HANGAR TALK


Digital and App magazine readers can watch video on the EC135 by clicking the play button.


Canada PWC 206B3. New rotor blades have been extended nearly 4 inches. Among the resulting improvements


Eurocopter EC135 is Efficient, Multi-Mission Law Enforcement Aircraft


Law enforcement agencies looking


to upgrade their airborne mission capa­ bilities need look no further than the Eurocopter EC135, a versatile and highly capable light twin­engine helicopter marketed by American Eurocopter. Nearly 1,100 EC135s are in use global­


ly, with missions heavily focused on air­ borne law enforcement and emergency medical transport services. The latest variant of this mission­tested helicopter is the EC135 T3/P3, which offers signifi­ cant performance improvements espe­ cially for high altitude and hot weather conditions. “The EC135 is a very efficient platform


with multimission capabilities,” said Ed Van Winkle, American Eurocopter’s Sales Manager for Airborne Law Enforcement. “It can be operated IFR in marginal conditions. It can be equipped with infrared systems, a hoist or outfit­ ted for medevac missions.” U.S. law enforcement agencies now


operating the EC135 include the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing and the Broward County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit. The EC135 T3/P3 variant offers a


choice of new, more powerful turbine engines, either the Turbomeca Arrius 2­ plus (T3 version) or the Pratt & Whitney


12 June 2013


are significantly better hot/high per­ formance (530 pounds more payload at 4,900­feet altitude, ISA+20 conditions), improved maximum takeoff weight (a 66 pound increase to 6,570 pounds compared with the most recent EC135 P2e/T2e versions), and an improved flight envelope. Both models feature optimized


FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) software and enhanced air intakes compatible with inlet barrier fil­ ters, which protect the engines from sand, dust and foreign object damage. In the cockpit, improvements for the


EC135 T3/P3 are the integration of Garmin’s GTN 750 fully­integrated navi­ gation, communications, and GPS avionics solution with a large touch­ screen display; installation of the Appareo Vision 1000 flight data moni­ toring and cockpit imaging device; and an iPad holder with power supply. Further enhancing operational safety is a new external life raft system. American Eurocopter leads the U.S.


airborne law enforcement market, maintaining a 55 percent market share over the last decade with a product line that has become the industry standard. More than 280 Eurocopter aircraft


are operated by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Operators cite reliability, versatility and cost effec­ tiveness as key factors in choosing Eurocopter helicopters. 


American Eurocopter Names New UH-72A Lakota Production Head


Mike Spears has joined American


Eurocopter as Senior Director, Lakota Production and Retrofit at its Columbus, Miss. production facility that produces the UH­72A Lakota helicopter. In his new position, Spears will lead American Eurocopter’s team in continu­ ing its record of producing the UH­72A Lakota light utility helicopter on­time, on­cost and meeting all U.S. Army qual­ ity requirements. He also will oversee repair and modifications of helicopters for the Army and other U.S. govern­ ment customers. Spears has more than 25 years of hel­


icopter production experience. He began his career as a licensed airframe and power plant mechanic and rose to the position of general manager of the Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. production facil­ ity in Troy, Ala. At Sikorsky, Spears led a team of more than 800 people that pro­ duced and delivered U.S. Navy H­60 hel­ icopters and provided modifications and repairs to U.S. and foreign military customers. “We welcome Mike to American


Eurocopter and his role as leader of the Lakota production and retrofit team,” said Peter Cutler, vice president of Government Programs. “He will contin­ ue the outstanding performance record the plant has in meeting our customers’ requirements for Lakota production, modifications and repairs.” 


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