1981

New Frontiers

The development of technologies for the follower of the BO105 had commenced in 1981.The concept phase of the BO108 was completed in 1984; in 1985 the development of the prototype, the BO108, started.

Over the next four years, the MBB helicopter development team have concentrated mainly on the development of new and improved rotor systems, dynamic components, vibration insulation systems, fiber-composite construction techniques, electrical and avionc systems, cockpit layout and engines installation.

New systems and processes of this kind have been flight-tested individually in both the BO105 and the BK117. Finally MBB has decided to integrate all of these new technoloy in the BO108.

In mid-September 1988, MBB Prototype Construction handed over the BO108 V1 to Flight Testing, where first of all extensive ground tests took place. Then on October 15^th, the helicopter took off the first time.

1988, Oct. 15^th

Maiden Flight of BO108 V1, D-HBOX, 1^st prototype

The first prototype completed its first hover flight on October 15^th 1988, followed by forward flights at speeds of up to 255 km/h. These flights were succesfully flown by ECD Chief Pilot Helicopter Flight Test Udo Hausen and Flight Test Engineer Hubert Müller, at the MBB Testflight Center at Ottobrunn near Munich. The V1 is powered by 2 RR Allison 250 C20R/1 engines.

The pictures shows from the left to right:: Siegfried Attlfellner (Head Flight Testcenter), Schick (Head of Project BO108), Udo Hausen(MBB Chef-Testpilot), Volker von Tein (Head of Development  at MBB), Müller (Flight Test Engineer), Herr Rebholz, Dr. Fichtmüller (CEO MBB)

1988, Dec. 13^th

MBB officially unveils the BO108

On December 13^th, 1988, in the presence of numerous guests from the speres of politics, economics, science and industry, the first public flight of the BO108 took place, which was the official unveiling of this twin-engined experimental helicopter. MBB Chief Helicopter Test Pilot, Siegfried Hoffmann, and Flight-Test Engineer Hubert Müller gave an impressive flight Demonstration.

1990 until 1999

1990, May

The BO108 goes public at ILA Hannover

The BO108 V1, which completed its first flight on October 15^th 1988, made its first public appearance at the Internationalen Luftfahrtausstellung at Hannover. Interested customer took the opportunity to test the BO108 V1. MBB’s test pilots spent more than nine and a half hours “in the air” with qualified customers, all of whom gave the BO108 excellent marks.

1990, September

Farnborough Air Show

At Farnborough MBB showed up with the 1:1 Mockup of the BO108 and informed the visitors about the progress of the development of the BO108.

1991, Jan. 28^th

MBB gives the “Green-Light” for BO108 Series Production

On January 28^th , 1991, MBB annouced during the Heli Expo at Anaheim / California that the BO108 will replace the BO105.

MBB / Eurocopter offers, from the very beginning, with the EC135 helicopter the first and only light-twin helicopter with the option of 2 different engines, the Turbomeca ARRIUS and Pratt & Whitney PW206.

1991, June 5^th

Maiden Flight of BO108 V2, D-HBEX, 2^nd Prototype

The second prototype made its first flight at Eurocopter’s Flight-test Centre at Ottobrunn. The flight lasted 40 minutes and was flown by ECD Test-Pilot Helmut Rückert and Flight Test-Engineer Michael v. Gersdorf. The V2 is powered by 2 Turbomeca TM319-1B, ARRIUS, engines with FADEC.

The V2 showed significant changes to comparison to the V1:

• Fuselage stretched by 15 cm
• Interior cabin width extended by 10 cm
• Main rotor extended to 10,20 m

 The picture shows the BO108 V1 and the BO108 V2 (background)

1991, September

First 200 Flight hours on BO108 V1

Mid September 1991, the BO108 V1, in flight test operation since October 1988, has accumulated the first 200 flight hours. The BO108 V1 has, since June 1991, reached 30 flight hours.

1991, Oct. 10^th

Commercial Helicopter Advisory Team

Eurocopter has created 2 Commercial Helicopter Advisory teams (CHAT), one North-America and the second for Europe. The first meeting took place in Dallas / USA on October 10^th. and 11^th, the second meeting has been conducted in Ottobrunn Germany on February 13^th and 14^th ,1992. The targets were to exchange and incorporate ideas between operators and the manufacturer.

1992, Jan. 22^nd

Foundation of Eurocopter

On Januray 22^nd, 1992 the helicopter divisions of Aerospatiale und MBB fusinated to Eurocopter. This event took place at the Théatre des Champs Elysées in Paris.

1992

Design Freeze in late 1992

In various CHAT meetings the final lay-out was frozen:

• Increase of maximum seating capacity to 7 seats including pilot and co-pilot seats
• Advanced Fenestron 3^rd Generation with substantial reduction of noise emission
• The BO108 was re-named to EC135

The EC135 was the first helicopter designed, developed and built within Eurocopter.

1993

3 Pre-production Helicopters

Eurocopter Deutschland produced 3 pre-production helicopters.

• SN 4001 (D-HECX) with TM ARRIUS 2B engines
• SN 4002 (D-HECY) with P&W 206B engines
• SN 4003 (D-HECZ) with TM ARRIUS 2B engines

The pre-production helicopters were used for fulfil the certification requirements and for demonstration flights. They accumulated in total nearly 1600 flight hours by end of 1996. All 3 ships had been retired.

1994, Feb. 15^th

Maiden Flight of EC135 T1, D-HECX

The Maiden Flight of the 1^st pre-production helicopter took place at Ottobrunn flown by ECD Test-Pilot Helmut Rückert and Flight Test Engineer Manfred Hausner. The flight crew performed a 90 minutes flight. The helicopter is powered by 2 TM ARRIUS 2B engines

1994, April 16^th

Maiden Flight of EC135 P1, D-HECY

The Maiden Flight of the 2^nd pre-production helicopter took place at ECD Flight Test Centre in Ottobrunn flown by ECD Test Pilot Kuck and Flight Test Engineer Hamel. The flight crew performed successfully a 90 minutes flight. The helicopter is powered by 2 P&W 206B engines

The picture shows the SN 4001, D-HECX, (front) and the SN 4002, D-HECY.

1994, Nov. 28^th

Maiden Flight of EC135 T1, D-HECZ

The Maiden Flight of the 3^rd pre-production helicopter took place at ECD Flight Test Centre in Ottobrunn flown by ECD Test Pilot Herbert Graser. The crew performed successfully a 90 minutes test flight. The helicopter is powered by TM ARRIUS 2B engines

1995, January

Deput of EC135 in US

The EC135 was presented to the US customers the first time at Heli Expo in Las Vegas in January 1995.

1996, June 16^th

EC135 – LBA Certification VFR

On June 16^th 1996 the LBA granted to Eurocopter the VFR certification for the EC135, for both engines options, according to JAR27.

1996, July 31^st

EC135 – FAA Certification VFR

On July 31^st 1996 the FAA granted Eurocopter the VFR certification for the EC135, for both engine options, according to FAR Part 27 with Cat A provisions.

1996, July 31^st

At the same day EC received the VFR certification for the EC135 granted by FAA, the first two series production helicopters, SN 4005 and 4006, were delivered to the Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht – DRF.

1997, Dec. 15^th

Sale of the 100^th EC135

The Franco-German helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter celebrates the sale of the 100^th EC135. Only 18 months have passed since the type certificate has granted to Eurocopter by the LBA for this light twin-engine helicopter. (Reference: EADS)

1998, Dec. 9^th

EC135 – IFR Certification by LBA and DGAC

On December 9^th, 1998 the French DGAC and the German LBA jointly awarded Eurocopter the IFR certification.

1999, June 16^th

100^th Delivery of EC135 P1 to the Bavarian State Police

Within 3 years of series production the first 100 EC135 helicopters were produced and delivered. EC135 P1, SN 4100, was delivered to the State Police of Bavaria / Germany.

1999, Dec.2^nd

EC135 – Single Pilot IFR Certification by LBA

SP-IFR certification awarded by LBA/Germany on 2^nd December 1999 according JAA.

2000 until 2009

2001, March

EC135 T1 – ARRIUS Engine Upgrade

EC135 deliveries with upgraded TM ARRIUS 2B1 engines

2001, March 30^th

EC635 Maiden Flight

On March 30^th 2001, the EC635 performed its maiden flight at Donauwörth. The EC635 is the military version of the EC135. (Reference: EADS)

2001, April

EC135 T1 – ARRIUS Engine Upgrade

Up-grated engine to ARRIUS 2B1A

2001, August

EC135 P2 – P&W Engine Upgrade

The EC135 P2 introduced in August 2001 with PW 206B2 engines, improved power rating.

2002, September

EC135 T2 – TM Engine Upgrade

The EC135 T2 introduced in September 2002 with TM ARRIUS 2B2 engines, improved power rating.

2002, Sept. 12^th

First Delivery of EC135 T2 to Helicap

On September 12^th the first EC135 T2 was handed over to Helicap, a French EMS operator.

2002, Oct 25^th

250^th Delivery of EC135 T2 to Coyot Air / Spain

Within 6 years of series production 250 EC135 helicopters were produced and delivered. EC135 T2, SN 4250, was delivered to the private operator Coyot Air / Spain. CoyotAir is a young Spanish EMS provider. CoyotAir is already operating 5 Eurocopter helicopter (three AS350 B3, two AS355 N).

The EC135 fleet is presently operated by 92 customers in 25 countries.

2003, August

300^th Delivery of EC135 T2 to North Midland Police / UK

The EC135 T2, SN 4300, was delivered to the North Midland Police /UK.

2006, February

EASA Certification for EC135 P2i and EC135 T2i

On February 21^st 2006 the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) granted to Eurocopter the certification for the latest variants of the EC135 P2i and EC135 T2i. These variant have beside other improvements an increased take off weight 2,910 kg (former take off weight: 2,835 kg).

2006, April

20 EC635 / 135 for the Swiss Air Force

On April 25^th 2006 the Suisse procurement branch Armasuisse and Eurocopter signed a purchase agreement over 20 helicopters, 18 EC635 LTSH (Light Transport and Training Helicopters) and 2 EC135 for VIP Transport. The EC635 is the military variant of the EC135. The delivery will start beginning 2008. The Suisse RUAG Aerospace, as subcontractor of Eurocopter, will responsible for the final assembly of 16 EC635 helicopters.

2006, August

Heeresfliegerschule marked 30,000 Flight Hours on EC135

The German Army Aviation Training Centre Bückeburg marked by end of August 2006 a total of 30,000. flight hour on its 14 EC135 helicopter.

2007, January

37 EC135 for French Gendarmerie

In January 2007 Eurocopter and the French Gendarmerie signed a purchase agreement over 37 EC135 helicopters, 12 firm orders and 25 options. (Reference: Eurocopter)

2007, June

Eurocopter received Canadian Certification for EC135

Following intensive negotiations between Transport Canada, Eurocopter Deutschland und Eurocopter Canada Ltd., Eurocopter received on June 5^th, 2007 the Canadian Certification (H-106) for the EC135 P1, P2 & P2i.

2007, September

Austrian Ministry of Interior ordered EC135 for Police

On September 26^th 2007, the Austrian Ministry of Interior purchased 8 EC135 P2i for its Police Forces.

Four of the purchased aircraft will be delivered in March 2008, just before the European Football Championship 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. The remaining four are scheduled for March and May 2009.

2007, October

Flight Simulator for EC135 in service

On October 19^th 2007, a flight simulator for the EC135 was put into service at the Eurocopter Helicopter Training Centre at Donauwörth. With the flight simulator Eurocopter responds to the increasing demand for operational oriented and weather independent training facilities. (Reference: Eurocopter)

2007, December

First Canadian EC135 Helicopter delivered

On December 19^th 2007 the first Canadian certified EC135 P2i, SN 479, has been delivered to the VIH Aviation Group. The helicopter will be based at Calgary. The VIH Group is operating helicopters in EMS, Tourism and Off Shore.

The hand over ceremony took place at the Eurocopter Canada plant in Fort Erie.

The pictures provided by Eurocopter Canada Ltd. shows from right to left: Charlie Mooney, General Manger VIH Helicopters Ltd., Ken Morie, President, VIH Aviation Group Ltd., Marie-Agnès Veve, President & CEO, Eurocopter Canada Ltd., Tony Brown, Vice-President Sales & Customer Service, Eurocopter Canada Ltd..

2008, March

The first EC635 destined for the Swiss Air Force was handed over to the Swiss federal procurement, technology and real estate centre armasuisse at the Eurocopter factory in Donauwörth on 7 March. Thanks to excellent and intensive cooperation with the customer, this first delivery took place two weeks prior to the contractually agreed deadline. This means that the Swiss Light Transport and Training Helicopter (LTSH) programme is running well on schedule. The contract, signed in April 2006, provides for the delivery of a total of 18 EC635 transport and training helicopters, plus two EC135s for the army’s air transport service. The EC635/EC135s will replace the Swiss air force’s Alouette III helicopters. (Reference: Eurocopter)

2010, June 10^th

Delivery of the 900^th EC135 P2+ to the Bavarian Police Helicopter Squadron

During the ILA 200 at Berlin Eurocopter handed over to the Bavarian State Minister for Interior Affairs, Joachim Herrmann, a EC135 P2+, SN 900. The helicopter is fully equipped for IFR including operations with NVG. Furthermore equipment such as FLIR System, rescue winch and firefighting devices completes the helicopter. (Reference: Eurocopter Press Release)

30^th June 2010

Poland buys 23 EC135 Helicopters and one EC135-Simulator

Poland’s Ministry of Health ordered 23 EC135 helicopters and 1 EC135-Simulator in order to provide Emergency Medical Service in its Country. (Reference: Eurocopter Press Release)

2013, May 6^th

Eurocopter Turkey’s preferred supplier of air ambulance helicopters

Eurocopter’s EC135 will perform medical airlift duties throughout Turkey with a fleet fo 17 helicopters to be flown by the Turkish Association’s THK Gökcen Aviation commercial arm, marking the last major contract win for this twin-engine rotorcraft in the international emergency medical services (EMS) marketplace. (Reference: ROTOR In issue 72)