Aiut Alpin Dolomites takes first enhanced EC135 T3

Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 (Credit: Charles Abarr)

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first enhanced EC135 T3/P3 helicopter to Aiut Alpin Dolomites, a Northern Italy alpine rescue service.

The rescue service will benefit from a number of enhancements to the helicopter including an increased maximum takeoff weight of 2,980 kg. The upgraded EC135 is available in two versions with its corresponding upgraded engine options: Turbomeca’s Arrius 2B2 “Plus” for the EC135 T3; and Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PWC 206B3 for the EC135 P3.

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Wolfgang Schoder, CEO of Airbus Helicopters Germany says: “The EC135 T3/P3 represents Airbus Helicopters’ commitment to the continual improvement of our products, further improving a helicopter family that already is the worldwide reference for airborne emergency medical services, law enforcement and other critical missions.”

Aiut Alpin Dolomites currently operates an EC135 T2, which is deployed on the steep slopes and ski areas of the Dolomite mountains.

Raffel Kostner, one of the founders of Aiut Alpin Dolomites adds: “The EC135 T3’s improvements are impressive. It provides the rescue teams with tremendous power reserves and augmented performance for the high-altitude missions that are an integral part of our operations.”

Around a quarter of the 1,200 EC135s that have been delivered are used in emergency medical services.

Airbus Helicopters released a short video