Aviator - Australia's Aviation Industry Magazine

The newest member of Eurocopter's helicopter family was formally launched earlier this year with the unveiling of the EC145 T2 – an evolved version of the popular twin-engine EC145 that incorporates new Arriel 2E engines, along with the company's Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, upgraded main and tail rotor gear boxes, an innovative new digital avionics suite and a 4-axis autopilot.

The EC145 T2 debuted at the Heli-Expo 2011 exposition in Orlando, Florida, where Eurocopter also announced launch agreements for a total of 17 helicopters from four international customers, who plan to utilise these rotary-wing aircraft in emergency medical services (EMS), oil and gas operations and business aviation.

With deliveries to begin in 2013, Eurocopter says the EC145 T2 will offer significantly improved performance, increased flight safety, enhanced human-machine interface, improved maintainability and lower operating costs for the light-medium twin-engine helicopter. It benefits from the heritage of Eurocopter’s EC145 and its BK117 predecessor, which together have logged more than 2.8 million flight hours in service around the world.

The EC145 T2’s most visible change is the integration of Eurocopter’s proven Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, which replaces the standard two-blade tail rotor. Advantages of the Fenestron include significantly higher safety levels on the ground and in flight, along with enhanced anti-torque control efficiency, reduced power demand in forward flight, and lower sound and vibration levels.

This Fenestron application expands Eurocopter’s use of the shrouded tail rotor, which currently is on Eurocopter’s EC120, EC130, EC135, AS365 Dauphin and EC155 helicopters. For the EC145 T2, its Fenestron has new composite blades, a new-design tail gear box with lower maintenance costs, and incorporates a duplex tail rotor actuator and dual hydraulic circuits. It is installed in a new, damage-tolerant all-composite tail boom.

The EC145 T2’s new Arriel 2E turboshaft engines are digitally controlled by dual Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADEC), and provide increased performance throughout the helicopter’s operational range. The average performance increase is 25 per cent, with significant enhancement in the OEI (one engine inoperative) flight mode.

Other changes for the EC145 T2 include a new modular avionics suite that incorporates three large primary displays and a 4-axis autopilot as standard equipment. It provides an innovative and efficient human-machine interface for flight crews, improved situational awareness and reduced pilot workload, while also offering additional mission capabilities.

The helo seems perfectly suited for the most demanding multi-purpose mission requirements with a directly attributable heritage as the latest evolution of the EC145/BK117 family. This family of aircraft has seen more than 800 deliveries worldwide and has accumulated more than three million flight hours. The EC145 T2 combines Eurocopter’s breakthrough technologies, including an advanced cockpit design, modern avionics, 4-axis autopilot and a Fenestron® tail rotor, with the rugged and proven designs of the BK117 family, such as the main rotor system.

Thanks to its outstanding roomy and versatile cabin, this aircraft can accommodate up to 12 seats and can be
configured for either one or two pilots.

POWERFUL
The EC145 T2 is equipped with two powerful and modern Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, each controlled by a dual channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), which, in combination with the aircraft’s lifting system, provide
outstanding All Engine Operative (AEO) performances. The One Engine-Inoperative (OEI) performances of this new
aircraft version have been significantly improved.

The EC145 T2 is capable of Category A operations up to Class 1 and Class 2 performance, according to EASA OPS.

HIGHEST SAFETY STANDARDS IN FLIGHT AND ON THE GROUND
Building upon the high safety standards of the EC145, the EC145 T2 sets the limits even higher in several ways, including the Fenestron, a proven Eurocopter tail rotor innovation with an anti-torque-device and redundant hydraulics. It is the ideal solution for 360° approachability at all times and the highest protection for those on the ground. The Fenestron also allows for increased operations in dense urban areas and confined spaces (helipad, forest), where foreign object damage is a high risk.

According to Eurocopter, the EC145 T2 boasts the most advanced human machine interface with innovative Eurocopter avionics suite, including a 4-axis autopilot, enabling pilots to concentrate fully on their mission; new unique displays and alerting system concept for high awareness in all situations.

The Turbomeca Arriel 2E engine-model brings modernity, with a new dual-channel FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) generation, to enhance safety and to reduce the pilot’s workload.

The new gear box of the EC145 T2 is an evolution of the proven solutions offered by the EC145 and Bölkow System. Both the main gear box and aircraft components benefit from an increased time between scheduled maintenance
overhauls, resulting in lower maintenance costs and the best solution to keep your aircraft in-service when you need it. The new Engine Data Recorder (EDR), along with an e-Logbook, provides an increased surveillance of system behavior allowing for further analysis in order to anticipate upcoming maintenance needs.

Equipped with the Fenestron®, which significantly reduces sound levels, the EC145 T2 is the quietest helicopter
in its class. The all-composite structure and aerodynamic geometry of this tail boom also contribute to an optimised fuel consumption.

With a refined interior and a pleasing exterior shape thanks to the Fenestron tail rotor, the EC145 T2 provides even the most demanding customers with solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Sharing many basic features with the EC145, the EC145 T2 will be able to be equipped with the same optional
equipment to carry out missions such as EMS, Law Enforcement, SAR, Business Aviation, oil and gas and utility.

The EC145 T2 comes with a 4-axis auto pilot, optimising the capabilities of the aircraft for over-water day and night SAR missions. This innovative auto pilot, developed specifically for helicopters, is already available and in operation with the EC155, EC175 and EC225. It has been acknowledged by its operators as a high end, user-friendly and
extremely helpful system.

UPDATE ON EC145 T2 TEST FLIGHT CAMPAIGN (AS AT 16/11/11):

The EC145 T2 has been flying in the United States as part of a test campaign. The first prototype T2 arrived in Arizona in July for hot-weather testing, and then moved to Colorado for high-altitude testing. The flight testing is now complete;
Prototype 1 (“PT1”);
Prototype 2 (“PT2”);
- 1st Flight of PT2 on 28/10/11;
- PT2 tests the new Avionic System and AFCS;
- 1h15’ flight test à good behavior of aircraft and systems;
- Flight testing continued last weeks, today total of 10 Fh;

MAIN IMPROVEMENTS ON THE EC145 T2 OVER THE CURRENT EC145

New Engines (Turbomeca Arriel 2E) with double channel FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control);
Upgraded main gear box;
New Anti-torque system with:
New Fenestron rotor – New Fenestron gear box – New duplex hydraulic actuator
New composite tail boom and stabiliser assy
New avionic suite with embedded 4-axis AFCS in standard helicopter
Adaptation of electrical system
Adaptation of fuel system

WHY THE EC145 T2 IS SUPERIOR TO THE CURRENT EC145

Significantly enhanced CAT A VTOL performances;
Improved hot/high performances in AEO operations;
Increased safety in flight and on ground due to most modern engines with double channel FADEC, Fenestron tail rotor, avionic system and 4-axis autopilot;
Most advanced human machine interface (HMI) with embedded features and functions for increased situation awareness and reduction of pilot work load;
Improved maintainability (800h periodical inspections instead of 600h);
Target 10% reduction of Direct Maintenance Costs (DMC) despite increase of overall