Three Military, Two Medevac Helos

Eurocopter has delivered three military helicopters to Brazil, while two medevac aircraft have made it to their new home in Poland.

Brazilian EC725

Eurocopter’s Helicópteros do Brasil (Helibras) subsidiary delivered the initial three EC725s for Brazil’s armed forces Monday, the first in a program to supply 50 of these medium-sized, multi-role helicopters which will eventually lead to in-country production of the rotary-wing aircraft. These first three helicopters were provided in a standard configuration and will undergo final outfitting in Brazil. Eurocopter and Helibras pilots and technicians performed delivery flight tests, which were followed by acceptance evaluations carried out by Brazilian Armed Forces representatives – whose personnel have been in training since May to operate and maintain the EC725s.

While these helicopters were built by Eurocopter in France and finalized in Helibras, Brazilian assembly of EC725 will begin in 2012 at Helibras’ new production facility in Itajubá. Their Brazilian-supplied content will increase to a minimum of 50 per cent through 2016, when the final EC725s from the 50-aircraft order are delivered.

The EC725 program will contribute significantly to the growth of Helibras’ industrial capacity and staff through an investment of KR$420 million, providing the subsidiary with manufacturing and maintenance capabilities for medium and large helicopters, and thereby becoming an important operation in South America for Eurocopter and its EADS parent company.

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Taking into account the anticipated growth in manufacturing and maintenance activities for military and civilian aircraft at Helibras, the company’s  planned growth includes the eventual production of the EC725 helicopter’s civilian EC225 version, which already is in service with Brazil’s oil sector.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Poland’s public air medical rescue operator LPR (Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe) has received its final two EC135 helicopters from the 23 acquired by the Polish Ministry of Health, which are being used to modernize the country’s nationwide emergency medical services (EMS) network.

Polish EC135

The fleet of 23 EC135 helicopters is now fully operational with LPR, representing a major step in the modernization of the country’s helicopter-based medical evacuation services, and making Poland one of the world’s largest users of the helicopter in its new-generation EMS configuration.
These helicopters are operated by LPR from 17 bases across the country. By using the EC135s to gradually replace an inventory of aging Mi-2s, the Polish aerial medical evacuation system now complies fully with European regulations.

“The 23 EC135s operated by LPR meet the extremely high international safety standards for emergency medical services,” stated LPR director Robert Ga³¹zkowski. “Thanks to their versatility and the ability to fly in the harsh operating conditions and during the night, the EC135s’ proven efficiency and performance make them the perfect helicopter for medical rescue missions.”

Olivier Michalon, Eurocopter’s Vice President of Sales for Europe and Central Asia, said deliveries of LPR’s entire EC135 fleet were performed on time, within budget and to specifications – a result of the dedication by Eurocopter’s teams, and the excellent cooperation with its customer.
“Eurocopter is committed to providing Poland’s emergency services with modern and reliable EMS helicopters, and to ensuring that they can be maintained in-country in strict accordance with the operator’s own timetable, which is being achieved,” Michalon added.

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Technical support for LPR’s EC135s is provided by Heli Invest, a Eurocopter distributor and certified maintenance center based in Warsaw. Heli Invest offers a full range of customer services, including a Polish-language hotline that operates 24/7, full maintenance services, and technical support at all bases throughout the country.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com