Eurocopter's EC 155 Medium Boasts New Corporate Interior

American Eurocopter is showing off a corporate interior for the first time in a mock-up of its new market entry, the EC 155 medium twin-engine helicopter, on display at Booth 8361.

Designed to compete with the Sikorsky S-76, the EC 155 is larger and will be considerably quieter, said Del Livingston, American Eurocopter director of marketing support.

He said 20 aircraft already have been sold-13 to the German Border Patrol, six to the Helicopter Services Group of Norway, and one to a corporate customer he said he could not name.

One aircraft is "well into" flight tests with some 400 test flight hours already logged, Livingston said. French DGAC and Norwegian civil certification are expected before the end of the year with U.S. certification expected in first quarter 1999.

Livingston said no U.S. customers have yet signed up for the seven- to 14-place aircraft but there is "a lot of interest" here.

The EC 155 was shown in Farnborough with an offshore interior with room for 12 in high-density seating. Other possible interiors include a utility version, a medevac version with capability for two medical attendants and as many as six patients on stretchers, and the corporate version, which can be adapted to meet customer demand.

Livingston said the cabin of the EC 155 is 40% larger than its sister 365 Dauphin and larger than the S-76 cabin. With a five-blade Spheriflex main-rotor system and fenestron tail rotor with 10 unequally spaced blades, the EC 155 is noticeably quieter than its competitor.

The flight deck includes as standard equipment the Avionique Nouvelle integrated flight and digital display system.

By Jim Street