The robust Eurocopter EC145 light/medium-twin helicopter, which has long been popular with EMS operators and the military, is increasingly being ordered for executive transport. Now the manufacturer has collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to develop a flexible, upscale executive cabin for the model, with seating for four to eight passengers and more streamlined skids, nose, cowling and cladding to the exterior that add around three knots to the cruise speed. The helicopter has enormous utility. It has a range of 362 nautical miles at 131 knots (with full fuel, no reserve and one pilot and six passengers, each 180 pounds).
T2 pilots will enjoy a new “Helionix” state-of-the-art glass-panel avionics suite and standard four-axis autopilot for flying in the most demanding instrument conditions. However, the cabin remains the T2’s strongest selling point. Larger than the ones in some light jets, it measures 9.7 feet long and 5.4 feet wide and offers a combined cabin/baggage volume of 217 cubic feet. Add the approximately $1.5 million Mercedes-Benz package to the $7.5 million price of the basic helicopter and you get all that utility and a lot of style.
The Benz package provides comfortable seating for up to eight passengers in a highly modular, flexible cabin that can easily be configured to haul passengers and outsized toys, including surfboards and dirt bikes. You can actually change the size of the baggage compartment with an adjustable wall and there is tie-down hardware to secure even the most unwieldy cargo. Plug-and-play multifunction boxes between the luxurious captain chairs slide in on rails and can hold coolers, DVD players and tables. Passengers can adjust the color and intensity of the LED lighting. Customers can choose from four color and trim combinations.
More power, less noise and great style. These few but important changes will likely keep this helicopter a market favorite for at least another decade. Read the full article here.
Business Jet Traveler//February 25, 2013//Mark Huber
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For more information on Eurocopter's new EC145T2 in VIP configuration or other Rotor-Wing Aircraft, contact us at: aviation@dilellainternational.com
