Eurocopter numbers; now you know

[212man]

A bit of light relief, but truth full none the less.

Ever wondered why a 135 was so , and where did 225 come from?

Right here goes:

Eurocopter devised this system; First number is either 1 or 6, 1 is civillian type, 6 is military.

Second number is weight category in metric tonnes (integer).

Last number is number of engines, 0=1, 5=2 (don't ask!).

So, a 130 is a civillian a/c with a MATOW of 3 tonnes and 1 engine, simple. A 655 is a military a/c with a MTOW of 5 tonnes and 2 engines, simple.

So where did 225 and 725 come from?

Ah, well, they only want to use 3 numbers, so if the weight is more than 9 they add it to the civil/mil bit;

So, A Super Puma Mk 2+ is 12 tonnes, so the mil version is;

6+
12,5=725

Civ version is;

1+
12,5=225

So now we can rest easy in our beds, problem solved.

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Another day in paradise

[This message has been edited by 212man (edited 05 July 2001).]

[Pat Gerard]

Thanks for the info. As you seem to be connected, do you know what happened with the Aerospatiale/Eurocopter scheme to give a tie pin with diamonds for every thousand hours on one of their types ? Or do you know who we need to contact ?

[4Rvibes]

What about the Dauphin and Squirrel (AS365, 350 & 355.) Where do they fit in?

[widgeon]

All AS numbers are Aerospatiale (AS355 , AS350) SA numbers are Sud Aviation (SA365 SA332 etc) . They were pre merger so they had their own logic ( i think they were sequential design numbers ) MBB designs that pre date the merger also had different logic. Someone once told me that Sikorsky model numbers were to do with year the design was launched ( S61 1961 , S76 1976 , S92 1992 ?) is there any truth in this , I'm sure Nick will let us know. I loved the post on one of the aviation sites about a guy cruising an EC135 at 40,000 ft at mach .85.
BTW the EC135 ( helicopter )was orginally the Bo108 sans Fenestron.

[This message has been edited by widgeon (edited 06 July 2001).]

[Lu Zuckerman]

To: Widgeon

While in the U S Coast Guard I was Maintaining HO3-S (S-51) helicopters in 1949 and HO4-S (S-55) helicopters in 1953. I believe a modified S-52 was the first helicopter to be looped and I believe that was prior to 1952. As A tech rep for Sikorsky I was working on H-34/HSS (S-58) helicopters and H-37 (S-56) helicopters in 1955. Based on this fact I would say that what you were told is not true. The numbers are sequential and those numbers not in the sequence were never placed into production or, they were developmental aircraft.

Here is the only exception: Having concentrated almost exclusively on military aircraft thus far, Sikorsky announced plans in January 1975 for a twin-turbine helicopter for the civil market. The company had carefully evaulated the needs of potential customers and, after having examined various solutions, had already acquired a number of options. Building of the four prototypes began in May 1976 (the designation S-76 was chosen to mark the American bicentennial). For many years and quite possibly still, the S-76 was/is called the Spirit. (Spirit of 76)

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The Cat

[This message has been edited by Lu Zuckerman (edited 06 July 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Lu Zuckerman (edited 06 July 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Lu Zuckerman (edited 06 July 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Lu Zuckerman (edited 06 July 2001).]

[PANews]

Its a wonderful formula, but just what are they going to do when they eventually put two motors in the EC130 .... they cannot have a 135 perhaps a 136?

[212man]

Perhaps they'll reduce it's weight by 100 kg and call it a 125? I also said " surely a 135 isn't a tonne lighter than the 145?" I think there is some lee way to make it work.

Re 365 etc, yes these are Eurocopter numbers not AS/SA/MBB.

Don't know about the 1000 hour pins, I'll ask. You'd need a pretty big tie to fit them all on though Pat!

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Another day in paradise

[Pat Gerard]

212man

Well, I believe it is a ruby for every 5000 hours !!!
About ties, I am looking for a Eurocopter tie with yellow helicopters on a blue background .Can anyone oblige ? worth a few pints ( or cokes ).

[Doc Cameron]

212man,

I do recall some scallywag putting 2 sets of 4 bars on Pat's immersion suit - the result was a little like Kenny Everett's omnipotent General - I've no doubt Pat can find a tie large and loud enough for all the silverware!

By-the-way - what about a first impressions report of the 155 (and will you have to change your handle?)?
Doc

[Pac Rotors]

Pat

I have a spare MD helicopters tie with the Explorer on it if you want it.

Pac Rotors :D

[Pat Gerard]

Pac Rotors

Is it a yellow helicopter on a blue background or a blue heli on a yellow background ?

[HOGE]

or a yellow helicopter on a yellow background? :D

[sling load]

I remember in an Aerospatiale mag about ten years ago, the president of Aerospatiale presented a 1000hr pin to the King of Spain for his Puma time, I have never seen them, but they owe me a couple. Would like to know where you get them, theres a guy i met in NZ a few years ago who had 20 000 hrs in one helicopter, it was an AS 350, cant remember the reg, but he certainly deserves a gold pin!