The A350 AStar is a common site at heliports, hospital landing pads, police department operations centers and airports across the United States. With built-in maneuverability, super visibility and low vibration levels in the cabin, the AS350 has earned its reputation as a true multi-mission workhorse. The AS350 B2 cruises at 133 kts. and has a range of up to 360 nautical miles under the power of its 732-shp. Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 turboshaft engine. The hot-and-high AS350 B3 version—outfitted with a FADEC-equipped 847-shp Turbomeca Arriel 2B1 retains the B2s spacious cabin while boosting the speed up to 140 knots and adding extra lifting capability. Both helicopters offer the benefits of enhanced safety and reduced workload with the Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) for pilots.
These attributes have led many law enforcement agencies to rely on the AS350 AStar for their most demanding missions. An example is the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office in California, which uses its AS350 B3 fleet to oversee an area of 23,000 sq. mi. the largest county landmass in the United States. The AS350 B3s provide power and versatility for the agencys diverse operating conditions, which range from Death Valley (located in the California desert, with much of its surface area below sea level) to the San Bernardino Mountain Range (which reaches to altitudes in excess of 12,000 ft.).
The Los Angeles Police Departments Air Support Division considered one of Americas most experienced airborne law enforcement units also is equipped with the AS350 AStar. This 24/7 operation by the LAPD has aircraft in the air at all times, patrolling a city of 465 square miles that encompasses dense urban areas, an arid desert climate, the Pacific Ocean shoreline and mountainous terrain. The AS350 has been in service with the Air Support Division since 2001, logging more than 75,000 hours of safe flight.
The AS350 also performs safely and cost-effectively for air medical services throughout the nation. Configured for vital life-saving and emergency transportation, the AS350 can carry up to four people (one pilot, one patient and two attendants) plus medical equipment.
A major AS350 customer is Air Methods Corporation the largest U.S. air medical transportation provider. Air Methods signed an agreement with American Eurocopter in September 2006 to purchase 10 AS350 B2/B3 AStars annually and indefinitely, making the helicopter its single-engine aircraft of choice. For its order batch due for delivery in 2008, Air Methods added 10 additional AStars to its annual acquisition.
Also flying AS350 AStars in air medical service operations is MedFlight of Ohio, which also uses Eurocopter BK117 and EC135 helicopters in its wide service area that covers most of Ohio.
AS350s are U.S.-built and certified at American Eurocopters state-of-the-art Columbus, Mississippi facility, located adjacent to the Golden Triangle Regional Airport . traduire