Airbus Helicopters H-130
The Eurocopter (now Airbus) EC130, marketed today as the H130, pairs the AS350 Ecureuil's proven single-engine airframe with a fenestron shrouded tail rotor and a wider, quieter cabin aimed squarely at sightseeing tour operators. Its lower external noise level was specifically engineered to meet strict noise limits at popular tourist sites, including operators flying over the Grand Canyon. The wide, forward-facing cabin windows give every passenger a clear view outward, a deliberate design choice for the tour market it was built for. It remains one of the most common helicopters flying commercial sightseeing routes worldwide.
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Did you know?
The EC130 pairs a quiet fenestron tail rotor with wide, forward-facing cabin windows, built specifically for sightseeing tour operators.
Specifications
| Length | 10.7 m (35 ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 3.3 m (11 ft) |
| Rotor diameter | 10.7 m (35 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 6 |
| Persons on board | 8 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 2.4 t |
| Range | 405 NM (750 km) |
| Maximum speed | 140 kt (259 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 17,585 ft (5,360 m) |
| Optimum ceiling | 8,000 ft (2,438 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,800 ft/min (9.1 m/s) |
| Fuel capacity | 540 l |
| Engines | 1x Turbomeca Arriel 2D |
| Units built | 900 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
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