Victoria, BC – December 21, 2007
The VIH Aviation Group has purchased and received the first Eurocopter EC135 to be delivered into the Canadian market. Soon to be in service, this EC135 will be based in Calgary and serve charter customers in the oil and gas sector. It is among 700 EC135s sold to date globally, with more than 600 already in service. The VIH Aviation Group is headquartered at the Victoria (BC) International Airport with bases strategically located throughout Western Canada, Newfoundland, the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska and China. The VIH Aviation Group, through its operating entities VIH Helicopters Ltd. and Cougar Helicopters, operate 65 helicopters of varying sizes and have an additional 26 more on order. The VIH Group is well positioned to service all sectors, some of which include natural resources, EMS, Tourism and Off Shore Oil.
“The EC135 meets FAR 29 requirements, which is exactly what our oil and gas clients have been asking for,” says Charlie Mooney, VIH Helicopters Ltd., General Manager. “They want new technology equipment with twin engine reliability. With the variable operating conditions in Canada we feel the EC135 will excel at providing the quality of service our customers require. When it comes to meeting these customer demands, “there’s nothing out there that can compete against the EC135,” Mooney notes.
Already the favoured choice for air ambulances and law enforcement in other countries, the Eurocopter EC135 is a light yet powerful twin-engine helicopter. With space for 6/7 passengers plus a pilot, the EC135’s unmatched maneuverability, up-to-the-minute technology and panoramic visibility make it a safe bet for any challenging situation.
The EC135’s low-noise, low-maintenance Fenestron tail rotor makes it the quietest helicopter in its class. In fact, the EC135’s noise emission is 7 dB below the ICAO limit. As for versatility, the EC135 can be equipped with two FADEC-equipped Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2 or Safran Arrius 2B2 engines.
“The EC135 is one of Eurocopter’s most successful and popular helicopters,” says Marie-Agnès Veve, President and CEO of Eurocopter Canada Limited. “We are delighted to bring it to Canada, where, I suspect, it will soon become a familiar sight in our skies.”
Eurocopter Canada Limited (www.eurocopter.ca) is a subsidiary of Eurocopter. Eurocopter Canada, based in Fort Erie, Ontario has a customer support network which spans the country. 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 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 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 |
| Christopher BACH Tel.: +49 (0) 906 71 45 65 Fax : +49 (0) 906 71 39 39 christopher.bach[at]eurocopter.com Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH |
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Website: www.eurocopter.com
