Eurocopter U.S. Sees Sales of Its EC 155 Helo Doubling

Nothing succeeds like success, and that's why American Eurocopter is predicting a doubling of deliveries of its new EC 155 medium-lift twin next year, with four helicopters to be delivered to North American customers.

Placing aircraft in service is one way of making noise about a helicopter promoted as the quietest in its class. "You've got to have these aircraft flying," observes American Eurocopter president and CEO Rudy Palladina. "They've got to see it."

The first two American Eurocopter EC 155s are now in service, one with Fred Drasner, a media mogul who's opted for special outfitting with Custom Aircraft Completions of Teterboro, NJ. The second EC 155, with a special, high-density 12-seat interior for golfing and other sports-related expeditions, like taking your pals on traffic-beating jaunts to professional football games, belongs to Wayne Huizenga. He owns the Miami Dolphins.

Now a third EC 155 has been sold, to TAG Aviation. The TAG helicopter is also being outfitted by Teterboro's CAC, to a special new design by Dallas-based Les Jennings, says American Eurocopter corporate marketing manager Jeff Warner. It's due to enter service in June 2002, Warner added.

There are now 19 EC 155s in service worldwide, with about six for corporate customers in such far-flung places as the Middle East, the Far East and South Africa. The aircraft is also being used for border patrol (Germany) and other police work.

"We have gotten reports from all our operators about how exceptionally quiet the aircraft is both internally and externally," Warner says. The EC 155, a growth version of Eurocopter's 365 Dauphin, employs the Dauphin's five-bladed Spheriflex main rotor system.

The aircraft's Fenestron tail rotor system features 10 unequally spaced (for phase-modulation) composite blades for an extremely low external noise signature, as well as high efficiency. The tail rotor is often the biggest offender when it comes to helicopter noise, Warner says.

"We're answering the industry's desire for quieter helicopters," Warner told Show News. The Spheriflex rotor also affords an extremely smooth ride, and is said to reduce aircraft maintenance requirements as well. It's been proven in demanding North Sea offshore service, he points out.

Eurocopter is now quoting a direct operating cost of $590.27 per hour for the EC 155, down from last year's $608 (which was itself a reduction from an earlier estimated $776). "As we get experience, the direct operating cost comes down," Warner observes.

Another selling point is the EC 155's floor, which is flat throughout the entire cabin. This allows for the installation of forward-facing captain's chairs that recline. Such seats have been specified by a corporate operator in Asia, Warner says, making a worldwide helicopter first.

Also sparking interest is de-icing capability, which Eurocopter expects to have certified on the EC 155 in early 2004. Eurocopter claims an industry lead in helicopter de-icing, a feature available now on the Super Puma and which according to Warner is sparking interest in the U.S. Northeast. The feature will be available as a retrofit on delivered EC 155s. Warner projects the cost at $800,000 to $1 million.

Advanced controls are another EC 155 selling point, as Eurocopter promotes the aircraft with its Thales avionics as the first entirely digital helicopter. The EC 155 is powered by twin Turbomeca Arriel 2C1 engines, with FADEC, capable of 977 shp. A four-axis digital autopilot is fitted as standard.

The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 10,580 pounds (with internal load) and a 5,009-pound useful payload. Maximum cruise speed of 146 knots (143 is recommended, VNE is 175). Range is stated at 449 nmi.

The aircraft is priced at $6 million green or about $7 million with typical corporate interior furnishings.

-Rich Piellisch