EC145 T2 at Heli Expo 2014 photo: Airbus Helicopters European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified Airbus Helicopters lightweight E...
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| EC145 T2 at Heli Expo 2014 photo: Airbus Helicopters |
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified Airbus Helicopters lightweight EC145 T2 helicopter for commercial operations, clearing for customer deliveries beginning in the third quarter of this year.
The certification covers the full range of capabilities, including single-pilot and instrument flight rules (IFR) and single engine operations (Cat.A/VTOL), along with night vision goggle capability.
Airbus Helicopters has received orders and options for more than 100 EC145 T2s, along with 15 of the military EC645 T2 variant for the German Army. Currently approximately 20 EC145 T2 are in series production.
Enhancements incorporated in the T2 version of the 4-metric-ton category EC145 include two new Turbomeca Arriel 2E turboshaft engine and the Airbus Helicopter’s signature Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor, along with upgraded main and new tail rotor gear boxes, and an advanced cockpit that uses AH’s innovative Helionix digital avionics suite with 4-axis autopilot.
The new dual FADEC engines combined with an upgraded main gear box guarantee an unprecedented level of one-engine inoperative (OEI) performance improving flight safety.
The Fenestron technology in which the tail rotor is placed in a duct, improves anti-torque control efficiency, reduce power demand in forward flight, lower noise and vibration levels, reduces tip vortex losses, shields the tail rotor from damage and shields ground crews from the hazard of a spinning rotor.
The Fenestron features a new-design tail gearbox with lower maintenance costs, and incorporates a duplex tail rotor actuator and dual hydraulic circuits. This is installed in a new, damage-tolerant all-composite tail boom.
The EC145 also features a completely separate fuel system, a tandem hydraulic system, a dual electrical system and redundant lubrication for the main transmission. Additional built-in safety aspects include energy-absorbing fuselage, seats and crash-resistant fuel cells.
