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55-491: During the 1980s, there was considerable interest within French aerospace manufacturer Aerospatiale to further develop their AS350 series Écureuil rotorcraft, which had been originally developed in the early 1970s. On 6 February 1987, a prototype AS350 Z (a modified AS350) conducted its first flight with a Fenestron tail-rotor fitted in the place of its conventional counterpart. The AS350 Z test program stretched across several years,

110-625: A congested area (town, settlement, etc.) it must fly high enough so that in the case of an engine failure, it is able to land clear safely AND it must not fly less than 300 m (1000 ft) above the highest fixed object within 600 m of the aircraft. Member states are allowed to modify the low flying rule to suit their jurisdiction, for instance in the UK, the "500 ft Rule" allows pilots to fly below 500 ft as long as they are no closer than 500 ft to any person, vessel, vehicle, building or structure. The rules for flying near congested areas are

165-470: A flight may only operate under IFR. IFR operations have specific training requirements and certification required of the pilot, and increased equipment requirements for the aircraft. Additionally, an IFR flight plan must usually be filed in advance. For efficiency of operations, some ATC operations will routinely provide "pop-up" IFR clearances for aircraft operating VFR, but that are arriving at an airport that does not meet VMC requirements. For example, in

220-507: A joint French-British attempt to develop and market a supersonic commercial airliner. Initial work on this project had begun at Sud Aviation and the Bristol Aeroplane Company , its British counterpart. The engines for Concorde were also developed as a joint Anglo-French effort between SNECMA and Bristol Siddeley . However, the programme was highly politicised and encountered considerable cost overruns and delays. Ultimately, it

275-557: A pilot to be able to see outside the cockpit to control the aircraft's altitude, navigate, and avoid obstacles and other aircraft. Governing agencies establish specific requirements for VFR flight, including minimum visibility, and distance from clouds, to ensure that aircraft operating under VFR are visible from enough distance to ensure safety. Under visual meteorological conditions , the minimum visual range, distance from clouds, or cloud clearance requirements to be maintained above ground vary by jurisdiction, and may also vary according to

330-458: A right-hand position; dual controls can be optionally installed. The EC130 is equipped with integrated visual flight rules (VFR) equipment coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, making it readily capable of flight under both day and night conditions. The EC130 reportedly has the largest cabin of any single engine helicopter in its class, with reportedly 54 per cent greater unobstructed space and 143 per cent more baggage space than

385-422: A set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. Specifically, the weather must be better than basic VFR weather minima, i.e., in visual meteorological conditions (VMC), as specified in the rules of the relevant aviation authority. The pilot must be able to operate the aircraft with visual reference to

440-430: A small cloud forming over the airport at less than 1000 feet technically requires the airport to allow only IFR flights using instrument approaches/departures. A VFR flight intending to land there would normally be denied clearance, and would either have to divert to another field with VMC, or declare an emergency and override the denial of clearance, which can prompt an inquiry and possibly result in adverse consequences for

495-437: A three-bladed Starflex main rotor which is matched to an enclosed tail fan anti-torque device, known as a Fenestron , the latter feature replacing the traditional tail rotor found on the older AS350. The Fenestron has unevenly spaced blades to reduce noise generation by 50% compared to a conventional tail rotor; this enabled an FAA Appendix H fly-over noise signature of 84.3 EPNdB, 8.5 dB below stage two limits. The EC130 uses

550-582: A world leader in the field of large commercial aircraft during the 1990s. Aérospatiale played a leading role in the development of the European space sector. During the 1960s, Sud Aviation had been involved in a multinational European programme to produce the Europa space launch vehicle, this being a three-stage rocket with the separate stages being manufactured in Britain, France, and Germany respectively. However, all of

605-641: A year as well as to retain their health benefits throughout. Sales of the A300 picked up and the type eventually became a major commercial success, subsequently driving both the American Lockheed L-1011 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 from the market due to its cheaper operating model. On the back of this success, further airliners would be produced under the Airbus brand and the company would become

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660-402: Is claimed to be reduced by 14 per cent. In 2012, Eurocopter received orders for 50 EC130 T2 from Maverick Helicopters, and other customers such as Papillon and Blue Hawaiian took the total then on order for the new variant to 105. The EC130 T2 was introduced to service in 2012. In 2013, Airbus Helicopters reported that a production rate of 50 EC130 T2s would be produced that year, and that this

715-416: Is claimed to reduced pilot workload, thereby increasing ease-of-use and overall safety. Dependent on customer demand and role, tactical instrumentation and equipment consoles may also be installed in the cockpit. Typically the cockpit is configured for single pilot operations, the pilot being seated on the left-hand side of the forward cabin to reduce the risk of passenger interference with the controls posed by

770-511: Is equipped with active anti-vibration control systems adapted from the Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma , these comprise five accelerometers and four linear actuators to produce smooth flight conditions and improved comfort for passengers on board. The EC130 can also be quickly configured between passenger and freight configurations. In the emergency medical services (EMS) role, various interior configurations have been developed for

825-662: The Eurocopter Group ; ownership of this new entity was shared (70% and 30% respectively) between the two parent companies. During the late 1990s, French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin 's Plural Left government initiated a policy towards the privatization of Aérospatiale. In 1999, the majority of Aérospatiale, except for the satellites activities, merged with French conglomerate Matra 's defense wing, Matra Haute Technologie , to form Aérospatiale-Matra . On 10 July 2000, Aérospatiale-Matra merged with DASA and Spanish aviation company Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA and to form

880-551: The French Aerospace Corporation , was officially rebranded as the European Aerospace Corporation , which was intended to better reflect Aérospatiale's increasing focus on collaborative efforts with its European partners. Many of Aérospatiale's initial programmes were holdovers from its predecessors, particularly those of Sud Aviation. Perhaps the most high-profile of these programmes was Concorde ,

935-539: The Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine; the performance of this powerplant has led to the type having been described as possessing "better power margins and range than competing models, particularly in hot and high conditions". The EC130 T2's enhanced Arriel engine is equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Controls ; a dual hydraulic system derived from the Eurocopter AS355 was also adopted. The EC130

990-527: The Ariane, to take the place of Europa. While other European nations were invited to participate, it would be French officials who would hold primary responsibility, and thus, make the most important decisions. This approach was agreed upon with several other nations; during 1979. Ariane was an immediate success, allowing the French to gain a strong advantage over the United States, which had centred its efforts on

1045-511: The EC130 entered service with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, being used for aerial tours of scenic areas such as Hawaii and the Grand Canyon . The EC130 is principally aimed at commercial passenger transportation operators, such as aerial tour companies, whereas the preceding AS350 continued to be produced and marketed for utility operations instead. Vertical Magazine described the EC130 as being "one of

1100-522: The EC130 had overtaken the Bell 206 as the best-selling single-engine rotorcraft on the market. In 2012, Flight International referred to the EC130 as being one of Eurocopter's best-selling rotorcraft, noting that 238 orders had been placed in 2011, a 40 per cent increase over the previous year. In 2007, an EC130 was used as a test aircraft in a large-scale flight test campaign to trial new noise-minimising (both externally and internally) flight procedures through

1155-541: The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), later rebranded Airbus . The majority of Aérospatiale's assets are thus now part of Airbus or its related joint ventures. In 1970, Aérospatiale was created under the name Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale as a result of the merger of several French state-owned companies - Sud Aviation , Nord Aviation and Société d'étude et de réalisation d'engins balistiques (SEREB). The newly formed entity

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1210-565: The FAR 91 minimums, so long as their operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In all EU member states, the Standardised European Rules of the Air apply: these set out a minimum altitude of 150 m (500 ft) above any obstacle within a radius of 150 m (500 ft), except with permission, or when taking off or landing. If an aircraft is flying over

1265-481: The French government's efforts to privatize many state-owned companies. In 1992, Aérospatiale and Germany's DASA each spun off their helicopter businesses, which merged together to form the Eurocopter Group , with the two parent companies holding 70% and 30% ownership of the new entity respectively. Eurocopter would later be renamed Airbus Helicopters . In 1999, the Aérospatiale's satellite manufacturing division

1320-670: The Space Shuttle. However, the Challenger disaster during 1986 showed that it was too complex for routine use as a satellite launch platform. Aérospatiale went on to develop more capable versions of the Ariane, which took much of the business of space launches away from the Americans during the 1990s. In 1992, Aérospatiale and the German defense company DaimlerBenz Aerospace AG (DASA) combined their respective helicopter divisions together to form

1375-574: The United Kingdom, this is known as a "Traffic Service". In other countries, it is known as "Flight Information Service". In the United States and Canada, any certified pilot who meets specific recency of experience criteria may operate an airworthy aircraft under VFR. In the US, there are specific VFR cruising altitudes, based on the aircraft's course, to assist pilots in separating their aircraft while operating under visual flight above 3,000 ft above

1430-544: The United States, California's Oakland ( KOAK ), Monterey ( KMRY ) and Santa Ana ( KSNA ) airports routinely grant temporary IFR clearance when a low coastal overcast forces instrument approaches , while the rest of the state is still under visual flight rules. For pilots without an instrument rating who cannot legally fly by instrument flight rules, the restrictions of VMC minima can be troublesome in locations where weather conditions can change suddenly and unexpectedly or when weather events are highly localized. For instance,

1485-421: The United States, Canada, and Australia, a pilot operating under VFR outside Class B, C, D airspace can request "flight following" from ATC, to receive continuous verbal updates on air traffic. This service is provided by ATC if workload permits, but it is an advisory service only. The responsibility for maintaining separation with other aircraft and proper navigation still remains with the pilot in command (PIC). In

1540-470: The United States, class A airspace is measured using flight levels , and begins at FL180 up to FL600, which is about 18,000 to 60,000 feet as measured using an altimeter at standard pressure (29.92 inHg, 1013 mbar). An exception to IFR-only flying in this airspace is the occasional allowance of sailplanes within designated wave windows which may be opened by air traffic control when high altitude flights are to be conducted into mountain lee waves . In

1595-537: The ability for various optional equipment to be installed on the EC130 is promoted, such as electro-optical systems, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras, and search lights . In a cargo capacity, it is common for the rotorcraft to be fitted with additional external mirrors and a cargo sling. In 2007, it was reported that the strongest demands for the EC130 and other such single-engine helicopters has come from Latin American and North American markets. By May 2008,

1650-630: The aircraft receiving additional modifications such as a new air intake based on that of the Eurocopter EC120 . The AS350 Z contributed to the overall development of the fenestron tail rotor. In the early 1990s, development of the new rotorcraft continued under Eurocopter, Aerospatiale having merged into the multinational Eurocopter organisation. On 24 June 1999, the first prototype EC130 performed its first flight, being flown from an airfield in France by Steven Page, an Australian test pilot. Major changes from

1705-612: The airspace in which the aircraft is operating. In some countries, VFR flight is permitted at night, and is known as night VFR . This is generally permitted only under more restrictive conditions, such as maintaining minimum safe altitudes , and may require additional training as a pilot at night may not be able to see and avoid obstacles. The VFR pilot is required to "see and avoid" obstacles and other aircraft. Pilots flying under VFR assume responsibility for their separation from all other aircraft and are generally not assigned routes or altitudes by air traffic control (ATC). Depending on

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1760-473: The category of airspace in which the flight is being conducted, VFR aircraft may be required to have a transponder to help Air Traffic Control identify the aircraft on radar in order that ATC can provide separation to IFR aircraft. Meteorological conditions that meet the minimum requirements for VFR flight are termed visual meteorological conditions (VMC). If they are not met, the conditions are considered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and

1815-427: The competing Bell 407 . On the EC130, there are three prime seating configurations; a standard layout with a single pilot and six passengers, a similar arrangement with the two central seats facing aft, and a high density layout with three front passengers seats in line with the pilot. The EC130 was the first rotorcraft to become available with the business executive-orientated Stylence cabin configuration. The EC130 T2

1870-550: The discussions, but the French and West Germans would proceed and form Airbus Industrie GIE. It was established with the purpose of building a twin-engined widebody airliner, known as the A300 . At first, it was difficult to achieve sales and the outlook for the A300 seemed negative. However, Aérospatiale continued to manufacture the airliner without orders, as it could not reasonably cut back production as French law required that laid-off employees were to receive 90 per cent of their pay for

1925-413: The flight tests conducted were failures; the programme's misfortune has been attributed to there being no central authority responsible for operations. This came as a result of the issue of workshare becoming highly politicized. When Aérospatiale stepped in, in 1973, it was determined not to repeat the mistakes of Europa. The company proposed to build a new heavy launch vehicle, which would later be called

1980-404: The ground, and by visually avoiding obstructions and other aircraft. If the weather is less than VMC, pilots are required to use instrument flight rules , and operation of the aircraft will be primarily through referencing the instruments rather than visual reference. In a control zone , a VFR flight may obtain a clearance from air traffic control to operate as Special VFR . VFR requires

2035-756: The launch customer for the improved EC130 T2. By 2015, Airbus Helicopters reported that the EC130 was in service with 279 operators and had accumulated more than 1,177,000 total flight hours worldwide. In February 2016, Indonesian industrial estate developer Jababeka signed a memorandum of understanding for up to 12 H130s for an intercity shuttle service between Jakarta and Cikarang . Data from General characteristics Performance Avionics Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) with First Limit Indicator (FLI) fitted as standard. Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Aerospatiale Aérospatiale ( French pronunciation: [aeʁɔspasjal] )

2090-578: The most highly successful single engine helicopters in air medical service". In February 2012, Eurocopter formally unveiled the EC130 T2, an upgraded variant of the EC130 featuring the more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine. Improving upon the base model's performance; more than 70% of the EC130 T2's airframe differed from the initial EC130 model, changes to improve passenger conditions such as an active vibration control system and better air conditioning systems were adopted, while fuel consumption

2145-500: The multinational European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). EADS would later rebrand itself as Airbus , taking the name of its commercial aircraft division, its primary business. During 2001, Aérospatiale-Matra's missile division underwent a further merger with Anglo -French outfit Matra BAe Dynamics and the missile division of Alenia Marconi Systems to form the multinational MBDA entity. Visual flight rules In aviation , visual flight rules ( VFR ) are

2200-519: The pilot must be flying in VMC by the time they leave the surface footprint of the controlled airspace (otherwise they would be flying VFR in IMC which is illegal). VFR flight is not allowed in airspace known as class A , regardless of the meteorological conditions except after failure of two way radio communications or during declared emergencies such as VFR traffic attempting to avoid severe weather formations. In

2255-413: The pilot. To avoid these scenarios, VFR flights intending to land at or take off from an airport experiencing localized conditions marginally below VMC minima may request Special VFR clearance from the tower. SVFR flight is only allowed while within the portion of an airport's controlled airspace (class B, C, or D) that extends to the surface, and it must be explicitly requested by the pilot and granted by

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2310-482: The preceding AS350 included the adoption of a dual- hydraulic system, the enclosed Fenestron anti-torque device, and a wide main body to provide for a cabin with considerably greater internal space. The EC130 was designed in close cooperation with tour operators, one such operator, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, being the launch operator; it has been described as having a spacious cabin for accommodating up to seven tourists and providing excellent external visibility. In 2001,

2365-588: The same in the UK as the rest of the EU CVFR flight is used in locations where aviation authorities have determined that VFR flight should be allowed, but that ATC separation and minimal guidance are necessary. In this respect, CVFR is similar to instrument flight rules (IFR) in that ATC will give pilots headings and altitudes at which to fly, and will provide separation and conflict resolution. However, pilots and aircraft do not need to be IFR rated to fly in CVFR areas, which

2420-621: The surface (AGL) but below 18,000 ft Mean Sea Level (MSL). Unofficially, most pilots use these rules at all levels of cruise flight. FAR 91.159 states that any aircraft: In the US, FAR Part 91 (specifically 91.119 ) of the Federal Aviation Regulations controls the minimum safe altitudes by which aircraft can be operated in the National Airspace System . Other aircraft, such as helicopters, powered parachutes, and weight-shift-control aircraft, are not required to meet

2475-474: The tower (some airports, primarily large Class B facilities, do not allow SVFR operation in their airspace at all). Visibility on the ground must still be greater than one statute mile, but most other VMC minima such as ceiling are waived. The pilot is required to maintain VFR separation distances from other aircraft and, by requesting SVFR, asserts that they can do so despite the marginal conditions. For departing flights,

2530-508: The type; optional equipment includes customised mounting points for medical equipment, air compressors and liquid oxygen tanks, and United Rotorcraft ’s Lowered Patient Loading System (LPLS). The EC130 has been popular with Air medical services (AMS) operators due to its large cabin being capable of accommodating up to two stretchers and two attendees, as well as a baggage area for storing equipment, wide side doors for access, and its enclosed Fenestron tail for safety. For law enforcement roles,

2585-413: The typical flight envelope, including during take-off, approach, and while at cruise. In February 2008, it was announced that aerial tour operator Maverick Helicopters' fleet of 28 EC130s, the largest single operator in the world, had accumulated a combined total of 60,000 flight hours. By March 2015, Maverick's fleet was officially recognised as having attained 300,000 flying hours. Maverick also served as

2640-415: Was a major French state-owned aerospace and defence corporation. It was founded in 1970 as Société Nationale Industrielle Aérospatiale (English: National Aerospace Industrial Company ) through the merger of three established state-owned companies: Sud Aviation , Nord Aviation and SEREB . The company was headquartered in the 16th arrondissement of Paris . During its existence, Aérospatiale

2695-465: Was acquired by Alcatel to form Alcatel Space, later renamed Thales Alenia Space . Aérospatiale's remaining assets were merged with the aerospace, defence and telecommunications division of the French conglomerate Matra ( Matra Hautes Technologies ) to form Aérospatiale-Matra in July 2000. One year later, in 2001, Aérospatiale-Matra merged with DASA and Spain's Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) to form

2750-647: Was also prominently involved in many high-profile multinational programmes such as the Concorde supersonic airliner, the Ariane series of launch vehicles, and the Airbus A300 , the world's first twin-engined widebody airliner. As a consequence of the peace dividend following the dissolution of the Soviet Union , much of the European aerospace and defence industry began to consolidate, with Aérospatiale's break-up accelerated by

2805-473: Was designed with various avionics and safety features, including flight data recorders , crash-worthy seats, and redundant flight systems for greater reliability; the EC130 T2 had further safety features installed. Vertical Magazine described the cockpit instrumentation as being "straightforward" and the control response as "tight and pleasant". Piloting aids such as the Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD)

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2860-473: Was expected to rise to 65 per year in 2014. In August 2013, Airbus Helicopter's Brazilian subsidiary Helibras assembled its first EC130 T2; the first Australian-assembled EC130 T2 followed in December 2013. In 2021, Airbus tested a hybrid electric assist in an H130 to extend reaction time up to 30 seconds during transition to autorotation after engine failure. The EC130 is a single-engine helicopter. It uses

2915-489: Was negatively affected equally by bad political decisions and an oil crisis in the 1970s; thus, only two airlines purchased Concorde. Aérospatiale's senior management were keen to avoid the mistakes of the Concorde program. Their next major effort would be a transnational consortium with British Aerospace and the West German 's aircraft company Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB). The British would eventually withdraw from

2970-422: Was one of the world’s largest aerospace companies. It was Europe's biggest general aeronautics manufacturer and its leading exporter in the industry. Its activies covered civilian and military airplanes and helicopters ; launch vehicles and spacecraft ; as well both strategic and tactical weapon systems, from intercontinental ballistic missiles to man-portable anti-tank guided missile systems. The company

3025-411: Was the largest aerospace company in France. From the onset, the French government owned a controlling stake in Aérospatiale; at one stage, a 97 per cent ownership of the company was held by the government. In 1971, Aérospatiale was managed by the French industrialist Henri Ziegler ; that same year, the firm's North American marketing and sales arm, which had previously operated under the trading name of

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