The Eurocopter EC135 (now marketed as the Airbus H135) is a light twin-engine helicopter developed by Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter). It is widely used for emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, corporate transport, and offshore operations due to its compact size, advanced avionics, and reliability.

Key Features of the EC135 / H135

General Specifications

Manufacturer: Airbus Helicopters (originally Eurocopter)
First Flight: 1994
Certification: EASA / FAA / CAAC (global operations)

Capacity:

Pilot + 6-7 passengers (depending on configuration)
EMS: 1-2 patients + medical crew

Engines:

Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2 or Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 (modern H135 uses Safran Arrius 2B2 Plus)
FADEC-equipped (full digital engine control)

Rotor System:

Fenestron tail rotor (reduces noise & improves safety)
Bearingless main rotor (lower maintenance)

2. Performance Data (EC135 T3 / H135)

Parameter	Specification
Max Cruise Speed	150–155 knots (278–287 km/h)
Range	370–400 NM (685–740 km)
Service Ceiling	20,000 ft (6,100 m)
Max Takeoff Weight	2,980 kg (6,570 lbs)
Fuel Capacity	633 liters (167 US gal)

3. Avionics & Cockpit

Glass cockpit standard (typically Avionique Novespan or Garmin G5000H in newer models)
4-axis autopilot (optional)
Helionix® avionics suite (in H135, reducing pilot workload)
Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible

Variants & Evolution

Model	Key Features
EC135 P1/P2	Early models (Pratt & Whitney engines)
EC135 T1/T2	Turbomeca-powered versions
EC135 T3/H135	Upgraded engines, improved performance
H135 T4 (2024)	Latest version with better hot & high performance

Common Uses & Operators

1. Emergency Medical Services (EMS / HEMS)

Leading air ambulance helicopter (used by ADAC Luftrettung, UK Air Ambulance)
Rear-loading clamshell doors for rapid patient access

2. Law Enforcement & Police

Europol, FBI, UK Police use it for surveillance & patrol
FLIR cameras, searchlights, rappelling systems

3. Corporate & VIP Transport

Luxurious cabin configurations
Quiet operation (Fenestron reduces noise)

4. Offshore & Utility Work

Oil rig transport (short-range crew changes)
Power line inspection

Safety & Certification

Certified under EASA CS-27 / FAA Part 27
Crash-resistant fuel system
Low noise levels (Fenestron tail rotor)
Single-pilot IFR capable

Comparison with Competitors

Helicopter	Engines	Capacity	Best For	Price (New)
H135	Twin (Turbomeca/P&WC)	7 pax	EMS, Police	~$7M
Bell 429	Twin (P&WC)	8 pax	Corporate, SAR	~$8M
Leonardo AW109	Twin (P&WC)	6-8 pax	VIP, Offshore	~$7.5M

Why Choose the EC135/H135?

✅ Best-in-class EMS helicopter (safety, cabin access)
✅ Twin-engine redundancy (safer than single-engine)
✅ Quiet operation (ideal for urban EMS/police)

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