Airbus Helicopters AS350
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| Airbus Helicopters AS350 | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Airbus Helicopters AS350 |
| Caption | AS350 in flight |
| Type | Light utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Aérospatiale / Eurocopter / Airbus Helicopters |
| First flight | 1974 |
| Introduced | 1977 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Various civil and governmental operators |
Airbus Helicopters AS350 The AS350 is a single-engine light utility helicopter developed by Aérospatiale and later produced by Eurocopter and Airbus Helicopters. It has been used worldwide for passenger transport, aerial work, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and military liaison tasks. The type is noted for its versatility, high-altitude performance, and adaptation into numerous subvariants and missionized versions.
Design and Development
The AS350 was developed by Aérospatiale following requirements influenced by French Army liaison needs, national aerospace policy, and civil market demand from operators in Algeria, Canada, United States, and Australia. Its design incorporated a single Turbomeca (now Safran Helicopter Engines) Arriel turboshaft, a semi-rigid two-blade main rotor derived from lessons learned with the Aérospatiale Gazelle and Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama. The airframe used lightweight aluminum alloy and composite structures informed by research at ONERA and manufacturing practices from Sud Aviation and Hispano-Suiza. Certification processes engaged authorities such as the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile and the Federal Aviation Administration, while production evolved under corporate changes at Aérospatiale-Matra, Aerospatiale, EADS, and Airbus Group.
Variants
Multiple AS350 variants address civil and state missions, with factory and aftermarket conversions by companies including Helibras, Héli-Union, and Marenco Swisshelicopter. Early models like the AS350 B and B1 emphasized light transport for operators including Air France and SNSM. High-performance variants such as the AS350 B2 and AS350 B3 incorporated uprated Safran Arriel 1D1 engines for operations in environments like the Himalayas, Andes, and Rocky Mountains. Twin-engine conversions and stretch fuselage adaptations were pursued by independent firms, linking to platforms such as the Eurocopter EC130 and influencing later designs like the Eurocopter EC120 Colibri. Missionized versions serve police forces in Paris, New York City Police Department, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police roles, while utility fit-outs support United Nations peacekeeping logistics, Red Cross humanitarian flights, and Shell offshore operations.
Operational History
Since introduction, the AS350 entered service with civilian fleets and governmental bodies across regions including Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and Oceania. Notable operational deployments include high-altitude rescue missions on Mount Everest and K2 by Himalayan operators, aerial firefighting support in California and Australia coordinated with agencies such as CAL FIRE, and tactical support for NATO forces during Kosovo War logistics. The helicopter has been chosen by broadcasters like British Broadcasting Corporation and TV Globo for news gathering, by tour operators in Grand Canyon sightseeing operations, and by energy companies servicing installations for BP and ExxonMobil.
Specifications
Typical specifications (AS350 B3 / Arriel-powered single-engine configuration): - Crew: 1–2 pilots drawn from Civil Aviation Authority-certified personnel and military aviators from services such as the French Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force. - Capacity: up to 6 passengers similar to transport configurations used by Helicopter Travel Services. - Powerplant: one Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel turboshaft variant as certified by EASA. - Performance: high-altitude capability demonstrated in records involving pilots associated with National Geographic expeditions and mountaineering teams; cruise speeds and range tailored to missions for operators like Air Methods and CHC Helicopter. - Avionics: glass cockpit and autopilot options provided by suppliers including Garmin, Honeywell, and Thales Group avionics divisions used by corporate and governmental fleets.
Operators and Roles
The AS350 serves a wide array of civil, parapublic, and military operators including air medical providers such as Air Ambulance Service, police agencies including Metropolitan Police Service and Los Angeles Police Department, utility contractors employed by Eni and TotalEnergies, and tourism firms operating in Yellowstone and Machu Picchu corridors. Militaries and paramilitary units employ the type for training and liaison in nations such as France, Portugal, Brazil, and Chile. Corporate flight departments at companies like Siemens and Nestlé have utilized AS350s for executive transport and site survey tasks.
Safety and Incidents
The AS350's safety record includes a mix of accident types investigated by authorities like the National Transportation Safety Board and BEA. Contributing factors in recorded incidents have included controlled flight into terrain in mountainous regions investigated alongside International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines, wire-strike events in urban operations, and maintenance-related issues scrutinized under standards from European Aviation Safety Agency predecessors. Fleet-wide airworthiness directives and service bulletins issued by manufacturers and agencies such as EASA and the FAA have led to rotor mast, gearbox, and engine modifications implemented by maintenance organizations including Lufthansa Technik and Heli-One.