Helicopters

Eurocopter has left Heli-Expo in Houston, Texas with letters of intent for 111 of its new EC175s, having opened the show by unveiling a full-scale mock-up of the 7t-class, 16-passenger helicopter.

The European manufacturer says 13 different customers signed letters of intent to buy the EC175 during the three days of the show. These included launch customers Bristow Group and VIH Aiation of Canada, both oil and gas operators.

Other commitments came from the UK's Bond, Denmark's Dancopter, France's Heli-Union, Era and Halvorson Group of the USA, India's Global Vectra, New Zealand's HNZ, Belgium's NHV and Pegaso of Mexico.

                                                                                          © Eurocopter

The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67E-powered EC175 is being developed jointly with China's Harbin Aviation Industry Group. First flight is scheduled for 2009, with European certification expected in 2011.