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| Eurocopter AS355 | |
|---|---|
| Name | AS355 |
| Manufacturer | Aérospatiale; Airbus Helicopters |
| First flight | 1975 |
| Introduced | 1976 |
| Primary user | France |
| Status | In service / retired |
Eurocopter AS355 The Eurocopter AS355 is a twin-engined light utility helicopter developed in the 1970s by Aérospatiale and later produced by Eurocopter and Airbus Helicopters. It served roles ranging from corporate transport used by Royal Family of Norway-style VIP operations to law enforcement deployments similar to those of New York Police Department and emergency medical services akin to St. John Ambulance. The type operated alongside contemporary designs such as the Bell 412, Agusta A109, and Sikorsky S-76 in civil, police, and military aviation communities.
The AS355 evolved from the single-engined AS350 family produced by Aérospatiale during a period marked by consolidation among European aerospace firms including British Aerospace and Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm. Design goals emphasized redundancy and performance for operators in environments served by Heli-Expo exhibitors and sectors like offshore oil support to companies such as BP and Shell plc. Initial prototypes incorporated twin-turboshaft powerplants manufactured by firms linked to Turbomeca and aimed to meet certification standards set by authorities like the Direction générale de l'aviation civile and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The airframe used a conventional semi-monocoque fuselage with a fenestron-style anti-torque tail rotor on some derivatives reflecting technologies promoted at industry events like the Paris Air Show. Avionics suites were iteratively upgraded, integrating navigation systems from suppliers showcased at International Aerospace Exhibition and autopilot modules comparable to systems used on Airbus A320 family cockpits for mission flexibility in corporate, law enforcement, and air ambulance roles.
Operators fielded the AS355 in diverse theaters ranging from urban policing in cities like Los Angeles and London to humanitarian relief missions coordinated with agencies such as United Nations peacekeeping contingents. The type performed aerial survey and news-gathering tasks for broadcasters like BBC and CNN, supported by camera mount manufacturers represented at NAB Show. Offshore support missions paralleled operations by crews from companies operating in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Military and paramilitary users applied the AS355 for observation, liaison, and light transport duties in regions including deployments similar to those by forces in Peru and Chile, while corporate flight departments for corporations like Siemens and Nestlé used the type for executive transport. The platform participated in training programs often run in cooperation with academies such as the Empire Test Pilots' School and maintenance frameworks influenced by standards of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Several factory and aftermarket variants addressed different mission needs and customer preferences, reflecting patterns similar to variant proliferation seen with the Cessna 208 Caravan and Piper PA-28 families. Notable variants included models with different powerplants and avionics suites, some tailored for high-altitude operations comparable to conversion work for aircraft used in Andes environments, and others optimized for single-pilot IFR operations according to guidance from authorities like the Civil Aviation Authority.
Conversion and upgrade programs offered by MRO providers and manufacturers paralleled those available for types such as the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma and AgustaWestland AW109, enhancing payload, range, and surveillance capabilities for law enforcement agencies akin to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Typical specifications for the twin-engined AS355 variant included performance figures and system descriptions comparable to contemporaries like the Bell 206 and MD Helicopters MD 500. Powerplants were twin turboshafts from manufacturers linked to Turbomeca and similar suppliers, driving a two-blade main rotor and various anti-torque configurations. Avionics iterations incorporated navigation aids and communications equipment from vendors active at events like Aero Friedrichshafen, meeting instrument flight rules standards common to service types such as the Sikorsky UH-60 in terms of redundancy philosophy. Typical metrics included seating for pilot plus five passengers, cruise speeds competitive with light twins, and endurance suitable for EMS and patrol missions.
Civil operators ranged across continents, including corporate flight departments in United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, news organizations such as Reuters, and private charter firms serving markets like Monaco and Dubai. Public operators encompassed police services in metropolitan centers like Paris and São Paulo, emergency medical providers in systems modeled on National Health Service ambulance air services, and light military users in countries comparable to Argentina and Thailand.
The AS355 fleet experienced accidents typical of utility rotorcraft operating in demanding environments, with investigations conducted by agencies akin to the National Transportation Safety Board and the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile. Accident reports highlighted issues such as single-engine performance considerations, maintenance factors in MRO contexts, and operational risks during offshore transfers similar to incidents involving platforms in the North Sea and Persian Gulf.
Category:Helicopters