Airbus Helicopters Ec135

Twin Rotorcraft

The Airbus Helicopters EC135 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter that became one of the most successful rotorcraft designs of the 1990s, particularly dominating the air medical transport and law enforcement markets across Europe and North America. First flown in 1994 and entering service in 1996, the EC135 was developed jointly by Eurocopter France and Germany as a modern replacement for the aging BO105, featuring a shrouded Fenestron tail rotor that dramatically reduces noise and improves safety around ground personnel. Its spacious cabin accommodates up to seven occupants, and the type's low vibration levels, excellent visibility, and benign handling characteristics made it the preferred platform for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) worldwide. The EC135's performance envelope includes a never-exceed speed of 155 knots and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet, with a maximum takeoff weight of 6,415 pounds depending on variant. The T3/P3 models represented by the A33E designator are powered by twin Turbomeca Arrius 2B2Plus engines, each producing 632 shaft horsepower, providing excellent hot-and-high performance and single-engine safety margins that meet stringent European certification standards for operations over congested areas. The type's bearingless main rotor system and advanced composite construction reduce maintenance costs compared to earlier designs, contributing to its commercial success with over 1,400 units delivered across more than 60 countries. Beyond HEMS, the EC135 serves in corporate transport, police observation, offshore support, and military training roles. The U.S. Army operates a variant as the UH-72 Lakota. Its combination of reliability, low operating costs, and mission flexibility has kept production lines active for nearly three decades. SkyMeter has tracked 4 flights across 3 airframes and 3 operators, covering routes.