Photograph:
Eurocopter EC-120B Colibri VH-CXX (c/n 1023) at Avalon, VIC in March 2011 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
France
Description:
General purpose utility helicopter
Power Plant:
One 376 kw (504 shp) Turbomeca TM 319 Arrius 2F turboshaft
Specifications:
- Main rotor diameter: 10 m (32 ft 9¾ in)
- Overall ength: 11.521 m (37 ft 10 in)
- Fuselage length: 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
- Height: 3.4 m (11 ft 1¾ in)
- Main rotor disc area: 78.6 m² (845.4 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed: 232 km/h (144 mph)
- Rate of climb at sea level: 434 m/min (1,425 ft/min)
- Max range: 732 km (455 miles)
- Hovering ceiling in ground effect: 3,930 m (12,900 ft)
- Service ceiling: 6,035 m (19,800 ft)
- Range with no reserve: 759 km (471 miles)
- Empty weight: 875 kg (1,929 lb)
- Useful load: 800 kg (1,763 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,680 kg (3,704 lb)
History:
One of a series of helicopters produced by Eurocopter, the Franco/German consortium, the prototype of the EC-120 Colibri (F-WWPA), initially designated the P-120L, flew for the first time on 9 June 1995, the second prototype (F-WWPD) flying on 17 July 1996.
The Colibri was a joint venture by Eurocopter, CATIC (China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation) and Singapore Technologies Aerospace, parts being built in each country and final assembly took place at Marignane in France. Accommodation was provided for a pilot and four passengers, with a luggage compartment below the engine on the same level as the cabin floor.
Power plant was the Turbomeca TM 319 Arrius 2F providing 376 kw (504 shp) driving a three-blade main rotor and an eight-blade Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, both the main and tail rotor being designed to reduce noise and maintenance. The Colibri’s [Hummingbird] noted features included a Spheriflex hub integrated with the driveshaft and transmission, composite main and tail rotor blades and skid undercarriage, and a metal construction fuselage.
First of the type seen in this region was F-WWPA which made a demonstration tour in February 1998, at which time an example was ordered by Sydney-based Giraffe World International. Subsequently, early in 1999, VH-CXX (c/n 1023) arrived, was registered in January that year, and was demonstrated at the biennial Australian International Air Show at Avalon, VIC.
In June 1999 New Zealand’s first example was registered, becoming ZK-HEC (c/n 1015) for Action Helicopters based at Nelson.
The type has proved very popular, and Eurocopter set up a facility in Brisbane, QLD for the assembly of the Eurocopter Tiger for the Australian Army. This facility also assembled EC-120s for the Australasian market. Eventually the name of Eurocopter was changed to Airbus Helicopters and the type became known as the H-120 Colibri.
In late 2017 Airbus Helicopters announced production of the type had ended after some 700 examples had been completed, stating it was changing its strategy to focus on markets where it could develop machines in the intermediate single-engine segment with the H-125 and H-130 being the two best sellers. It was also stated in later years it faced stiff competition from the Robinson R-66 and Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, both turbine-powered machines. The Company remained committed to supporting the global fleet of the type.