The Eurocopter EC 120B is a utility helicopter designed by three industry heavyweights. One is Harbin of China, STAero of Singapore, and Eurocopter, which later changed to Airbus Helicopters. But France and Australia did the assembling of EC 120B at Eurocopter France Marignane Facility.
The EC 120B has a full ergonomic cabin that offers excellent visibility for flight crews. It only accommodates one pilot and four passengers. The cabin design is suitable for a variety of civilian and special missions such as offshore and utility transport. Others are training, law enforcement, evacuations, and corporate transportation.
The Design of Eurocopter EC 120B
The luxury helicopter EC 120B features the latest avionics. Together, they’re one gyro-horizon, one gyro-compass, one turn bank indicator, and an avionics master switch. Others are the altitude encoder, one ICS+passenger interphone, and one 1 Emergency Locator Transmitter.
Airbus played a vital role in integrating the EC 120B with advanced rotorcraft, which makes flying safer. Also, they added an instrument panel with a dual-screen vehicle and engine multifunction display (VEMD). It helps in controlling and monitoring the rotorcraft, the Fenestron, and engine functions. Overall, the VEMD lessens the pilot workload and boosts the safety of this luxury helicopter.
According to Airbus, the EC 120B offers the lowest operation cost in its category. After all, it’s the only single-engine aircraft certified with JAR/FAR 27 standards. These include energy-attenuating primary structure, crash-resistant fuel system, and energy-absorbing seats.
The aircraft features a sizable baggage area, which accommodates up to 970 lb of cargo. Also, it provides a rear cargo door for putting oversized luggage. Skids are superb and sit well on the helicopter. Plus, they also provide a natural step on when entering the cabin.
Eurocopter created a flight deck that’s comfortable and elegantly done. Once inside, you notice excellent visibility of both the fore and aft. Besides, there is nothing between the passenger seat and the pilot’s area.
The Propelling Force
If you want to buy a helicopter, that’s small and offers a lot; the EC 120B should be it. This aircraft is powerful because it uses the Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engine. It’s capable of producing 504 hp, go a maximum speed performance of 172 mph, and a cruise speed of 138 mph. Altogether, it gets to 440 miles of range, while the service ceiling is 17,000 feet.
They built the ARRIUS 2F engine using the latest modern technology. It’s mounted at the rear and housed in a fireproof compartment. Then installed on the rear main gear, and linked with the connecting shaft.
Market Price
If you are in the market looking to buy a helicopter, the cost of EC 120B is around $ 810,217. The amount is fair considering the versatility the plane offers.
Final Word
The EC 120B is the real deal, and it’s a luxury helicopter built to reduce maintenance costs. It only requires four inspections: 100-hours, 500-hours, 1500-hours, and 12 years. Pilots can review checks within the 100-hours limit and only takes a few minutes. Equally, the system and features are to die for, for example, the Fenestron. They enhance safety and consumers less power than the tail rotor.
Last, EC 120B is an entry-level small plane but very outstanding. Opt for this variant; it’s the quietest helicopter with reliable power and low on fuel consumption.
(Images Courtesy of Savback Helicopters)