Eurocopter makes first flight of EC175

This newest addition to the Eurocopter family in the 7-metric-ton class has been developed and manufactured in cooperation with the China Aeronautics Industries Group Corp. (AVIC), a longstanding Eurocopter partner.

The EC175 performed its maiden flight right on schedule, exactly four years after the programme was launched.

The new generation EC175 has a multirole design and can carry out a wide scope of civil missions. It slots perfectly into the Eurocopter range between the AS365 Dauphin (4/5 metric tons) and the AS332/EC225 Super Puma (9/11 metric tons) families. It benefits from a mix of proven and advanced technologies, making it a very performing and reliable helicopter.

Depending on its configuration, it can hold up to 16 passengers. A total of 114 EC175s have already been ordered by 14 different customers.

Certification of the helicopter by EASA is expected in 2011, and the first deliveries are scheduled to follow in 2012.

Eurocopter forecasts selling 800 EC175s over the next twenty years