EC130 T2: DEMO TOUR LAUNCH

Stay tuned to events.eurocopter.com to follow all the details of the demo tour. A demo tour for Eurocopter's EC130 T2 kicked off during a corporate event for French customers in Evian, France from September 26 to 28. Some 36 customers got the chance to fly in the newly upgraded version of the proven EC130, and 11 of them were able to take the controls and see for themselves how the new EC130 T2 has stepped things up a notch. The next stop of the tour was in Berne, Switzerland, from October 1 -- 2. At the Berne-Belp airport, despite a dreary front that kept the sun hidden behind low-hanging clouds, some 50 customers attended during the first day, which was organized by Eurocopter's Swiss distributer Europavia. From the Heliswiss (Swiss Helicopter Group) tarmac, more than 40 passengers got the opportunity to fly on October 1 onboard the EC130 T2, the latest member of the Ecureuil family. During nine total flights, 14 pilots tried their hand at the aircraft's controls, side-by-side with pilot Olivier Gensse. They appreciated not only the power of the EC130 T2, but also its comfort thanks to its efficient anti-vibration system and air conditioning, and ease of access, thanks to its two sliding doors. On October 2, the demo tour moved on to Gsteigwiler, head of the company Bohag (also a member of the Swiss Helicopter Group). Various flights were performed to show off just how the EC130 T2 is perfectly adapted for aerial work. 6 pilots, including Daniel Aufdenblatten, who is credited with the record for the highest altitude rescue (performed in Nepal in 2010), all specialized in aerial work, took their turn at the EC130 T2 for a total of 7 flights transporting loads of 6970 total kilograms. ©EUROCOPTER, October 2011 Shooting & Editing by Thibault Teychene