Eurocopter AS355 Écureuil 2

what is it?

The Eurocopter, later Airbus Helicopters, AS355 Écureuil 2, or Twin Squirrel, is a twin-engine light utility helicopter developed and originally manufactured by Aérospatiale in France. The Écureuil 2 was directly derived from the single-engined AS350 Écureuil, performing its maiden flight on 28 September 1979 and introduced to service shortly thereafter. The type was marketed in North America as the TwinStar.

🔎How to recognise it: 2 turboshaft engines · 10.7 m main rotor

base stats

• speed 224 km/hcruise speed
• range 703 kmwithout refuelling
• size 2,540 kgmax take-off weight

Bars compare against all aircraft: 3,500 km/h, 20,000 km, 850 seats; size and number built on a log scale up to 640 t (An-225) and 45,000 built (Cessna 172).

fun facts

• 🎂First flew 47 years ago, in 1979.
• 🚗Rotor of 10.7 m: about 2 cars parked nose to tail.

turboshaft: A turbine that turns a shaft, usually a helicopter rotor.

spec sheet

first flight

1979-10-03

status

still flying

number built

—

role

light utility helicopter

origin

🇫🇷 France

makers

Airbus Helicopters, Helibras

engines

2× Allison 250-C20F

crew

1

length

12.9 m

rotor diameter

10.7 m

height

3.1 m

max take-off weight

2,540 kg

top speed

—

cruise speed

224 km/h

range

703 km

ceiling

3,400 m

Specs are for the version in the Wikipedia article's specification section. Blank means the sources don't say.