Orlando – March 1, 2007 – HAI 2007
Provincial Helicopters Ltd. (www.provincialhelicopters.ca), an ISO-certified air charter company and flight school located in Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, is purchasing a Eurocopter AS 350B3. According to Paul Gibson, Provincial Helicopters’ Vice President, the company selected the B3 for “the tough jobs” such as firefighting and exploration in Canada’s rugged north.
“We initially considered buying the Bell 407, but found that its cabin was too small for the missions we need to fly,” Gibson says. “In contrast, the B3 is roomy, is easy on the fuel burn, and yet has the extra lifting capacity we require. As well, the B3’s FADEC-equipped Safran Arriel 2B turbine engine has the power to operate in the mountainous terrain and cold winters/hot summers that Provincial flies in.”
A company with a ‘Can-do!’ attitude, Provincial Helicopters currently operates four rotorcraft; including a Eurocopter AS 355F2. “Our motto is ‘Have helicopter, will travel,” Paul Gibson says. “We will do anything our clients need from transporting buckets and vertical reference work to moving firefighters or groceries. We’re not fussy about what you want to put into our aircraft; all we care about is getting you where you want to go safely and fast. This is precisely why we are adding a rugged, heavy-lift helicopter like the AS 350B3 to our fleet.”
The Eurocopter AS 350B3 is a truly high performance, heavy-duty single engine helicopter. It offers room for 6-7 occupants, a maximum weight capacity of 2,250 kgs/4,960 lbs, and a fast cruising speed of 140 knots (279 kph).
“The AS 350B3 is a powerful workhorse that can handle the toughest missions capably, safely, and cost-effectively,” says Edouard Gaillat, President of Eurocopter Canada Limited. “Globally, we are seeing B3s being chosen for the kind of demanding work that Provincial Helicopters does so well.”
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. Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defense and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 14,000 people. In 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civilian/commercial and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centers. More than 9,800 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest range of commercial and military helicopters in the world.
100 years of vertical flight
The first vertical flight ever made was made by Paul Cornu in 1907. Since then great pioneering spirit, technological advances and innovative ideas have turned the helicopter into an aircraft without which air rescue as we know it would be unimaginable and which makes a significant contribution towards the safety and protection of individuals and to economic development. Eurocopter is proud to join in celebrating this centenary and its own passion for helicopters in 2007.
| For more information, please contact: | |
| Laura SENECAL Tel : + 905 871-7772 Fax :+ 905 871-3599 laura.senecal[at]eurocopter.ca Eurocopter Canada Limited |
Cécile VION-LANCTUIT Tel: + 33 (0)1 49 34 45 04 Mob:+ 33 (0)6 72 83 90 67 cecile.vion-lanctuit[at]eurocopter.com |
| Christina GOTZHEIN Tel : + 49 (0) 89 6000 64 88 Fax :+ 49 (0) 89 6000 44 37 christina.gotzhein[at]eurocopter.com |
Jesus RUIZ Tel: +34 91 379.66.04 Fax: +34 91 379 66 10 jesus.ruiz[at]eurocopter.com |
Website: www.eurocopter.com
