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on the Eurocopter AS355
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The Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS355 Twin Squirrel is a light utility helicopter, a twin version of the AS350, developed and originally manufactured by Aérospatiale in France. Aérospatiale had identified a need for a civil-oriented rotorcraft, and the economic and cost effective design used a rolled sheet structure with a Starflex main rotor. The tailbone and central fuselage is of light metal and thermoformed plastics are used within the cabin.
The maiden flight of the first prototype took place on 28 September, 1979 and it entered service shortly afterwards.
The initial production version was the AS355 E, with single hydraulics and powered by two Allison 250-C20F turboshaft engines. The improved AS355F came with dual hydraulics, new rotor blades of wider chord and increased maximum weight of 2,300 kg. It was superseded by the AS355 F1 in January 1984 and the AS355F2, certified on 10 December, 1985. Both had increased maximum weights.
Deliveries of the AS355N version, powered by two FADEC-controlled Turbomeca (later Safran) Arrius 1A engines, began in early 1992. It had been certified in France in 1989, and in the UK and US in 1992. Then in 2007 came the AS355NP, with a new AS350B3-based main gearbox that increased MTOW to 2,800 kg.
Overseas production of the type saw Brazil-based manufacturer Helibras licence-assemble the AS355 from kits shipped from Eurocopter’s main production line in Marignane, France.
Production was discontinued during 2016 and the final delivery took place during the second quarter of 2017.
Models include AS355F, AS355F-1, AS355F-2 and AS355N TwinStars
| World fleet | Charter fleet | Typical pax | Cabin volume | Cruise | Range | Years | |
| Aerospatiale AS355E | 1 | 0 | 5 | 167 cu ft | 120 kts | 1980 - 1981 | |
| Aerospatiale AS355F | 64 | 32 | 5 | 130 cu ft | 113 kts | 360 nm | 1981 - 1987 |
| Aerospatiale AS355F1 | 48 | 24 | 5 | 130 cu ft | 113 kts | 360 nm | 1981 - 1987 |
| Aerospatiale AS355F2 | 143 | 60 | 5 | 130 cu ft | 110 kts | 1981 - 2001 | |
| Aerospatiale AS355N | 131 | 56 | 5 | 130 cu ft | 117 kts | 1981 - 2007 | |
| Aerospatiale AS355NP | 59 | 15 | 5 | 130 cu ft | 117 kts | 2007 - 2017 |
Browse or search through all recent STCs.
| 11/04/2023 | EASA: 10035635. Compliance of C20R installation with BCAR Section G and confirmation of ability of C20R to fly one engine in operative profiles. This revision follows a transfer requested by Heli Austria GmbH.
Aerospatiale AS355F2, Aerospatiale AS355F1 |
| 21/02/2023 | EASA: 10081304. Dual Hook System (ref. B1310-DHS) for Human External Cargo.
Aerospatiale AS355N, Aerospatiale AS350B2, Aerospatiale AS350B3, Aerospatiale AS350B, Aerospatiale AS350BA, Aerospatiale AS350B1, Aerospatiale AS355F2, Aerospatiale AS355F, Aerospatiale AS355F1, Aerospatiale AS350D, Aerospatiale AS355NP, Aerospatiale AS355E STC holder: Boost Systems |
| 15/02/2023 | EASA: 10081283. Structural provisions and equipment installation of CGG-AGG survey system.
Aerospatiale AS355N, Aerospatiale AS355F2, Aerospatiale AS355F, Aerospatiale AS355F1, Aerospatiale AS355NP, Aerospatiale AS355E STC holder: PAL Aerospace |
| 29/05/2022 | EASA: EASA.R.S.01447. Installation of an airborne laser scanning equipment in AS350/355 series helicopter. Rev. 1: Component change airborne laser system (alternative camera). Rev. 2: Replacement of various equipment like data recorder, GNSS module, flight path display, controller laptop. Restriction regarding AS350 B3.
Aerospatiale AS355N, Aerospatiale AS355F2, Aerospatiale AS355F, Aerospatiale AS355F1, Aerospatiale AS355NP, Aerospatiale AS355E |
| December 27, 2020 | GB Helicopters co-ordinates celebrity Twin Squirrels |
| November 22, 2020 | Genesys says AS350 operators will be tempted by EFIS |
| March 5, 2019 | Shuttle service enables putters and punters to get to green |
| April 9, 2015 | DSA overhauls AS355N to lend it fresh appeal |
| June 9, 2014 | ME & MY AIRCRAFT–Twin helicopters: Twins can be costly, yet their capability in EMEA rarely disappoints |
| June 9, 2014 | GB Helicopters experiences the benefits of UK-wide rebranding |
| May 7, 2014 | EBACE 2014: Meet the buyers – weighing up factory-new safeguards against the pre-owned economics |
| April 3, 2014 | Sturdy Squirrels and versatile EC135s strengthen DGT's fleet |
| November 13, 2012 | Oryx adds helicopter transfers to fit customer needs |
| June 11, 2012 | Me & my aircraft: Lower maintenance and greater payload are top of twin helicopter operators' wish lists |
| June 8, 2011 | UTair secures training approval for growing Eurocopter roster |
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