AS 350B Ecureuil Helicopter Light utility workhorse. GAV 2137-183
First flown in June 1974 the Ecureuil was designed for the civilian market and introduced many features including the Aerospatiale 'Starflex' rotor system. Built from composites/fibre-glass, the rotor head was designed without the need for conventional mechanical hinging. It used the inherent flexibility of laminated composites for movement. This replaced the old style bearings and introduced laminated self-lubricating bearings. Fibre-glass was also used in the tail-rotor, formed by two blades attached to a composite beam which is both torsional and flexible and allowed the hinge system to be replaced. Aerospatiale also employed a large amount of composites within the fuselage, allowing for weight reduction, anti-corrosion and reduced operating costs. Powered by a single Turbomeca Arriel turbine-engine the is produced in a civil and military variant and these have sold well overseas in both versions. Once it became possible to relay live pictures from helicopters, many broadcasters rushed to buy their own machines. Within 18 months there were more than 100 in use across the United States alone. But operating in this way was veiy expensive, and it became more common to charter an aircraft when it was needed to cover a specific story or event
Size: 6128px × 4013px
Location: Cumbernauld Airport, Strathclyde. Scotland. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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