The NH90 Reaches the Top
Marignane, 21 November 2005
The tests were conducted by the Eurocopter product team made up of experimental test pilot Philippe Boutry, flight test engineer Denis Trivier, and flight test technician Jean-Claude Rabany.
The 9,191 ft (2,801 m) high airfield at Latacunga was chosen because of its facilities, safety equipment, 3,700 m long runway, and other advantages.
The 21 flights representing 20 hours 35 minutes of testing were mainly devoted to performance (hover, level flight, climb, Cat B, Cat A), engine operation (transients, one engine inoperative power), simulated autorotations, maneuverability in and out of ground effect, altitude-speed envelope, and fly-away characteristics.
At the end of the test campaign, Philippe Boutry said: "Once again the helicopter has given proof of its inherent qualities and reliability in this case, in severe conditions."
A test crew from CEV (Flight Test Center) also took part in the trials.
This successful high altitude campaign enhances the qualification file of the NH90 the most important helicopter program ever undertaken in Europe and recognized today as the standard in its category.
To date, 357 orders with 88 options have been placed for the NH90, and two countries have selected 45 machines.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
For further information, please contact:
Jean-Louis ESPES
Eurocopter
Tel.: + 33 (0) 4 42 85 95 55
Fax: + 33 (0) 4 42 85 95 64
mailto: jean-louis.espes@eurocopter.com
Christina GOTZHEIN
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
Tel.: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88
Fax: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 44 37
mailto: christina.gotzhein@eurocopter.com
Jesus RUIZ
Eurocopter España, S.A.
Tel.: + 34 91 511 04 70
Fax: + 34 91 511 04 69
mailto: jesus.ruiz@eurocopter.com
Christopher BACH
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
Tel.: +49 (0) 906 71 4565
Fax: +49 (0) 906 71 3939
mailto: christopher.bach@eurocopter.com
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