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| Eurocopter EC155 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Eurocopter EC155 |
| Caption | An EC155 in service |
| Role | Transport helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Eurocopter |
| First produced | 1997 |
| Introduced | 1999 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Civil operators |
Eurocopter EC155 The Eurocopter EC155 is a long-range, twin-engine, medium-lift helicopter developed for civil and governmental transport, search and rescue, and offshore roles. It evolved from earlier designs and entered service in the late 1990s, joining fleets alongside types like the Sikorsky S-76, AgustaWestland AW139, Bell 412, Kamov Ka-32, and NHIndustries NH90. The type served operators worldwide, including firms and agencies comparable to Bristow Helicopters, CHC Helicopter, Royal Australian Navy, Japan Coast Guard, and Hong Kong Government Flying Service.
The EC155 traces its lineage to the Dauphin family and the Aérospatiale and Aerospatiale-Matra design efforts that produced the Aérospatiale SA 365 Dauphin 2 and the Aerospatiale SA 366 Puma derivatives; it was developed by Eurocopter following the consolidation that created the company alongside manufacturers such as Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Flight testing in the mid-1990s occurred concurrently with certification activities overseen by authorities akin to European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration regulatory frameworks; the type's rollout paralleled industry introductions of contemporaries like the Airbus A320 re-engined variants and advancements by Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney Canada. Production and industrial partnerships involved suppliers and subcontractors comparable to Honeywell Aerospace, Goodrich Corporation, Thales Group, and Leonardo S.p.A., while market positioning targeted offshore energy companies, VIP transporters, and emergency services including organizations akin to SNCF-linked services and municipal responders.
The helicopter features a five-blade bearingless main rotor and a fenestron-like tail rotor arrangement derived from the Dauphin lineage, sharing technological philosophies with rotorcraft such as the Eurocopter EC135 and the Eurocopter AS365. Avionics suites and mission equipment were offered in packages integrating systems comparable to Garmin-like navigation, Collins Aerospace-style communications, and flight management akin to installations in Boeing 737 series cockpits; sensors and rescue systems referenced capabilities seen on Lockheed Martin-equipped platforms. The airframe used composite materials supplied by companies similar to Hexcel Corporation and Toray Industries and featured cabin configurations tailored for roles analogous to medevac operations of the National Health Service, corporate transport for entities like PetroChina, and offshore logistics for corporations similar to BP and ExxonMobil.
Operators deployed the EC155 in a variety of environments including North Sea operations reminiscent of Aberdeen-based bases, East Asian services from locations such as Singapore, and Pacific operations near hubs like Perth. Notable uses paralleled missions undertaken by United Nations-chartered helicopters and specialized tasks similar to those performed by Royal Air Force auxiliaries and coast guard organizations like Korea Coast Guard and Philippine Coast Guard. The type participated in high-profile transfers and VIP duties for political figures linked to institutions comparable to Ministry of Defense delegations and state agencies; it also supported humanitarian responses similar to efforts by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and disaster relief comparable to operations following major events such as Typhoon Haiyan.
Several configurations were produced to meet demands from corporate, offshore, and public service customers, mirroring the diversification seen across models like the AgustaWestland AW109 and Sikorsky S-92. Factory-standard and customer-specific VIP interiors were fitted for clientele including conglomerates akin to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and sovereign operators similar to royal flight services in countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Specialized SAR and EMS variants paralleled equipment fits used by agencies such as the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Canadian Forces medical detachments.
Civilian and governmental operators included major offshore contractors, VIP transporters, and emergency services comparable to Bristow Helicopters, CHC Helicopter, Babcock International, and national services like the Japan Coast Guard and the Hong Kong Government Flying Service. Corporate and private operators mirrored fleets of multinational corporations such as Shell and TotalEnergies, while training and leasing companies similar to PRC Aviation and Babcock Leasing provided fleet support.
Typical specifications for the model included seating for 12–13 passengers comparable with cabin capacities of the AgustaWestland AW139, twin turboshaft engines with performance characteristics akin to Turbomeca Arriel series powerplants, and range/endurance suitable for North Sea rotations and offshore hops like those servicing platforms operated by Equinor and ConocoPhillips. Avionics and safety equipment reflected industry standards used by manufacturers such as Honeywell and Thales, while weight and performance parameters placed it among contemporaries including the Sikorsky S-76D.
The type experienced a limited number of hull loss events and incidents investigated by authorities analogous to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the Japan Transport Safety Board, with outcomes informing safety changes similar to those that affected fleets operated by Bristow Helicopters and airline-type operators such as CHC Helicopter. Lessons from these occurrences influenced maintenance practices comparable to directives issued by European Union Aviation Safety Agency and manufacturer advisories akin to those from Airbus Helicopters.
Category:Helicopters