February 27, 2008
The American Eurocopter business unit of EADS North America has further reinforced its U.S. market presence with two launch customers for the new 16-seat Eurocopter EC175 rotary-wing aircraft, and expanded its rapidly-growing order book for the company’s overall helicopter product line.
Announcements of these developments were made during the Heli-Expo 2008 show in Houston, Texas this week, where the EC175 was unveiled and numerous new contracts with U.S. customers were announced.
The twin-engine EC175 is a medium-sized helicopter designed for a full range of applications, including the transportation of crews to off-shore oil and gas rigs, homeland security and emergency medical service airlift, long range search and rescue missions, public service operations, and top-of-the-range business and commercial aviation flights.
Two U.S. clients were among the customers announcing their intentions at Heli-Expo 2008 to acquire the EC175. The Halvorson family, which owns large helicopter tour and charter operators, signed for 10 aircraft (five firm, plus five options); and the Briston Group, a major helicopter transportation services provider to the offshore oil and gas industry also committed to the EC175.
Overall, the Eurocopter parent company of American Eurocopter secured intentions-to-buy for 111 EC175s from 13 different customers. The helicopter’s maiden flight is targeted for 2009, with type certification expected in 2011.
In other new business announced at Heli-Expo 2008, the Halvorson family’s Papillon Airways Inc. helicopter tour operator is purchasing seven EC130B4 helicopters from American Eurocopter with an option for eight more, while its Rainier Heli-Lift charter services company is acquiring five AS350B2s and five EC145s.
American Eurocopter’s position in the U.S. law enforcement marketplace was further strengthened with three orders made public at this week’s helicopter convention. The Texas Department of Public Safety will expand its current fleet of nine AS350B2s with five additional AS350B2s and one EC145, while the Anaheim Police Department Air Support Unit is purchasing a second AS350B2 helicopter and the Los Angeles Police Department is acquiring a 14th AS350B2 helicopter for its Air Support Division.
Two new bookings in the air medical sector also were detailed at Heli-Expo 2008. STAT MedEvac – the air medical service operated by the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. – announced the purchase of two EC135s from American Eurocopter with an option to buy three more, and the Memphis Medical Center Air Ambulance Service signed for an AS350B3.
In a key product line milestone, American Eurocopter marked the first EC225 helicopter delivery in the United States. During a ceremony at the Eurocopter’s Heli-Expo exhibit booth, this heavy twin-turbine rotary-wing aircraft was handed over to Era Helicopters LLC, which also will receive three additional EC225s this year, followed by two in 2009 and another two in 2010. Era Helicopters will be introducing the EC225 on transportation missions in the Gulf of Mexico in support of oil/gas exploration and production. The EC225 already is in service with international oil and gas industry operators, including operations in the harsh North Sea environment.
