Eurocopter Vostok and Heliport Moscow signed a contract for two EC130 T2 to be delivered in February and August 2014 respectively. These are the first EC130 T2 sold to Russia which makes Heliport Moscow the launching operator of the latest version of the EC130 family.

Heliport Moscow is a daughter company of NDV Group, one of Russia’s major real estate developer. The Heliport Moscow was inaugurated earlier in December and is already considered as the world’s largest helicopter center located nearby Moscow in the Krasnogorsk area. The Heliport Moscow has chosen the EC130 T2 as a prime light single gas turbine engine helicopter for its future fleet and placed a firm order to Eurocopter Vostok. Acceptance of the first milestone EC130 T2 occurred at Eurocopter’s production facility in Marignane, France on 18th of December 2013, and is to be followed by the second helicopter’s handover in summer 2014.

“Acquisition of helicopters in the Ecureuil class is of great importance to us, with the EC130 T2 being perfect for business flights across Russia,” said Alexander Khrustalev, the NDV Group’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We are planning to enlarge our overall helicopter fleet in the next few years to make Heliport Moscow the largest Russian private helipad.”

“Heliport Moscow’s introduction of the EC130 T2 will mark another important step as Eurocopter expands its presence in the dynamic Russian marketplace,” stated Laurence Rigolini, the CEO of Eurocopter’s Russia-based Eurocopter Vostok subsidiary. “We stand ready to forge a strong partnership with Heliport Moscow and its NDV Group parent company, ensuring the EC130 T2 will become a familiar sight in the Moscow region – and across Russia.”

EC130 T2 is the latest member of Eurocopter’s best-selling single-engine lightweight Ecureuil product line, featuring enhanced comfort, improved operational performance and increased versatility.

While retaining the EC130’s existing external lines, approximately 70 percent of the EC130 T2’s airframe structure has been modified, with new features including a more powerful Arriel 2D turboshaft engine and upgraded main gearbox; the incorporation of an active vibration control system; improved air ventilation, distribution and demisting systems; a cabin interior structure redesign with a full flat floor; a cockpit update for enhanced man-machine interface; and increased maintenance accessibility for electrical and air conditioning systems.

About Eurocopter Vostok (www.eurocopter.ru)
Eurocopter Vostok, a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of Eurocopter SAS, was created in 2005 to provide sales, customer support, and to implement fleet follow-up in Russia and the CIS. Civil helicopters of the Eurocopter, operating in Russia have received certificates from the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC). Currently there are more than 140 Eurocopter helicopters in Russia, and more than 50 in other CIS countries. Eurocopter holds more than 70% of the Russian market in turbine helicopters of western production. Eurocopter Vostok, in collaboration with partners at the local market creates a network of service centers for maintenance helicopters Eurocopter. Thus, in cooperation with «UTair» a service center and a school for training flight and technical staff in Tyumen and technical center in the airport Ostafyevo together with «Gazpromavia» were opened; the company plans to create a center in St. Petersburg, in the south of Russia and the Far East.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 20,000 people. In 2011, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 5.4 billion Euros, orders for 457 new helicopters and a 43 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors.

Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports some 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,300 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 149 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business