Without a doubt, the H125 is a successful helicopter in the aviation market. Single turbine, in 2021 it was the rotary wing aircraft with the highest number of deliveries in the world, 135 units according to clearprop data.
But this trajectory started way back. The first flight of a prototype of the Aérospatiale AS350 took place on June 27, 1974. The aircraft registration F-WVKH took off from Marignane, , for a short 40-minute flight in the surroundings.
On board the A350 were pilot Daniel Bauchart and flight test engineer Bernard Certain, despite the projected capacity being for up to 6 engers. Different from how we know it today, the first prototype was equipped with a Lycoming engine, the 101 horsepower LTS600-1A-592.
The version as we know it today, equipped with a Turboméca Arriel 2B engine (currently Safran), 848 hp, only took off on February 14, 1975. Airbus created this version for operations with greater performance, being able to take off with up to 2250 kg of weight total, allowing a capacity of 1076 kg between engers or cargo, and fuel.
The first "Esquilo" was delivered in March 1978, initially with the version equipped with the Arriel 2B (A350B). The following month, Airbus delivered an Esquilo with Lycoming engines, in the A350C version.
The A350/H125 is not the fastest helicopter in the world, it flies with a top speed of 287 km/h, and its autonomy is four hours of flight, or 662 kilometers in a straight line. However, all active units already have 28,5 million flight hours, a significant milestone.
With more than 400 units manufactured, the H125 “Esquilo” is a success due to its reliability and good maneuverability, in addition to being versatile for various types of uses, from transporting engers and cargo, to police or aeromedical service. Low fuel consumption is also an advantage of this helicopter.
In 2010 an A350 (now H125) was already used for rescue on Annapurna Mountain, at an altitude of 6900 meters, proving the extensive versatility of this equipment.
Initially known internally as the “Business Allouette” after another SNIAS helicopter, the company ended up naming the new helicopter Écureuil, which means “squirrel” in English.
A helibras currently produces the H125 – Esquilo and H225/H225M aircraft in Brazil, and over the 40 years of activity has delivered more than 800 helicopters in the country. Its factory, which employs around 500 professionals, also performs aircraft modernizations. The company also customizes several models that serve the civilian and military segments.
