The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified the new EC135 T3/P3 by Airbus Helicopters, completing a new and important chapter in the development history of the EC135.

Following in the footsteps of the successful EC135 T2+/P2+, the EC135 T3/P3 again sets new standards in terms of performance, safety and reliability for the EC135 family of helicopters. This new version, like the previous ones, will offer the most competitive operating costs in this helicopter class. The nearly 1,200 EC135 helicopters delivered as of today have clocked up over three million flight hours world-wide.

“When it comes to rescue missions, police surveillance, trips to and from oil platforms, wind park maintenance or private transport, the EC135 T3/P3 upholds our promise to continuously improve our products,” said Wolfgang Schoder, CEO of Airbus Helicopters Germany. “This helicopter embodies tomorrow’s requirements – not only in terms of performance and safety, but also of reliability and efficiency.”

The EC135 T3/P3 offers more than 200 kg of additional payload in hot & high conditions. Compared to the previous version this helicopter performs better at sea level, allowing up to 70 kg more payload for single engine/CAT performances. Its tried-and-trusted safety standards match those of the EC135 T2+/P2+.

Notable technical improvements in the EC135 T3/P3 include a larger main rotor for more lift, and lateral air inlets for greater efficiency. The new FADEC software provides optimized engine control and the cockpit features the fully integrated navigation, communication and GPS avionics solution GTN 750 from Garmin.

Previous EC135 versions can be fully retrofitted to bring them up to the technical level of the new EC135 T3/P3. Airbus Helicopters offers special retrofit packages that are based on the flight hours of each helicopter.

Airbus Helicopters press release