Gironde Pilot Station acquired its first helicopter in October 1985. It was an Ecureuil AS 355 F1. From 1998 to 2001, service was temporarily provided by a Dauphin 365 C. In 2001, it was replaced by an EC 135 T1, which was succeeded by a new EC 135 T2 in July 2008.
The Gironde estuary sees 2,400 ships transit through it each year. The helicopter performs approximately 1,000 winching operations per year and, in principle, does not land on board ships.
The maintenance, certified to PART 145, is performed in-house.
The Gironde estuary sees 2,400 ships transit through it each year. The helicopter performs approximately 1,000 winching operations per year and, in principle, does not land on board ships.
The maintenance, certified to PART 145, is performed in-house.
Eurocopter EC 135 T2 +
- Biturbine Turboméca Arrius 2B2
- Continuous power: 440 kW
- Speed: 125 knots (230 km/h)
- HES mono standard: 2,670 kg
- Range: 2h30
- Fuel consumption: 240 L/h
- Capacity: 5 persons (1 pilot, 1 winch operator, 3 passengers)
- Takeoffs possible with winds up to 50 knots
- Visibility ceiling: 300 feet daytime, 1,000 feet nighttime
- Variable-speed winch (max: 1.25 m/s)
- Rotor with vibration damper (improves hover stability)
- Rear Fenestron
- Emergency flotation gear, mounted on the skids
- Biturbine Turboméca Arrius 2B2
- Continuous power: 440 kW
- Speed: 125 knots (230 km/h)
- HES mono standard: 2,670 kg
- Range: 2h30
- Fuel consumption: 240 L/h
- Capacity: 5 persons (1 pilot, 1 winch operator, 3 passengers)
- Takeoffs possible with winds up to 50 knots
- Visibility ceiling: 300 feet daytime, 1,000 feet nighttime
- Variable-speed winch (max: 1.25 m/s)
- Rotor with vibration damper (improves hover stability)
- Rear Fenestron
- Emergency flotation gear, mounted on the skids
Helicopter winch operation on an an oil tanker
