German Army Orders EC 135 as a Tiger Trainer

ILA 2000: The German Army air arm (Heeresflieger) is preparing to take delivery of its first Eurocopter EC 135s light twin helicopters, to begin pilot training for the Tiger multi-role combat helicopter.

The Heeresflieger has 15 EC 135s on order, with deliveries due to begin within the next two months. The aircraft on show at ILA 2000, in full German army markings, is not one of this batch but one of Eurocopter's demonstrator aircraft.

The EC 135 brings with it an full EFIS 'glass' cockpit by Sextant Avionique, essential for preparing combat pilots to fly and fight in the advanced Eurocopter Tiger.

The EC 135 is becoming popular with governments and agencies: the Kuwait Interior Ministry recently bought two, and Portugal is the first to order the military version, the EC 635.

©Show News 2000