AS 355N Twin Squirrel helicopter operated by National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC. SCO 8383
The AS355 was developed onward from the AS350 Single Squirrel and whilst looks very similar provides two gas turbine engines. The AS355 is a very powerful helicopter allowing a large lifting capacity. The AS355 is also utilised as a survey helicopter on motorways, railways and pipeline work. With its second engine the aircraft also has the capability of operating at lower levels than single engine helicopters so the AS355 is often the chosen helicopter for filming and photographic work when operating over congested / built up areas. Development began in the early 1970s to replace the Alouette II, and the first flight took place on 27 June 1974. A twin-engined version, known as the Ecureuil 2, Twin Squirrel, or in North America as the TwinStar, first flew on 28 September 1979. Despite the introduction of the EC130, production of the Eurocopter AS350 and AS355, and the AS550 and AS555 Fennec military versions remains strong. On May 14, 2005 an AS350 B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle touched down on the top of Mt. Everest, at 8,848 m (29,030 ft). This record has been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. On April 29, 2010 a stripped-down AS350 B3 succeeded in rescuing three alpinists from Annapurna I, Nepal at 8091 metres (26,545 ft), one at a time, the highest such rescue. AS355 N Ecureuil 2 Version fitted with two Turbomeca Arrius 1A engines and a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system for better (2,600 kg or 5,732 lb) and better single engine performance, tail rotor strake added along starboard side of tail boom for better yaw authority.
Size: 5488px × 4457px
Location: Halfpenny Green Airport, Bobbington. Wolverhampton. West Midlands. England. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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