Hi Oxi

I suspect he is not going to save that much by cruising at 160kts @ 5000' when the maximum sector is only 40 miles.

TeeS

Contrary to what has always been put forward ECD have now released an upgrade from CDS P1 or T1 to CPDS T2 or P2.

If you are coming up for engine overhaul this may be a good option.

Giovani me old fruit, you're a bit behind the drag curve! I converted onto the T2 18 months ago - as did most of the UK Police operators! :cool:

Fortyodd
 

I may be old but definitely not fruity.

T1 to T2 CPDS is old hat I know. The issue is CDS to CPDS. I was told by ECD 6 months ago it wouldn't happen. The advice of this conversion being available is fairly recent.

The issue is CDS 1 of any flavour cannot be modded to a 2 without change to CPDS.

Was your machine originally CDS?

Oooops!
 

Takes foot out of mouth and reads post again! Sorry Giovani, you are quite correct - the CDS T1 to CPDS T2 is quite new.:O

Discussion, just last month, with ECD included the possibility of converting T1 CDS to T2 CPDS, but that any consideration to upgrade the avionics to FCDS would certainly not be economical, and more than likely not possible at all.

On the servicing issue - it's interesting to note that the 355 (with appropriate mods) has not had a 50 hr for some time. Can't remember anyone being too worried about that? With the move to this next generation of aircraft, with a plethora of data being fed back from so many hi-time users worldwide, as TC points out, ECD are not short of adequate figures to substantiate their advice to reduce service intervals. I shall remain confident in the machine without a 50, but will continue to inspect diligently on a daily/flight basis!

I'd concur with TC that the AUM increase announcement is more co-incidental than deliberate - but don't forget that it's what ECD are "looking towards" and is not set in stone quite yet. They've already advised removal of the 50 & 100 INSPECTIONS so it's up to operators whether they delay the latter, until the former is officially announced, to ensure "co-incidence"!

[My understanding was also that the increase may well just mean a different type of oil, before changing the software to adjust the FLI limits - easy on a T2, not quite sure how they'll work it on the CDS?]

T1CDS to T2CPDS costs are prohibitive to say the least for that extra ooomph!

CDS T1's will not be eligible for the AUM upgrade for the reasons
zorab64 states (software).

Would someone like to explain the terms CDS and CPDS as there are those who do not operate these machines.

In a nutshell, analogue instruments versus TV screens!!

For those who can afford more than monkey food....
 

CPDS - Central Panel Display System with multifunction screens together with analog flight instruments. As an option, the CPDS can be combined with FCDS Flight Control Display System.

CDS - Cockpit Display System with analog flight instruments or EFIS.

Eurocopter delivers 400th EC135 - the first offshore examples operated in Mexico

"EUROCOPTER proudly announces delivery of the first Eurocopter EC135 helicopters, offshore version. Delivered to Transportes Aéreos Pegaso, the new EC135’s will form part of an existing fleet of 11 EUROCOPTER helicopters (1 x Ecureuil AS 350, 6 x BK 117, 3 x BO 105, 1 x EC 145) used to provide services to Petróleos Mexicanos.

Transportes Aéreos Pegaso is an Offshore operations leader with over 20 years of experience in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 100,000 flight hours and over 1,000,000 passengers transported. Based at Ciudad del Carmen, they helicopter transport passengers and cargo for Petróleos Mexicanos, as well as providing personnel transport and logistical support to the Schlumberger Group in Campeche Sound and other petroleum companies in the Gulf of Mexico. They also offer pipeline and transmission line monitoring and checking services, executive passenger transport and emergency or ambulance transport support. Outside the Gulf of Mexico, Transportes Aéreos Pegaso also offers external cargo transport with hooks in the mines of Chihuahua."

A Little Bird told me........QES EC135
 

Heard on the grap vine that the NEW!! QES EC135 while out doing training with a Eurocopter instructor forgot to select training on the eng . ECU's and cooked both engines.
A quick drive to Redcliff airport showed a EC 135 with no blades, head or cowls over the engines sitting outside the hangar !
Poor old QES have had fun with Eurocopter with this helo in the past ,damaged tail boom that EC only wanted to repair, QES insisted on new one and got it, will EC cough up two new engines now?....... they mite but you never win with EC the next time a service is due or parts are reqd the price will go up!!
I've seen it all before in the UK and Norway where new ac were delivered with stuffups from the factory and EC payed up but it cost the operator in the long term , the french always get there money back.

... whereas Sikorsky, Bell and others are charity organisations.

Att. you were close......


Sikorsky,Bell and others actually provide customer support and SERVICE.

SMO

and EC does'nt ? So how come they outsell SK and Bell in the civilian market ? All the customers know s..t about support and services ? Come on.

Who's talking about outselling?? Support and service was my point. Only yesterday I could here the chief engineer on the phone using the words,"' slow, hopeless and useless"'......One guess what he was talking about.....I can't speak for what happens in France, only in Oz and I know of similar experiences here.....it's a pity as the aircraft(when servicable) are A1.

ATN,
I don't think the Eurocopters outsell the Sikorski's in their size range.
BlackHawks, S-92 and S-76 are matched against the EC 332L2's (and the new EC 225) and the EC 155's and I believe they hold their own in sales.

I am a big EC fan as other posts will show, but if you bend it you should mend it or more correctly, replace it. In recent months they have repaired avionics boxes rather than replace and we were paying, not them!! So they don't rip off every time.
Most companies will attempt to get their money back, however they will not punish one operator as suggested. Prices go up across the board and we all pay. This is basic economics that all companies will do (or go bust)

JE, what happened to your comments?? They were valid points......must have that 1200 hrly coming around soon????

And how did they manage to cook both engines by NOT having it in Training?