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Did you know?
- U.S. economic impact
• Estimated at $740 million in direct activity and business brought to the network of some 1,000 vendors
- Industrial footprint
• Nearly 1 million square feet
• Production/assembly facilities at Grand Prairie, Texas & Columbus, Mississippi
- American Eurocopter’s heritage
• Our products have been flying in the USA since 1957
- American Eurocopter’s heritage
• Our first U.S. sales partnership was established in 1963
- American Eurocopter’s heritage
• Our first U.S. manufacturing partnership was established in 1969
- American Eurocopter’s heritage
• Our SA.313 Alouette II was the first ever light turbine helicopter to enter civil operation in the U.S. (with PHI)
- American Eurocopter’s heritage
• We have been a fully-owned U.S. helicopter manufacturer since 1974
- #1 in the marketplace
• We have been the #1 producer of civil turbine helicopters in the U.S. for 9 of the past 10 years
- #1 in the marketplace
• We are #1 in four market segments
- The broadest product range
• From the 2 ton EC120 to the 11 ton EC225
- A Hollywood star
• Our AS350 AStar is one of the most popular helicopters used in the movies!
- Neighborly-friendly
• Our Fenestron-equipped helicopters are some of the quietest available
- Over 2,500 aircraft delivered
• To U.S. operators since 1957
- Around the world
• Our U.S. aircraft fly the equivalent of 3,500 flights around the world each year
Markets > Tourism
Tourism
American Eurocopter is the nation’s leading supplier of tour helicopters, with a 96 percent share of the turbine tour helicopter market over the last decade.
Eurocopter’s focus on safety, noise reduction and reliability has led to its products becoming some of the most trusted helicopters in service today, safely flying hundreds of thousands of passengers each season.
The cost-effective single-engine EC120 is an ideal platform for many tour operators, combining exceptional external visibility with a cabin capable of comfortably accommodating four passengers. Its low fuel burn and long endurance maximizes operator profitability, while the aircraft’s low internal noise level and smooth ride maximize passenger comfort. The EC120’s exceptionally large baggage compartment also makes the type an excellent helicopter for safari-type overnight tours.
The AS350 B2 and B3 AStar have long been popular with tour operators, due to their large cabins, excellent performance and reliability.  The AS350 is a common sight in Hawaii, as the aircraft’s five-seat cabin and low operating costs make it a popular choice for island-hopping. The AS350 also offers a wide range of options, including floats, wire strike protection system (WSPS) and chin baggage pods. The AStar and its twin-engine variant, the AS355 TwinStar, are extensively used as well by heli-skiing operators.
The Fenestron®-equipped EC130 is the unchallenged helicopter of choice for tour operations, representing 73 percent of all turbine tour helicopter deliveries since its introduction 2001. This single-engine helicopter combines a wide cabin capable of comfortably accommodating seven passengers with unmatched external visibility and a safe, smooth flight. The EC130’s Fenestron® anti-torque device also makes it one of the few helicopters in the world to meet the Grand Canyon National Park Standard for external noise; the EC130 being 8.5 dB below ICAO limits. Equipped with Eurocopter’s Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) with First Limit Indicator (FLI), the EC130 also can be equipped with floats and a wire strike protection system (WSPS).
