PARIS-BASED Helicap has ordered six Eurocopter EC135 light twin-engined helicopters, equipped for emergency medical services (EMS), in a move to meet new European regulations.
According to Eurocopter, the helicopters will allow the company to meet the new European Joint Aviation Authorities JAR OPS3 rules, which ban single-engine operations over urban areas and at night. The rules are to be implemented on 1 April, 1998.
French operators have been slower to upgrade their fleets than those in some other European countries, because of local delays in making the regulations compulsory (Flight International, 14-20 August).
Helicap flies 17 single-engined AS350B/BA Ecureuils, 13 of which are fitted for air-ambulance work.
To date, most EMS operators in France have been flying single-engined types and they are now faced with having to upgrade their fleets. About ten companies are affected by the rules.
Source: Flight International
