Eurocopter signed yesterday a contract to supply Air Greenland with one enhanced AS350 B3e version, marking the latest expansion of this European operator’s Ecureuil single-engine family fleet.

Air Greenland currently operates 12 Ecureuil helicopters: 10 of the AS350 B3+ variant and two AS350 B2s. The new agreement was inked on Eurocopter’s exhibit stand at the Heli-Expo 2012 exhibition in Dallas, Texas.

“As a highly capable aircraft, the AS350 is well adapted to our broad range of services in a very demanding environment – which is why we are acquiring the additional helicopter,” said Air Greenland CEO Michael Binzer. “During the high season last year, our AS350s logged a total of 6917 flight hours without major technical problems, and this level of reliability makes the AS350 an outstanding helicopter.”
The current AS350 fleet is used by Air Greenland in performing a wide range of missions, including utility services, air taxi flights, medical evacuations, support for commercial and scientific exploration, sling-load airlift, heli-skiing and construction work for hydro-power plant. In addition to the AS350 family, Air Greenland will introduce Eurocopter’s medium twin-engine EC225 in 2014.

“Air Greenland’s renewed confidence in our AS350 family symbolizes the continuity of the customer’s solid and valued relationship with Eurocopter,” explained Thomas Hein, Eurocopter’s Vice President of Sales and Customer Relations for Central Europe. “By selecting the new AS350 B3e version, Air Greenland will benefit from this helicopter’s improved lifting capability and endurance, along with extended range and higher cruise speed”.

Features of the AS350 B3e include a more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2D turboshaft engine and new-generation digital FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control). It also incorporates tail rotor modifications for additional ease of piloting, and has an improved interior design.