Products > EC130 Overview

> Overview | Specifications | Documentation | Gallery

EC130 Overview

From popular tourist destinations to the airspace over cities across America, the EC130 is in widespread use with sightseeing services, shuttle and charter operators, as well as law enforcement agencies and other operators.

The EC130 uses a Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 turbine engine with FADEC digital engine controls, which provides reliable power to its Starflex main rotor and Fenestron® tail rotor. Keys to the EC130’s success are its low noise level, excellent performance and the extremely roomy and comfortable cabin for a light single-engine helicopter. A fast cruise speed of 130 knots takes the EC130 B4 to its destination quickly and efficiently.

These features have made the EC130 a key part of American Eurocopter’s AStar product line, and a leader in the helicopter tourism sector. Maverick Helicopters – which offers rotary-wing tours of the Las Vegas Strip and the Grand Canyon, as well as corporate transport and charter wedding flights – plans to build its major fleet of EC130 B4s up to 50 aircraft by the end of 2010. Its helicopters are fitted with seven theater-style passenger seats that face forward, giving everyone a clear view through the large windows.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, which was the launch customer for the EC130, has already logged 10,000 flight hours on several of its aircraft.  Blue Hawaiian, founded in 1985, is Hawaii’s largest helicopter tour company, operating a fleet of AS350 B2 AStars. EC130s, dubbed ‘ECO-Stars’ by the company.

Maverick Helicopters is the world’s largest single user of EC130 B4s, operating over 30 ECO-Stars and recently logging over 60,000 hours on the type. With an external noise level of 8.5 dB below ICAO limits and 0.5 dB under below the Grand Canyon National Park Standard – the world’s strictest noise rule – the EC130 B4 is one of the few helicopters quiet enough to serve the Grand Canyon region, which is a major part of the company’s business.

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters is another large fleet operator of the EC130, having ordered 10 of the type in 2007. Papillon, which operates out of Grand Canyon’s South Rim, is able to fly both the South and West Rims of this American landmark thanks to the EC130’s low noise levels, with the helicopter’s seven forward-facing theater-style passenger seats giving tourists an unmatched view.

In the law enforcement sector, California’s Long Beach Police Department has benefitted from the EC130’s availability that comes from the helicopter’s high reliability. Other advantages include its large cockpit, low fuel consumption, the ability to carry a full range of mission equipment and quiet operation for discretion.

© 2010 American Eurocopter Corporation. All rights reserved. Read our disclaimer.