Eurocopter EC130

EC130 Ecureuil
EC130 B4 in flight, January 2005
Role	Light utility
National origin	France
Manufacturer	Eurocopter/Airbus Helicopters
First flight	24 June 1999
Introduction	2001
Unit cost	~US$3.6M, €3.39M (2016)
Developed from	Eurocopter AS350

External video

Official EC130 demonstration tour video

Cockpit view of an EC130 landing on at sea

The Eurocopter EC130 is a single engine light helicopter developed from the earlier AS350 Ecureuil, one of the primary changes from which was the adoption of a fenestron anti-torque device in place of a conventional tail rotor. It was launched and produced by the Eurocopter Group, which would later be rebranded as Airbus Helicopters.

During the 1980s, there was considerable interest within French aerospace manufacturer Aerospatiale to further develop their successful AS350 B3 Écureuil rotorcraft, which had been originally developed in the early 1970s. On 6 February 1987, a prototype AS350 Z (a modified AS350 B2) 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, 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 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, 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 the most highly successful single engine helicopters in air medical service".