Photograph:
Eurocopter EC-225LP Super Puma 9M-STQ (c/n 2709) at Broome, WA in 2011 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
France
Description:
Passenger / general purpose helicopter
Power Plant:
Two 1,776 kw (2,382 hp) Turbomeca Makila 2A1 turboshafts
Specifications:
- Main rotor diameter: 16.2 m (53 ft 2 in)
- Main rotor disc area: 206.15 m² (2,219 sq ft)
- Length: 19.5 m (64 ft)
- Height: 4.97 m (16 ft 4 in)
- Max speed: 275 km/h (171 mph)
- Cruising speed: 260 km/h (162 mph)
- Never exceed speed: 324 km/h (201 mph)
- Service ceiling: 5,900 m (19,357 ft)
- Rate of climb: 521 m/min (1,710 ft/min)
- Range: 858 km (533 miles)
- Ferry range: 985 km (621 miles)
- Empty weight: 5,256 kg (11,587 lb)
- Loaded weight: 11,000 kg (24,251 lb)
- Max take-off weight: 11,200 kg (24,692 lb)
History:
The Eurocopter EC-225 was a development of the former Aerospatiale AS-332 Puma series to meet the requirements of oil companies to convey passengers, most being used in this area in the oil rig industry to convey workers to and from oil rigs around Australia. Classed as a new-generation aircraft, it was a twin-engine machine able to carry up to 24 passengers and had a crew of two with a cabin attendant.
Development commenced in June 1998, the first flight being made in France on 27 November 2000. Certification in Europe was received in July 2004.
Based on the AS-332 Puma, the EC-25 was improved in a number of areas, having a five-blade main rotor incorporating a new aerofoil shape to reduce levels of vibration. The two Makila turboshafts were mounted above the cabin and it had a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and an anti-icing system for cold climates. Other improvements were made to the main gearbox and the cockpit was fitted with a full glass cockpit.
A few were built for VIP duties, this model having a VIP lounge with seating for eight passengers and a cabin attendant. Algeria became the first customer for a VIP variant. In the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) role it could take six stretchers and had four seats for medical workers. A search-and-rescue variant was available and could take eight rescue seats and three stretchers. Another variant was aimed at the fir-bombing role, this having FLIR, and all-weather radar.
In 2012 two EC-225s suffered gearbox shaft failures in the North Sea off the United Kingdom forcing the grounding of the type in Europe. Modifications were made to the gearbox. These alterations to the main gearbox emergency lubrication system to ensure full performance throughout the flight envelope were validated. Thereafter the type re-entered service.
The type has been operated by CHC Helicopters in Canada, a number of operators in China, the French Navy and in Greenland.
The EC-225 basically took over from the old Aerospatiale AS-332L2 Super Puma on oil rig work in Australia. Operators of the EC-225LP and some of their aircraft registered have included: Lloyd Helicopters with VH-TQP (c/n 2851); VH-TQU (c/n 2827); VH-TQV (c/n 2848); VH-WSO (c/n 2779); VH-WGV (c/n 2794); VH-WEV (c/n 2768); VH-WEX (c/n 2775 – ex C-CMJK, F-WWOY); and VH-WEQ (c/n 2688).
Bristow Helicopters Australia operated VH-ZFE (c/n 2728); VH-ZFD (c/n 2724); VH-ZFB (c/n 26795); VH-ZFH (c/n 2723); and VH-ZFC (c/n 2709).
In late 2013 two further examples were registered to Bond Helicopters of Winnellie, NT, these being VH-NWC (c/n 2826) and VH-NWG (c/n 2879).
In August 2016 Lloyd Helicopters of West Pert, WA cancelled the registrations of VH-TOP (c/n 2851), VH-TQU (c/n 2827), VH-TQV (c/n 2848), VH-WEV (c/n 2768), VH-WEX (c/n 2775), VH-WGV (c/n 2794) and VH-WSO (c/n 2779).