwhile, following its latest delivery the Police’s Aerial Services will now have a total of 14 EC135s, which are used for surveillance and other police missions. This reinforces the presence of this multi-purpose rotorcraft in Spain, where it has established itself as the helicopter of choice for the country’s security forces (including the Guardia Civil, National Police and National Road Transport Authority) and the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET), whether for advanced training missions or medical emergencies in Spain’s different autonomous regions.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Airbus Helicopters’ China-based training and support activities receive EASA airworthiness approval

Marignane, France, 15 December 2014

The European airworthiness authority has validated Airbus Helicopters’ flight training and support services in China, endorsing the high quality standards of these operations and their contribution to safety in one of the world’s most rapidly-growing rotorcraft markets.

The approvals involve European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification of the CGAMEC joint venture’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities – located in Shenzhen – to Part 145 standards; along with the qualification of Airbus Helicopters China’s full-flight simulator in Beijing for the EC225 rotorcraft.

“These approvals confirm our commitment to providing training and support services in China that meet the most stringent world-class standards and contribute to enhancing operational safety,” said Sylvain Goldberg, Chief Operating Officer of Airbus Helicopters China. “We will continue to devote the resources and capabilities in responding to the market needs, positioning Airbus Helicopters as a supplier of choice for rotorcraft products and services for Chinese and Asian operators.”

© Airbus Helicopters China

EASA’s Part 145 certification for CGAMEC approves the overhaul of dynamic components, the repair of rotor blades, and non-destructive testing capabilities – enabling the company to handle the most in-depth maintenance on vital helicopter elements. With this approval, the main and tail rotor gearboxes on Airbus Helicopters’ best-selling AS350 Ecureuil rotorcraft can now be overhauled in-country to the aircraft manufacturer’s quality standard.

Created in 2001, CGAMEC is a joint venture of Airbus Helicopters, CITIC Offshore Helicopter Company (COHC) and Samwell. It became the first Sino-foreign joint venture in the general aviation/rotorcraft MRO sector, and is approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

The Airbus Helicopters EC225 full-flight simulator qualified by EASA provides highly realistic training for pilots and instructors, featuring a motion system and high-resolution visual displays to represent the flight enviroment in various operational and weather conditions. This allows pilots to be trained to react safely in critical situations without operational training risks. The simulator is located within the Airbus Training Center in Beijing and is part of Airbus Helicopters’ worldwide network of training centers.

About Airbus Helicopters China
Created in December 2006, Airbus Helicopters China is the local based customer center of Airbus Helicopters, responsible for sales and customer support activities for the company’s entire range of products. In China, Airbus Helicopters has a market share of 40%. With 45 years of presence and over 30 years of experience in industrial cooperation in China, more than 140 civil and parapublic helicopters from Airbus Helicopters are flying in the country today. In order to provide quality service in proximity to Chinese operators, Airbus Helicopters China has established a multi-based organization in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Harbin, Chengdu, Wuhan and Hong Kong staffed with around 100 employees.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Airbus Helicopters to Continue Providing Full Service Support for Bundeswehr’s EC135 Training Helicopters

Support contract for the fleet in Bückeburg extended until 2022

Donauwörth, December 15, 2014

Airbus Helicopters has won the support contract to maintain, overhaul and ensure the availability of the German Army Aviation School’s fleet of EC135 training helicopters. This extends the existing contract, signed in 2005, by a further seven years.

“At the core of the Airbus Helicopters full service contract is ensuring that on virtually every working day, eleven EC135 aircraft are available on the airfield for training purposes. This puts the fleet’s operational availability at over 95 percent,” explained Ralf Barnscheidt, Head of the Military Support Center in Germany. “A team of technicians that is constantly on-site at the Bückeburg location as well as our specialist maintenance center in Kassel-Calden provide technical and logistical support, carry out throughlife maintenance and even large-scale repair work, and are responsible for ensuring the mission readiness of the helicopters.” Barnscheidt added, “We’re delighted that the Bundeswehr has once again chosen to put its faith in us, building on what is now 15 years of fruitful collaboration on the EC135.”

© Airbus Helicopters / Charles Abarr - 2014

Colonel Uwe Klein, commander of the German Army Aviation School and General in the German Army Aviation Corps, stated that “Airbus Helicopters submitted the most cost-effective bid for the service contract – one that is perfectly tailored to the requirements of the German Army Aviation School – and we look forward to continuing our collaboration. The on-site teams do tremendous work: We can always count on the helicopters we need being available for each and every training session – even for night flights – so that our people have to perform just the pre-flight check.”

The German Army Aviation School in Bückeburg trains some 70 future Bundeswehr pilots using a total of 14 EC135 aircraft, which log about 6,000 flight hours a year. Over the course of twelve months, student pilots learn how to fly a helicopter under visual flight rules and also qualify in IFR and sensor flight in low-altitude night flight.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Germany’s Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen selects the world’s most modern police rotorcraft: Airbus Helicopters’ EC145 T2

Donauwoerth, Germany, 12 December 2014

Six EC145 T2 rotorcraft have been ordered by Germany’s Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia Police Force), becoming the latest law enforcement customer for this enhanced member of Airbus Helicopters’ twin-engine EC145 family. Deliveries of these helicopters are planned in 2016-2017.

As one of the largest of Germany’s 12 state flying police forces, the Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen serves North Rhine-Westphalia – the country’s most populous state, which includes the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Essen.

“The EC145 T2 is well suited for the Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen’s broad range of missions, providing capabilities that come with the world’s most modern law enforcement helicopter,” explained Thomas Hein, Airbus Helicopters’ Vice President – Head of Western Europe. “We developed the EC145 T2 with police forces in mind, working closely with pilots and officers to meet their operational needs.”

The Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen is the second such German customer, joining the Landespolizei Baden Württemberg (Baden Württemberg Police Force), which launched the EC145 T2’s law enforcement version with an order for six helicopters announced last December.
The EC145 T2 is the latest member of Airbus Helicopters’ EC145 family, incorporating new Arriel 2E engines and the company’s Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, along with upgraded main and tail rotor gearboxes, as well as the innovative new digital avionics suite Helionix® with 4-axis autopilot.

In its law enforcement configuration, the EC145 T2 can be equipped with a modern mission management system that facilitates the multi-role capabilities in police missions. Its primary role for observation and surveillance is supported by forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and daylight cameras, controlled by an operator who also handles communications and data exchange with ground-based police resources.

The Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen currently has a fleet of EC155s and BK117s, both of which are to be succeeded by the EC145 T2. Police forces throughout the country will soon be operating all-Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft fleets.

Airbus Helicopters is the global market leader for the Law Enforcement market having made 50 percent of the deliveries in the last ten years. Main markets for Airbus Helicopters in this segment are Europe and North America, with a market share of 44 percent and 28 percent respectively. In Europe, the light-twin EC135 and EC145 families are the most successful helicopters in this segment, accumulating a fleet share of approximately 46 percent.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Airbus Helicopters delivers the 2nd Super Puma AS332 C1e to the Bolivian Air Force

Bolivia, December 12, 2014

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the 2nd Super Puma AS332 C1e to the Bolivian Air Force (FAB). At the end of 2013, the FAB purchased six of these light-medium helicopters to fight drug trafficking and perform civil security and public service missions throughout the country. The first helicopter was delivered in August of this year and the four remaining helicopters will be delivered between now and 2016.

The official handover ceremony held in Cochabamba was attended by Bolivian President Evo Morales, members of the FAB High Command, France Ambassador in Bolivia, Mr Michel Pinard, and Airbus Helicopters representatives.

The contract for the Super Puma helicopters also includes a logistical support package that aims to provide the FAB with the resources and know-how it needs to ensure a high level of fleet availability. Since the arrival of the first Super Puma last summer, the FAB has benefited from the services of a permanent technical expert and the support of an instructor pilot and maintenance instructor to ensure these new helicopters enter smoothly into service. The spirit of cooperation between the two countries is also reflected in the technology transfer program to foster the development of the aerospace industry in Bolivia, which has seen more than 100 pilots and technicians of the FAB receive training.

The long-standing relationship between the FAB and Airbus Helicopters dates back to the 1970s with the Lama and Alouette. In 2009 these were replaced by the Ecureuil AS350 B3, a helicopter that stands out due to its excellent performance in high & hot conditions and which has proven its versatility on demanding missions such as the aerial work on the cable car in La Paz at an altitude of 4,000 m and also for the Dakar Rally.

In 2012 the FAB added two EC145 helicopters to its fleet, which were followed by another two in 2014. All four of these powerful twin-engine rotorcraft are used for VIP transportation and to provide support in the event of natural disasters and emergencies. These EC145s already demonstrated their versatility, resilience and reliability during the rescue operations following the floods that ravaged the eastern part of the country at the beginning of this year and on missions to transport authorities during the G77 summit held in June in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz.

The Super Puma family is particularly well suited to operations in Latin America, where more than 110 helicopters are currently in service and more than 50 are on order. Its ability to operate at high altitude, in the jungle and at extreme temperatures allows it to overcome the region’s unique challenges, especially in the mountains and plateaus of the Andes, where altitude and temperature often prove challenging.

With more than 4.75 million flight hours around the world, this fast, powerful, reliable and safe helicopter has become the benchmark in its class and is in service in virtually every country in Latin America. It is perfectly suited for a wide variety of missions ranging from tactical transport to public service, surveillance, medical evacuation and the fight against drug trafficking. Among the major assets of this helicopter, which can be rapidly configured for different missions, are its adaptability and versatility. These facets have helped it earn the confidence and trust of 94 customers in 48 countries.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

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Ready for service: Airbus Helicopters delivers the first new-generation EC175 rotorcraft

Two EC175s are received by NHV for oil and gas missions

Marignane, France, 11 December 2014

A double-handover ceremony today marked Airbus Helicopters’ first deliveries of its new-generation EC175, with two of these 7-metric-ton category rotorcraft provided to NHV for oil and gas missions in the North Sea.
The milestone EC175s will be utilized on core applications for which Airbus Helicopters developed this medium-sized rotorcraft: the airlift of crews and supplies to oil and gas platforms at sea, along with search and rescue in support of such off-shore operations.

Airbus Helicopters designed the EC175 to meet evolving mission needs in the oil and gas industry, offering outstanding performance and unmatched cost efficiency – with the capability of carrying a full payload to 90 percent of the North Sea’s offshore installations.

“Today is a very special day for all of us. The delivery of this first EC175 is indeed a key milestone for NHV, for our customer community and for our company”, said Airbus Helicopters President Guillaume Faury.

A total of 16 EC175s have been ordered by NHV in its strategy of owning a young, modern fleet. NHV will begin EC175 service this month from the Dutch North Sea base of Den Helder.

EC175 NHV delivery © Lorette Fabre - 2014

“We are proud to be the EC175’s first operator, continuing a long partnership with Airbus Helicopters that began in 1997 with a Dauphin rotorcraft, and which now includes Super Puma AS332 L2, EC155 B1 and EC145 helicopters,” explained Eric Van Hal, the CEO of NHV. “Our EC175s are joining an industry-leading fleet of Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft that was expanded through the announcement of our merger this year with Blueway.”

The EC175 is certified to the latest airworthiness standards, covering both the helicopter and its new Helionix® avionics suite – providing increased safety through reduced pilot workload, enhanced situational awareness, improved flight envelope protection and system redundancy.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada’s latest PT6 turboshaft engine version – the PT6-C67E, which was developed specifically for this helicopter – the EC175 has become the industry’s benchmark medium-sized twin-engine rotorcraft across a full range of missions, including airlift duties in oil and gas operators, search and rescue, emergency medical services, public services, VIP and executive transport.

Contributing to the EC175’s competitive edge is its recommended cruise speed of 150 kts., while the maximum cruise speed exceeds 165 kts. – all achieved at extremely low vibration levels.

Excellent power performance for the EC175 includes hover out of ground effect (HOGE) with a maximum 7.5-metric-ton take-off weight at 5,800 ft. at ISA+20°C conditions; one engine inoperative (OEI) hover performance, which ensures safety during hoisting for search and rescue missions; and extensive power reserve ensuring heli-deck performance (PC1) at maximum take-off weight in ISA+20°C conditions.

The helicopter’s radius-of-action in an oil and gas mission configuration enables 16 passengers to be transported to offshore rigs at distances of 140 nautical miles (NM.) on crew change flights, extending to nearly 200 NM. when 12 passengers are carried. Further certification of the EC175 at an increased maximum take-off weight of 7,800 kg. will offer operators the ability to further expand the radius-of-action by 40 NM., or to carry 300 kg. of additional payload.

High levels of mission flexibility are ensured with the Helionix® avionics, which extends the undisputed superiority of in-flight envelope protection, pilot assistance and situational awareness that have been proven on Airbus Helicopters’ EC225 rotorcraft. In addition, the Rig ’N Fly GPS-navigation-assisted software will be incorporated in the EC175’s avionics suite to make approaches to, and take-offs from, platform-based helipads safer and simpler.

Airbus Helicopters’ EC175 delivery start-up is backed by the company’s commitment to provide a mature helicopter with a dedicated task force and tools that include validated support and services deliverables, as well as established training capabilities. The support and services offer already has been validated – including in operational conditions with Airbus Helicopters’ EC175 prototype – through a dedicated test campaign to accelerate aircraft maturity.

As part of its investment in support and services resources, Airbus Helicopters installed and certified an EC175 Level D full-flight simulator at its Marignane, France headquarters, which enabled pilot training to begin prior to the start-up of EC175 deliveries. Another EC175 Level D full-flight simulator will be located in the United States, serving oil and gas operators in the Gulf of Mexico.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

For more information please contact:

Airbus Helicopters delivers first Tiger HAD Block 2 attack helicopters to the French Army

Marignane, France, 11 December 2014

The French Army’s Tiger combat helicopter fleet expanded yesterday with Airbus Helicopters’ delivery of the first two attack helicopters in the HAD Block 2 version, following its qualification by the French General Directorate for Armament on November 21. These two Tigers will join those already in service for the military, which have proven their capabilities during operational deployments in Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Somalia, Libya and Mali.

The “Block 2” version brings additional enhancements that now offer the full capacity of the HAD version, including improved targeting accuracy for rockets, the addition of combat external fuel tanks that provide longer flight times while still enabling the full complement of armament to be used, an extension of the flight domain in which Spike and Hellfire anti-tank missiles can be fired, and the integration of digital communications for operations in today’s digital battlefield. The HAD block 2 helicopters are also “navalized,” allowing their use from ships and in sea environments.

© Airbus Helicopters / Jerome Deulin

To date, Airbus Helicopters has delivered more than 110 Tiger helicopters to France, Germany, Spain and Australia – a total which includes six HAD Block 1 attack helicopters for the French Army, along with 40 in the HAP support and escort configuration.

The newly-delivered HAD Block 2 aircraft will be operated by GAMSTAT (the aero-mobility group belonging to the technical “section” of the French Army), then assigned to the 1st Army Combat Helicopter Regiment, located at the Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base in France’s Moselle region. This unit already operates HAD Block 1helicopters, which have been deployed to the Central African Republic.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter, is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 46 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its customer centers and participations in 21 countries, and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.

For more information please contact: