Eurocopter unveils EC130 T2

Eurocopter EC130 T2

The new Eurocopter EC130 T2 was revealed during a ceremony at the 2012 Heli-Expo exhibition in Dallas, where Eurocopter also announced seven launch customers for the aircraft covering a total of 105 bookings: Maverick Helicopters, Papillon Helicopters, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Scandinavian Helicopter Group, Air Commander, Europavia and Enloe FlightCare.

“The EC130 T2 is the latest step in Eurocopter’s strategy to expand and evolve our helicopter lineup. The high number of orders is proof that Eurocopter innovation is perfectly aligned with customers’ requirements and the evolution of their operations,” said Eurocopter president and chief executive officer Lutz Bertling. “The EC130 T2 has literally been ‘love at first flight’ for our customers. We are fully committed to begin deliveries of the new EC130 version in 2012.”

While retaining the EC130’s existing external lines, approximately 70 percent of the EC130 T2’s airframe structure has been modified.

The no 1 EC130 T2 has logged 90 flight hours since its first flight in 2011, the company expects certification later this summer. Final assembly of the initial series production aircraft began last December at Eurocopter’s Marignane, France facility. By the second half of 2012, production will transition completely to the EC130 T2 version.

Eurocopter released a shirt video unveiling the EC130 T2