THE EC120 FIVE-SEAT HELICOPTER has undergone over 60h of testing since its first flight in June 1995 from the Eurocopter France site at Marignane. A second aircraft is scheduled to join the programme by the middle of this year. The aircraft, a joint venture between Eurocopter, Singapore Aerospace and China National Aero-Technology Import and Export, is on schedule for certification at the end of the year. Powered by the Turbom‚ca TM319, the helicopter has already reached its maximum ceiling of 20,000ft (6,100m) and speed of 127kt (235km/h).

Source: Flight International