DALLAS, 13 Feb. 2012. Eurocopter announced its newest helicopter and latest addition to the company’s lightweight single-engine product line, the EC130 T2, designed to offer comfort, operational performance, and versatility. The EC130 T2, revealed during a curtain-dropping, well-attended ceremony at Heli-Expo 2012, already boasts seven launch customers for the rotary-wing aircraft with a total of 105 bookings.

The seven EC130 T2 launch customers include: Maverick Helicopters, Papillon Helicopters, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Scandinavian Helicopter Group, Air Commander, Europavia, and Enloe FlightCare.

“The EC130 T2 is the latest step in Eurocopter’s strategy to expand and evolve our helicopter lineup. The high number of orders is proof that Eurocopter innovation is perfectly aligned with customers’ requirements and the evolution of their operations,” says Lutz Bertling, Eurocopter president and CEO. “We are committed to begin deliveries of the new EC130 version in 2012.”

While retaining the EC130’s existing external lines, approximately 70 percent of the EC130 T2’s airframe structure has been modified, says a representative. New and updated features on the helicopter include: a more powerful Arriel 2D turboshaft engine, upgraded main gearbox, an active vibration control system, a cabin interior structure redesign with a full flat floor, a cockpit update for enhanced man-machine interface, new energy-absorbing seats, a crashworthy fuel tank, and greater maintenance accessibility for electrical and air conditioning systems.

The EC130 T2’s Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine provides 10 percent more average power than the EC130’s current powerplant with lower specific fuel consumption. It sports a new axial compressor and new blade materials, and also provides a higher time between overhaul (TBO) intervals.

Future development for the EC130 T2 includes the integration of a new glass cockpit design using dual-screen electronic flight displays matched to a Garmin GPS/NAV/COMM receiver (currently GNS series to be expanded to GTN series). This advanced glass cockpit solution will also be available for the AS350 B3e helicopter and will be developed through the American Eurocopter subsidiary in the U.S. and installed with a supplemental type certificate (STC).