Eurocopter Colibri
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| Eurocopter Colibri EC 120 B | ||
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| Description | ||
| Role: light utility/transport helicopter | ||
| Crew + passengers: 1/2 + 4/3 | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Length: 11.52 m (main rotor to tail rotor) | ||
| Fuselage length: 9.60 m | ||
| Height: 3.40 m | ||
| Rotor diameter: 10.00 m | ||
| Weights | ||
| Empty: 960 kg | ||
| Maximum internal fuel: 320.8 kg | ||
| Maximum take-off: 1,715 kg | ||
| Powerplant | ||
| Engine: 1 x Turbomeca Arrius 2F turbine engine | ||
| Power: 335 kW | ||
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed: 150 kt (280 km/h) | ||
| Maximum range (internal fuel): 771 km | ||
| Service ceiling: >20,000 ft (6,100 m) | ||
| Maximum rate of climb: 7.36 m/s | ||
| Payload | ||
| Maximum useful payload: 755 kg | ||
| Maximum payload on external sling: 700 kg | ||
The Eurocopter Colibri (also designated as the Colibri EC 120 B) is a light (1.6 ton) single-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter.
The Colibri (French: hummingbird) can carry up to 4 passengers in addition to the pilot, all in crash-resistant seats. It also has a crash-resistant fuel system.
The design of the Colibri's wide cabin (featuring excellent visibility) makes it suitable for wide variety of civilian and parapublic missions, such as utility transport, offshore transport, training, law enforcement, casualty evacuation and corporate transport.
In the casualty evacuation role, the helicopter can carry one pilot and one stretcher patient as well as one or two medical attendants. For cargo carrying, the Colibri can carry one pilot plus 2.94 cubic meters of total useful load volume (cabin and hold).
The EC 120 B is mostly built from composite materials and has a Turbomeca Arrius 2F engine as well as a fenestron (shrouded) tail rotor, making it a particularly quiet helicopter.
In addition to its civilian roles, the Colibri is also used by the military for training, observation and light utility missions. In the latter role, it can carry a sling load cargo of up to 700 kg.
The first EC 120 B was delivered in 1998 and by the end of 2002, Eurocopter had already delivered more than 300 Colibris to various customers.
The EC 120 is an ideal Law Enforcement Helicopter. Due to its light weight, and powerful engine, it is able to carry equipment such as FLIR cameras, spotlights and other useful tools. Some Law Enforcement agencies currently using the EC 120 include: US Customs and Border Protection, the Edmonton, Alberta Police Service (AIR-1) and the Calgary Police Service (HAWC 2).
In 2006, the United States Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection ordered 10 EC120 helicopters, with options for up to 55 which was reported as a total value of US$ 75 million[1]. This would put the unit cost at $ 1.36 million.
It was used in the movie The Island where it is called by its nickname "Whisper" due to its quietness.
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