Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Eurocopter, Aérospatiale |
| Headquarters | Marignane , France |
| Products | Helicopters, including H125 (AS350 Écureuil) |
| Parent | Airbus |
The Airbus Helicopters H125, previously known as the Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil or Squirrel, is a light utility helicopter powered by a single engine. It was initially created by the French firm Aérospatiale and subsequently manufactured by Eurocopter, which is now Airbus Helicopters. In the North American market, this model is branded as the AStar. Its twin-engine counterpart, the AS355 Ecureuil 2, is marketed under the name TwinStar.
Additionally, the Eurocopter EC130, which is developed from the AS350’s airframe, is classified within the Écureuil single-engine series by the manufacturer.
Development
During the early 1970s, Aérospatiale initiated a project aimed at replacing the outdated Aérospatiale Alouette II. Although the Aérospatiale Gazelle experienced significant success in military applications, its commercial sales were less robust, leading to the creation of a rotorcraft specifically designed for civilian use.
Under the leadership of Chief Engineer René Mouille, the design emphasized cost efficiency and economic operation, engaging teams from Production and Procurement. Key innovations included adopting a rolled sheet metal structure inspired by automotive manufacturing techniques and implementing the Starflex main rotor system. The design intended to support both civil and military versions that complied with established defense standards.
The initial prototype, designated AS350C and equipped with a Lycoming LTS101 turboshaft engine, completed its maiden flight on 27 June 1974 in Marignane, France. A second prototype followed on 14 February 1975, powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 1A engine. The Arriel-driven AS350B received certification in France on 27 October 1977 for markets outside North America, while the Lycoming-powered AS350C (known as AStar) obtained approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration on 21 December 1977. Deliveries commenced early in 1978.
The AS350 Écureuil/AStar has seen ongoing enhancements over time, including upgrades to rotor technology, engines, and avionics systems. Significant developments include a fenestron tail rotor prototype introduced in 1987 and the first flight of an AS350 B3 variant powered by an Arriel 2B engine in 1997.
In addition to manufacturer improvements, aftermarket companies provide conversion kits and accessory options. Variants such as the AS350B3 incorporated advanced digital avionics like the Garmin G500H suite and integrated FADEC engine management.
Prior to 2013, production primarily took place at Eurocopter’s facility in Marignane near Marseille. To broaden manufacturing capabilities, Eurocopter began final assembly of AS350 helicopters at its Columbus, Mississippi plant targeting the US commercial sector. The AStar became Eurocopter’s top-selling commercial helicopter in the United States, averaging approximately one unit sold each business day. In March 2015, the first AS350 B3e assembled in Columbus received FAA certification. By December 2015, Airbus Helicopters announced plans to increase AS350 output at Columbus in 2016 to as many as 65 units annually.
A new Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the H125 is under development in India through a partnership with Tata Advanced Systems. This facility aims to supply both domestic and export markets. The inaugural helicopter produced in India meeting EASA quality standards is anticipated by 2026. Initial production targets are set at ten helicopters per year with potential expansion to between 20 and 50 units annually; over two decades, total output could reach approximately 500 units. The base model of the India-assembled H125 will be priced above €3.2 million. Airbus initially considered eight Indian locations for this FAL but narrowed them down to four by January 2025 before selecting Vemgal Industrial Area in Kolar, Karnataka in May 2025.
On 23 July 2024, Airbus and TASL finalized their production agreement. Critical components such as engines and gearboxes will be supplied from France; airframes will come from Germany; and tail booms will be sourced from Spain. Indian assembly operations will encompass avionics, mission equipment, flight control systems, hydraulics, fuel systems, and engine integration.
Design
The AS350 is a single-engine helicopter typically powered by either a Lycoming LTS101 or Turbomeca Arriel engine, while its twin-engine counterpart is the Eurocopter AS355. It employs a three-blade main rotor equipped with a Starflex rotor head, recognized for its superior high-altitude capabilities. Both the main and tail rotors are constructed from composite materials, which help minimize corrosion and reduce maintenance demands.
Engineered to comply with noise restrictions in environmentally sensitive locations such as national parks, the AS350 ensures a quiet cabin environment that facilitates in-flight conversation among passengers. Its rapid startup and shutdown features are particularly advantageous for emergency medical service operations. The helicopter incorporates hydraulic-assisted flight control systems that remain functional even if hydraulic pressure is lost, requiring increased input from the pilot.
The avionics suite predominantly includes components from Garmin, such as the GI 106A course-deviation indicator, GNS 430 GPS receiver, GTX 327 transponder, and GMA 340H intercom system. Safety measures are enhanced through the Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) alongside the First Limit Indicator (FLI), both designed to lessen pilot workload. Stability augmentation systems contribute to smoother flight characteristics, improving both comfort and operational safety. Newer variants feature advanced avionics like an Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), autopilot functionality, a glass cockpit with three LCD screens, synthetic-vision terrain mapping, and Airbus’s Multibloc center console for radio equipment installation.
The AS350 accommodates diverse mission requirements with multiple cabin layouts capable of seating between four and six passengers. Accessibility is improved by large sliding doors on both sides of the cabin. Operators often customize interior fittings to enable swift role transitions. Public service agencies such as law enforcement equip their helicopters with mission-specific tools like forward looking infrared (FLIR) cameras. Optional equipment packages include real-time data links, rescue hoists, underslung cargo hooks, external electrical mirrors, searchlights, tactical consoles, night vision goggle compatibility, moving-map displays, internal tie-down points, extra batteries, sand filters, wire strike protection systems, multi-channel radios, tail rotor arches, cabin floor windows, and removable seats.
Contemporary AS350 models offer dual-channel FADEC engines, enhanced digital avionics integration, lower maintenance expenses, redesigned cabin interiors, and optional premium Stylence furnishings. Older aircraft frequently undergo refurbishment programs to upgrade cockpits with glass displays and incorporate features standard on newer production units.
Operational history
On 14 May 2005, Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle achieved a historic landing atop Mount Everest at , piloting an AS350 B3. This feat was officially recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. To optimize performance for the mission, Delsalle reduced the aircraft’s weight by 120 kg and extended its fuel capacity by removing passenger seats. On 29 April 2010, a stripped-down AS350 B3 accomplished a high-altitude rescue of three Spanish climbers on Annapurna I at , setting a new record for mountain rescues. This record was surpassed on 20 May 2013 during the extraction of Sudarshan Gautam from Everest at . Later, on 2 June 2014, an AS350 B3e established a national record in Mexico by landing on Pico de Orizaba at .
In the United States market, the AS350 AStar has been notably prevalent; by 2015 it was the preferred helicopter among many American government agencies, especially within law enforcement sectors. By 1999 it had become the primary model utilized by the United States Customs Service for light enforcement duties; by 2007 this agency was recognized as the largest global operator of the type. As of 2012, approximately 783 out of 3,300 AS350 helicopters worldwide were operated by U.S.-based users.
Since 2006, Eurocopter’s Russian subsidiary Eurocopter Vostok has overseen sales and support in Russia. The airline UTair Aviation emerged as Russia's largest operator of AS350 B3e helicopters with a fleet exceeding twenty units.
In December 2014, Airbus Helicopters China received EASA certification to conduct training and maintenance services in Shenzhen. This approval enabled localized servicing of key components for the AS350 series. Subsequently, on 9 September 2015, China’s first helicopter leasing company CM International Financial Leasing placed an order for 100 Ecureuil-series helicopters comprising H125 and H130 models.
Brazil represents a significant market for the AS350; by 2011 there were over 300 units operating domestically—including deployment aboard the Brazilian aircraft carrier São Paulo. The Brazilian Navy has utilized AS350 helicopters since 1984 to support Antarctic missions. Helibras, a Eurocopter subsidiary based in Brazil, had produced nearly 600 helicopters locally by 2012 with about 70% being AS350 variants. In January 2011 Helibras secured a contract with the Brazilian Army to modernize and refurbish its fleet of thirty-six AS350 Ecureuil helicopters.
In the United Kingdom, from 1997 onward the Defence Helicopter Flying School operated twenty-six AS350s (designated Squirrel HT1) for training armed forces pilots. Plans announced in 2014 outlined replacing these with a mixed fleet consisting of Eurocopter EC130s and EC135s. The Royal Australian Navy operated AS350 helicopters from May 1984 until their retirement in 2017; these were upgraded to AS350 BA standards in 1995.
Between June and December of 2007 during the Iraq War, four AS350 helicopters were deployed by the Danish Air Force at Basra International Airport for reconnaissance and liaison duties. In June 2015 Argentina ordered twelve H125 helicopters intended to replace aging SA315B Lama models for public service roles including search and rescue missions. By June 2020 roughly 3,663 H125s were operational worldwide—the largest fleet size recorded for any helicopter model.
In Canada, Transport Canada granted certification to the AS350 C in June 1978 as the first approved variant in that country; subsequent approvals included models B and B1. The helicopter is widely employed across Canada for firefighting and mountain operations. It is commonly fitted with a Bambi Bucket capable of carrying up to 1,500 liters for aerial fire suppression tasks. Its combination of power and maneuverability makes it indispensable for challenging environments such as forests and mountainous terrain.
Variants
- AS350
- Initial prototype model.
- AS350 Firefighter
- Version specifically designed for firefighting operations.
- AS350 B1
- Enhanced AS350B equipped with a single Turbomeca Arriel 1D engine, incorporating AS355 main rotor blades, an AS355 tail rotor with tabs, and a tail rotor servo.
- Upgraded model featuring a higher maximum takeoff weight, powered by an Arriel 1D1 engine, including an aerodynamic strake on the tail boom and an angled engine exhaust to improve yaw stability.
- High-performance variant driven by an Arriel 2B engine with a single-channel Digital Engine Control Unit (DECU) and mechanical backup. Notably, it was the first helicopter to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The B3/2B1 version adds dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), dual hydraulic systems, and a maximum takeoff weight of 2,370 kg (5,225 lb).
- Introduced in late 2011, this model features an Arriel 2D engine generating 952 hp; it was subsequently renamed H125.
- Model powered by an Arriel 1B engine fitted with wider chord AS355 main rotor blades and a tail rotor servo.
- AS350 BB
- B2 variant chosen by the UK Ministry of Defence for rotary-wing training in 1996, powered by a derated Arriel 1D1 engine to extend its service life.
- Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1
- Designation for the AS350BB utilized by the British Military at the Defence Helicopter Flying School as a trainer aircraft.
- Eurocopter Squirrel HT.2
- AS350BB variant used by the British Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop; now retired from service.
- AS350 C
- The initial North American market version powered by a Lycoming LTS-101-600A2 engine and marketed as AStar, soon replaced by the AS350D.
- AS350 D
- Lycoming LTS-101 powered model promoted as AStar 'Mark III' in North America.
- AS350 L1
- Military adaptation of the AS350 B1 featuring a 510 kW (684 shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D engine; later superseded by the AS350 L2.
- AS350 L2
- Military version derived from the AS350 B2 equipped with a 546 kW (732 shp) Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine; designation replaced by AS550 C2.
- HB350 B Esquilo
- Unarmed military helicopter for Brazilian Air Force use, designated CH-50 and TH-50, produced under licence by Helibras.
- HB350 B1 Esquilo
- Unarmed military variant for Brazilian Navy operations, designated UH-12, manufactured under licence by Helibras.
- HB350 L1
- Armed military version for Brazilian Army service, designated HA-1, constructed under licence by Helibras.
- IH-18
- Brazilian Navy’s designation for the Airbus H125.
Aftermarket conversions
- Soloy SD1, Super D
- AS350 BA and D models retrofitted with an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
- Soloy AllStar
- AS350 BA upgraded with a Rolls-Royce 250-C30 powerplant.
- Soloy SD2
- AS350 B2 equipped with an LTS101-700D-2 engine.
- Heli-Lynx 350FX1
- AS350 BA variant powered by an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
- Heli-Lynx 350FX2
- Conversion of AS350 BA or AS350 B2 models fitted with an LTS101-700D-2 engine.
- Otech AS350BA+
- AS350 BA model enhanced with an LTS101-600A-3A engine.
Operators
The AS350 enjoys widespread global utilization across private ownership, commercial airline and charter services, emergency medical response units, governmental agencies, and law enforcement organizations.
Military and government operators
- Brazilian Air Force
- Brazilian Naval Aviation
- Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources)
- Military Police of São Paulo State
- Military Brigade of Rio Grande do Sul
- Military Police of Minas Gerais State
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Template:GBR * Empire Test Pilots School Template:USA * Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft Operations Division * Alaska State Troopers * Anaheim Police Department * Baltimore County Police Department Aviation Unit * California Highway Patrol * East Flagler Mosquito Control District * Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Aero Bureau * Los Angeles Police Department * Memphis Police Department Special Operations * D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (operating AS350B3 and H125 variants) * New Mexico State Police * Miami Police Department * Oakland County Sheriff's Office * Oklahoma City Police Department * Orange County Sheriff's Department (California) * Philadelphia Police Aviation Unit * San Diego Police Department * San Jose Police Department * U.S. Customs and Border Protection Template:UKR * Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ukraine) ** Ukrainian Air Guard
Retired
Australia
- N22-001 – Exhibited at the RAAF Museum in Point Cook.[2]
- N22-015 – Displayed at The Fleet Air Arm Museum, Nowra.[2]
- N22-017 – Part of the collection at The Australian War Memorial.[2]
- N22-018 – Positioned as a gate guard at HMAS Albatross.[2]
- N22-019 – Housed within the Army Aviation Museum, Oakey.[2]
France
- Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil F-WOEX is preserved at the Musee de l'Aviation Saint Victoret, commemorating Didier Delsalle’s 2005 Mount Everest landing.
Philippines
- Philippine National Police AS350BA RP-2041 is on static exhibit at Fort Sto Domingo, Sta Rosa, Laguna.Cite error: The opening
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Singapore
- Eurocopter AS350 exhibited at the Singapore Air Force Museum.Cite error: The opening
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Notable accidents and incidents
- 14 January 1986: An AS-350 helicopter carrying Dakar Rally organiser Thierry Sabine crashed in Mali following a sandstorm landing; all five occupants perished, including French singer Daniel Balavoine and pilot François-Xavier Bagnoud.
- 22 February 1995: The Massachusetts State Police helicopter N20SP collided with a yacht club building; all four aboard died due to fuel contamination problems within the Police Air Wing.
- 13 May 1996: Nepalese aviator Madan Khatri Chhetri executed the highest altitude rescue using an Ecureuil AS350 B2 during a severe snowstorm on Everest.
- 9 June 1999: Coastal Helicopters’ AS-350BA crashed on Herbert Glacier in Alaska; seven fatalities resulted from pilot spatial disorientation amid challenging weather conditions.
- 19 October 2001: New Mexico State Police AS 350B crashed during training exercises, resulting in two officer fatalities.
- 27 July 2007: Two AS-350 AStar helicopters collided mid-air while covering a police pursuit in Phoenix, Arizona, causing four deaths.
- 15 September 2007: Former World Rally Championship driver Colin McRae died in an AS350 B2 Squirrel crash near Lanark, Scotland.
- 8 August 2009: A collision occurred over the Hudson River between a Piper PA-32R and an AS350; no survivors were reported.
- 10 June 2012: Kenya Police AS350 B3e crashed near Nairobi, killing six including Interior Security Minister George Saitoti and deputy Orwa Ojode.
- 30 March 2013: An Alaska State Troopers AS350 B3 crashed near Talkeetna during a search operation; three people lost their lives.
- 7 June 2014: Helibrás HB-350BA crashed in Goiás, Brazil, with all occupants deceased including retired footballer Fernandão.
- 9 March 2015: Two AS350 B3 helicopters collided mid-air in Argentina’s La Rioja Province; ten fatalities included French reality television participants.
- 3 July 2015: An Air Methods AS350 B3e crashed during takeoff in Frisco, Colorado; the pilot was killed and two nurses sustained injuries.
- 21 November 2015: AS350BA ZK-HKU crashed near Fox Glacier, New Zealand while on a tourist flight; seven fatalities were attributed to poor visibility and pilot error.
- 5 May 2016: AS350 RP-C6828 crashed in Sarawak, Malaysia resulting in six deaths including Deputy Minister Noriah Kasnon and MP Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar.
- 11 March 2018: Liberty Helicopters AS350 N350LH suffered engine failure and crashed into New York City’s East River; five passengers died while the pilot survived.
- 27 February 2019: Air Dynasty AS350 B3e crashed shortly after takeoff in Taplejung, Nepal; seven fatalities included Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari.
- 31 August 2019: An AS350 crash in Alta Municipality, Norway caused six deaths; Airbus subsequently made crash-resistant fuel systems standard from October onward.
- 7 March 2021: An AS350 carrying French politician Olivier Dassault crashed near Deauville, Normandy with no survivors.
- 27 March 2021: An AS350 transporting Czech billionaire Petr Kellner crashed on Knik Glacier, Alaska resulting in five fatalities.
- 21 February 2022: Philippine National Police H125 RP-9710 crashed en route to Balesin Resort in Quezon; one casualty occurred.Cite error: The opening
<ref>tag is malformed or has a bad name - 1 November 2022: Midtnorsk Helikopterservice AS350 B3 crashed near Verdal, Norway; two fatalities occurred while the pilot survived.Cite error: The opening
<ref>tag is malformed or has a bad name - 20 December 2023: A Philadelphia-based news channel’s leased AS350 went down near Wharton State Forest, New Jersey causing two deaths.
- 21 April 2024: A ground handling accident involving an AS350 tail rotor on Akimiski Island, Nunavut resulted in one fatality.Cite error: The opening
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See also
Comparable models
- AgustaWestland AW119 Koala
- Bell 206
- Bell 407
- Enstrom 480
- Kazan Ansat
- Kopter AW09
- MBB Bo 105
- MD Helicopters MD 500
- PZL SW-4 Puszczyk
Bibliography
- Elliott, Bryn. "On the Beat: The First 60 Years of Britain's Air Police, Part Two." Air Enthusiast, May–June 1999, Issue 81, pp.64–69.
- Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory." Flight International, Vol 180 No 5321, 13–19 December 2011, pp.26–52.
- Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces 2022." Flight International, 2021.
- Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Jane's Information Group, 2003.
- Lucchesi, Claudio. "Brazilian Police Air Unit: São Paulo's Police Eagles." Air International, June 2000, Vol. 58, No. 6, pp.376–378.
- Ripley, Tim. Middle East Air Power in the 21st Century. Casemate Publishers, 2010.
- Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. Jane's Yearbooks, 1982.
- Taylor, Michael J.H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. Brassey's, 1999.
- National Transportation Safety Board. Loss of Control at Takeoff, Air Methods Corporation Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3e, Frisco, Colorado, July 3, 2015.