Eurocopter is hoping to increase its penetration of the corporate helicopter market with the EC-155, which the company is positioning as the most modern large cabin helicopter available for VIP transport.

"We believe the EC-155 can be the premier helicopter in the corporate market," said American Eurocopter president Christian Gras, adding the helicopter will be about 10% cheaper than a similarly equipped Sikorsky S-76.

The EC-155 already has been certified in Europe, and the model has won orders from the German border police as well as the Helicopter Service, which supports oil drilling and exploration in the North Sea.

FAA certification is expected by the end of this year, and Eurocopter expects to have a demonstrator on hand for the 2000 Heli-Expo in Las Vegas come January. The company already is negotiating with a U.S. launch customer for the aircraft, and is hoping to sign a contract by year-end.

Gras said the company has been at a disadvantage in the corporate market because the cabin of the AS-365 Dauphin family is significantly smaller than that of the S-76. The EC-155 has one-third more cabin volume, and offers a larger passenger area than its competition. Cabin volume is 235 cubic feet, and the aircraft also has a 90-cubic-foot, externally accessible baggage compartment.

While the helicopter has the same Turbomeca Arriel 2C1 engines as the AS-365N3, it has a five-blade main rotor, a new rotor head and a redesigned fenestron, which reduce noise footprint and vibration compared to the earlier aircraft. It also offers excellent speed: recommended cruise is 143 knots at the EC-155's 10,580-pound maximum gross weight; Vne is 175 knots. By 2002, the helicopter will be equipped with an electric main rotor deicing system, a first in its class.

In high-density configuration, the aircraft can seat 12 passengers in the main cabin. The corporate interior will seat six. A VIP/Corporate equipment package includes a hinged cabin door (as opposed to two sliding doors on the utility aircraft), air conditioning, retracting cabin steps and a complete single-pilot IFR instrument package. Estimated weight of the corporate aircraft is 6,960 pounds, leaving more than 3,600 pounds for fuel, passengers and bags. With tanks full, the aircraft will still have more than 1,400 pounds payload capability. Still air range with full tanks is estimated at 450 nmi.

Eurocopter has also worked under Gras to improve its product support capability. Parts inventory has been increased, and fill rate is running at 96%. "Without the parts, you can be the nicest guy in the world, but if the customer is on the ground, he's not a happy camper," Gras said. Parts prices also are being kept in check. The average increase was one percent in 1999, and the company expects to hold at that level -- or lower -- with its pricing for 2000.

By Perry Bradley