OREANDA-NEWS. January 24, 2012. UTair Aviation, the world’s leading helicopter operator in fleet capacity and size, has received three new Eurocopter Ecureuil AS350 B3e helicopters according to a contract for 20 Ecureuil helicopters, the largest UTair helicopter contract to date. In December 2011, the AS350 B3e helicopter was certified by the Russian Interstate Aviation Committee.

“We are happy to have new advanced AS350 B3e helicopters in our fleet. The AS350 B3e helicopter has improved flight safety features and higher reliability as well as being more fuel efficient and powerful,” remarked UTair Aviation CEO Andey Martirosov about the new aircraft. “This enables us to offer a competitive business transportation product to our customers in the oil and gas industry and on the helicopter service market.”

 “With the Ecureuil AS350 B3e now certified by the IAC for operation in Russia and the CIS, we are happy to start delivering this upgraded version of one of Eurocopter's most popular helicopters to our customers in these regions,” said Eurocopter Vostok CEO Laurence Rigolini concerning the certification and first shipment of the aircraft. “UTair Aviation is one of our main customers for the Ecureuil family of helicopters in Russia and will also be the first air transport service company to take advantage of this new helicopter and its performance capabilities.”

Ecureuil AS350 B3e is an enhanced modification of the single-engine AS350 B3. The powerful, high-performance helicopter is designed to carry out the most demanding missions in the most extreme weather and geographical conditions. Its exceptional lifting capability, high endurance threshold, extended range and fast cruise speed make the AS350 B3e the leader in its class. In May 2005, a serial production AS350 B3 Ecureuil set a world record by making a landing on Mount Everest.

The AS350 B3e cockpit is fitted with a dual LCD-screen Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD), allowing the pilot with a single glace to check the main engine and other rotoraft parameters - reducing pilot workload and enhancing safety. The use of composite material for the airframe, rotors and main rotor head gives the AS350 B3e the best protection against corrosion and, consequently, reduces maintenance costs.