The EC 225: The Latest Advance in the Super Puma Family with Considerably Improved Performances
Farnborough, 22 July 2002
The EC 225 is the most advanced member of the twin-engine, mid-range Super Puma helicopters (11 metric ton class). The aircraft performed its first flight in November 2000 and is currently being developed for passenger transport missions -- in particular for offshore and VIP. It will also be used for public service missions such as Search and Rescue (SAR).
Let's remind that Craig Dobbin, Chairman and CEO of CHC Helicopter Corporation and Jean-François Bigay, President of the Eurocopter Group, have signed a contract at the Paris Air Show for the acquisition of an EC 225. Another EC 225 was ordered by CHC in December 2001. With this contract, CHC Helicopter Corporation, which is one of the largest civil operators in the world, became the launch customer for the EC 225. The two executives also signed a Memorandum of Agreement concerning the acquisition of seven EC 225 and three AS 332 L2 helicopters, with deliveries to be completed by 2010.
The EC 225 is intended for the commercial market, and will have an initial take-off weight of 10.4 metric tons. This new helicopter will have significantly increased performance capabilities. It has already been ordered in military livery by the French Air Force, who will use it for combat SAR missions.
Some of the new features on the EC 225 are its new main rotor system, its reinforced main gearbox, and an integrated display and piloting system.
New Five-Bladed Main Rotor
The EC 225 will benefit from the Spheriflex main rotor head, which has proven to be effective on the SUPER PUMA L2 and the EC 155. This rotor head also has led to reduced operating and maintenance costs. The tail rotor head is also made from Spheriflex technology.
The main rotor has five blades with an advanced airfoil section. They have a spar made from composites, and parabolic tips with an anhedral (downward profile). The five-blade configuration also means that the vibration levels on the aircraft are extremely low. The diameter of the main rotor is 16.2 meters.
The rotors and the horizontal stabilizer can be equipped with a deicing/anti-icing system that makes it possible to fly in extremely severe icing conditions. The system will be certified in 2002 in compliance with the JAA part 29 standards.
A New Main Gearbox
The main gear box of the EC 225 has been reinforced in order to cope with the aircraft's increased turbine power and gross weight. The casing and gears have been manufactured using ultramodern processes, which insure that these elements are extremely reliable. The lubrication circuit includes a back-up spraying system that complies with the JAR 29 requirements concerning the "30 minute run dry".
New Engines
The EC 225 is equipped with 2 Turbomeca Makila 2A turbine engines.
Special features to be noted on this new engine include a new air-flow concept and new materials. It generates 1800 kW (2448 ch-2413shp) in contingency mode, 14% more than the previous version.
Each engine is a self-contained assembly with all the necessary systems, equipment, and accessories for its operations. The fact that the engines are modular makes maintenance and inspection much easier.
The FADEC digital engine control with dual duplex channels insures the highest level of reliability.
New Integrated Display System
The EC 225 is equipped with integrated displays and piloting known as the Advanced Helicopter Cockpit and Avionics System. It will significantly reduce the flight crew's piloting workload (digital 4-axis automatic pilot) using a new flight information display and sub-system management.
With this integrated system, the pilot and copilot can concentrate on external mission features instead of on the aircraft's functioning, which means their mission has a much higher probability of success.
The Flight Display System is composed of advanced AMLCD, plus four multi-function screens (6" x 8") and two screens (4" x 5") for the aircraft parameters.
The JAR 29 European civil certification is scheduled for the end of 2002, and the military qualification for the French Army in 2003.
Performances
| AS 332 L1 | EC 225 | |
| Maximum takeoff weight, internal | 8,600 kg / 18,960 lb. | 10,400 kg / 22,930 lb. |
| Maximum takeoff weight, external | 9,350 kg / 20,615 lb. | 11,200 kg / 24,700 lb |
| Payload, internal |
4,500 kg / 9,920 lb. | 5,380 kg / 11,870 lb. |
| Engine power at takeoff | 1,357 kW | 1,566 kW |
| Max. MGB power, 2 engines operating | 2,235 kW | 2,600 kW |
|
Maximum range, with max. weight at takeoff | 657 nautical miles | 783 nautical miles |
| Fast cruise speed (9300 kg / 20 502 lb) (3000 ft / ISA + 20°C) | 130 knots | 156 knots |
The EC 225 has the following capacities:
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To transport 19 passengers over 400 NM with the fuel reserves required by ATC authorities.
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To insure the rescue of up to 21 shipwreck victims and transport them to an offshore platform, while still maintaining excellent safety conditions.
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To insure the rescue of 15 shipwreck victims 200 NM from the coast, while still maintaining excellent safety conditions.
575 helicopters in the Super Puma / Cougar - EC 225 / EC 725 family have already been ordered. The 535 aircraft that have been delivered have logged 2,301,000 flight hours for nearly 100 customers in approximately fifty countries.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). With revenues amounting to 30.8 billion Euro and a workforce of 100,000, EADS is the largest European aerospace company and No. 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services.
For more detailed information, please contact:
Jean-Louis ESPES
Tel: +33(0) 4 42 85 95 55
Fax: +33(0) 4 42 85 95 64
Eurocopter
Aéroport International Marseille Provence
13725 Marignane Cedex - France -
Christina GOTZHEIN
Tel: +49(0) 89 60 00 64 88
Fax: +49(0) 89 60 00 44 37
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
D-81663 Munich - Germany
Chantal LINARES
Tel: +33(0) 4 42 85 60 51
Fax: +33(0) 4 42 85 95 64
Eurocopter
Aéroport International Marseille Provence
13725 Marignane Cedex - France
Christoph MÜLLER
Tel: +49(0) 906 71 45 65
Fax: +49(0) 906 71 46 74
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
D-86607 Donauwörth - Germany
Web Site: www.eurocopter.com
