Eurocopter's EC135 proves itself yet again for civil service missions, logging 100,000 flight hours in the German Federal Police’s helicopter fleet

Donauwörth, Germany, January 16, 2012
Eurocopter recognized the German Federal Police for reaching the 100,000 total flight hour mark with its EC135 fleet, which performs thousands of operations annually across Germany for law enforcement, home security and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services missions.

"The flight time logged by the German Federal Police marks a true milestone for the EC135, as this capable aircraft is given increasingly diverse operational duties for civil security missions in Germany," said Eurocopter's Executive Vice President of Programs Wolfgang Schoder. "It is further evidence of Eurocopter's commitment to delivering state-of-the art products that enable law enforcement agencies to meet demanding missions both today and in the future."

The thousands of missions flown each year by the German Federal Police Aviation squadrons highlight the contributions of the EC135 to one of the most modern and capable civil service initiatives, Schoder added. With a current fleet of 41 EC135s, the German Federal Police is one of the largest parapublic operators of this aircraft in the world.

"We appreciate the flexibility and the mission portfolio of the EC135 combined with its outstanding reliability," said Thomas Helbig, head of the German Federal Police Air Support Service. "The specific mission that achieved the 100,000th flight hour perfectly showcases the capabilities of the EC135: Carried out at nighttime with NVGs and a FLIR during a railway surveillance mission, the crew was able to detect the suspects in the very act and coordinate the pursuit, resulting in the successful arrest of the offenders."
The German Federal Aviation Group operates an all-Eurocopter fleet of more than 80 aircraft, which consists of the EC120 for training, the EC135 T2i for air ambulance and law enforcement missions, the EC155 B for light transportation and multi-role tasks and the AS332 L1 Super Puma for long distance and VIP transportation, surveillance, maritime missions and disaster relief in Germany and abroad.

As a long-term partner of civil and parapublic operators throughout the world, Eurocopter offers not only the largest range of helicopters catering to a variety of missions in every category of law enforcement, but also a full range of services such as maintenance, technical and logistical support and training, which guarantees efficient support solutions.

Today, police services in 56 countries operate more than 1,000 Eurocopter helicopters, including authorities in the U.S., Germany, Spain and Brazil.

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Eurocopter Vostok delivers first enhanced AS350 B3e helicopters for UTair Aviation, which will become the largest Ecureuil operator in Russia and CIS

Moscow, January 12, 2012
UTair Aviation has received its initial three Eurocopter AS350 B3e enhanced helicopters as this leading Russian and CIS operator builds up the largest fleet of Ecureuil family rotary-wing aircraft in the region.

These AS350 B3s are among 20 aircraft ordered from the Eurocopter Ecureuil product line in 2010 by UTair, marking the biggest contract for light helicopters ever placed in Russia and CIS. Certification of the AS350 B3e variant was issued by the area's Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) civil aviation authority in December 2011.

"We are happy to have the new AS350 B3e helicopters in our fleet," commented UTair Aviation CEO Andrey Martirosov. "These helicopters have improved flight safety and high reliability. They are powerful and more efficient, which enables us to offer a competitive product in the helicopter services market to our customers in oil and gas industry."

The AS350 B3e is an enhanced version of Eurocopter's single-engine AS350 B3, offering a high-performance helicopter capable of carrying out the most demanding missions in extreme weather and geographical conditions. Its exceptional lifting capability, high endurance, extended range and fast cruise speed make the AS350 B3e the leader in its class.

"With the AS350 B3e now certificated by the IAC, we have initiated deliveries of this latest member in one of the world's most popular helicopter families to UTair Aviation, which is an industry leader in its own right," said Laurence Rigolini, the CEO of Eurocopter's Russian-based subsidiary, Eurocopter Vostok.

Features of the AS350 B3e include the Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine with a new-generation digital FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) and an engine data recorder for condition monitoring. The integration of Eurocopter's dual-screen Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) in the cockpit allows pilots to check primary aircraft and engine parameters in one glance – thus reducing workload and enhancing safety. Eurocopter's application of composite materials for the helicopter's airframe, rotors and main rotor head gives the AS350 B3e the best protection against corrosion, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

UTair Aviation will use the new helicopters for oil and gas pipeline patrols, surveillance missions, VIP transportation and cargo airlift in Russia – including Western and Central Siberia.

The milestone 20-aircraft Ecureuil family order placed by UTair in 2010 was composed of 13 AS350 B3e helicopters, an AS350 B3, and six of the twin-engine AS355 NP versions. Deliveries from this contract began in 2011 – including one of the AS355 NPs, as well as the AS350 B3 – and will continue through 2013, with the aircraft reinforcing a Eurocopter-built fleet operated by UTair since 2006 that also includes AS355 N and BO105 rotary-wing aircraft.
Additionally, UTair Aviation is the launch customer for Eurocopter's new EC175, having placed an order for 15 of these seven metric ton-category helicopters in 2011.

About UTair Aviation (www.utair.ru)
UTair Aviation is the world's largest airline in terms of fleet having more than 330 helicopters of all classes. The base of the airline's fleet is made of Mil and Eurocopter helicopters. UTair Aviation is the largest helicopter service provider to the UN with which it cooperates since 1992. In Russia the main UTair customers for helicopter works are the leading oil and gas companies. In 2011, UTair carried out helicopter operations in Russia and ten foreign countries

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Kenya Police Air Wing becomes first African customer to operate Eurocopter’s enhanced AS350B3e helicopter

Marignane, France, January 12, 2012
The Kenya Police Air-Wing is expanding its airborne law enforcement and crime prevention unit with the delivery of a Eurocopter AS350 B3e Ecureuil helicopter.

Kenya's selection of the AS350 B3e, which is the enhanced version of Eurocopter's successful AS350 model, follows an open and competitive tender won earlier this year by Eurocopter Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd, the Group subsidiary in charge of Southern Africa markets.

The new helicopter, which was handed over to the Kenya Police, in Nairobi will be dedicated to police law enforcement and crime prevention missions including anti-poaching, anti-terrorism operations. It will also be deployed in search & rescue, casualty evacuation, personnel transport and various other civic protection roles.


The Kenya Police Air-Wing is the first African customer for the AS350 B3e, which boasts several enhancements over previous AS350 variants, including an uprated Turbomeca Arriel 2D turbine engine allowing better take-off performances while decreasing maintenance costs.

Range and payload was a primary consideration in selecting the AS350 B3e as the Air-Wing required a helicopter capable of patrolling both the dense built up area around the major cities, Nairobi and Mombasa, but also to cover smaller towns and communities spread over large areas.

Kenya has a land area of 580,000 km2 and a population of nearly 39 million residents. It has a diverse geography including a long Indian Ocean coastline. Inland, the terrain varies from savannah grasslands to forests, mountains and even dessert regions. The Police Airwing's choice of Eurocopter AS350 B3e aircraft was based on their superior operational capability and its proven rugged reliability which will enable it to operate in the Kenya's variable conditions which range from equatorial humidity at the coast to hot and dusty in the arid regions.

Over the past decade, the AS350 B3, with its outstanding capabilities, has become the reference helicopter for airborne police units in the Sub-Sahara Africa where law enforcement agencies in Angola, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa have also selected them.

About the AS350 B3e
The powerful, high-performance AS350 B3e is designed to carry out the most demanding missions in the most extreme weather and geographical conditions. Its exceptional lifting capability, high endurance, extended range and fast cruise speed make the AS350 B3e the leader in its class. The popularity of Eurocopter's AS350 in a law enforcement role can be attributed to its ability to meet all of a police flying unit forces' main requirements.
The AS350 B3e is a member of Eurocopter's rugged and proven Ecureuil family. Some 5,000 Ecureuil have been delivered in 98 countries for some 1,600 operators. These aircraft have cumulated more than 21 million hours.

*An AS350 B3 climbed to 3,000m / 9,900ft in 2mins 21sec and made a world record landing on Mount Everest.

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Volaris and Airbus finalize largest aircraft order in Mexican history

First carrier in Mexico to order eco-efficient A320neo aircraft
12 JANUARY 2012 PRESS RELEASE

Mexican low cost carrier Volaris has signed a purchase agreement for 44 eco-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft, comprised of 30 A320neo and 14 A320 aircraft. The order represents the largest single commercial aircraft order ever by an airline in Mexico. Volaris, also the first airline in Mexico to order the A320neo, will announce its engine selections for the aircraft at a later date.

Since starting operations in 2006, Volaris has become one of the top three airlines in Mexico having quickly expanded their network throughout the country and into the United States. The new 44 A320 Family aircraft will more than double the airline’s all-Airbus fleet to support their expansion and fleet renewal plans. The airline currently operates 34 Airbus aircraft and has a backlog of 58, including the aircraft announced today.
“The arrival of the new A320s is great news not only for Volaris and the environment,” said Volaris CEO Enrique Beltranena. “It is good news also for all of our customers. The new airplanes will let us strengthen our low price strategy to benefit a larger number of Mexicans, while their fuel efficiency and reliability will allow our fleet, the youngest in the country, to be even more friendly to the Mexican skies.”

“This order is important – not just as the largest in Mexico’s aviation history – but also insofar as it enhances the already strong Airbus partnership with one of the leading airlines in that country,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “In addition, Volaris will become among the first airlines in Latin America to benefit from the A320neo’s increased capabilities, including a 15 percent reduction in fuel burn and emissions.”

Over 8,200 A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and nearly 5,000 delivered to some 340 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload at a given range.
The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family entering into service from 2015 and incorporates latest generation engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, which together will deliver 15 percent in fuel savings. The reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel - the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars, saving 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6, while this aircraft also has considerably a smaller noise footprint.

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