All-Glass Cockpit EC120B Delivered to Private Pilot
Fort Erie, ON – November 24th, 2006
An all glass-cockpit equipped Eurocopter EC120B Colibri helicopter – the state-of-the-art in avionics technology – was turned over to private pilot Shawn Murray at Eurocopter Canada’s plant in Fort Erie, Ontario. This is the first of a number of glass cockpits that Eurocopter has developed for the light corporate market. Painted in distinctive shades of gray with a large black ‘M’ (for Murray) on each side of its fuselage, the EC120B features two SAGEM ICDS-8 Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays, through which all of the aircraft’s navigational information can be monitored. This includes display data from the EC120B’s Garmin GNS 430; GPS that incorporates GPS, Com, VOR, LOC, and glide-slope with colour moving map data.
As configured for Murray’s EC120B, all of the aircraft’s engine systems are graphically represented on Eurocopter’s patented VEMD panel. The primary flight data is presented on the first SAGEM display with the moving map being shown on the second display. In addition, the EC120B’s instrument panel is fitted with standard navigational equipment, as a backup to the glass cockpit. The EC120B is also equipped with a shrouded Fenestron tail rotor, room for a pilot, four passengers along with their gear, and is powered by a single Safran Arrius 2F turbine engine with a fast cruising speed of 123 knots.
“I was planning to buy used competitors aircraft, but after visiting with an AStar-flying friend in Montreal, I was convinced to buy a brand new machine,” says Murray. “I’ll be using it to fly between my home, work, and other locations. Since I’ll be taking the family much of the time and our large dog, I wanted the kind of open, unobstructed cabin that the EC120B provides. I don’t just want to be the pilot; I want everybody to be part of the flight”.
“Since I have young kids, I also like the safety that the Fenestron tail provides by enclosing the tail rotor,” he continues. “Add the EC120B’s advanced airframe – it’s the most modern design out there – its glass cockpit, and Eurocopter’s reputation for making safe, cost-effective aircraft, and I was sold.”
For Shawn Murray, buying a Eurocopter represents a long-term commitment to personal flying. “I expect to be using this aircraft for 15 years, which is why I was willing to pay $1.5 million for it,” he says.
“Besides, you have to admit: The EC120B is an extremely cool-looking design!”
Eurocopter Canada Limited (www.eurocopter.ca) is a subsidiary of Eurocopter. Eurocopter Canada based in Fort Erie, Ontario has customer support centres in Vancouver, British Columbia and Montreal, Quebec. Eurocopter established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 13,000 people. In 2005, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.2 billion euros, orders for 401 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and para-public sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 16 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,500 customers in 139 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.
| For more information, please contact: | |
| Laura SENECAL Tel : + 905 871-7772 Fax :+ 905 871-3599 laura.senecal[at]eurocopter.ca Eurocopter Canada Limited |
Jesus RUIZ Tel: +34 91 379.66.04 Fax: +34 91 379 66 10 jesus.ruiz[at]eurocopter.com Eurocopter España, S.A |
| Christina GOTZHEIN Tel : + 49 (0) 89 6000 64 88 Fax :+ 49 (0) 89 6000 44 37 christina.gotzhein[at]eurocopter.com Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH |
|
Website: www.eurocopter.com
