The Turkish State Airport Administration (DHMI), a subsidiary of the Turkish Ministry of Transport and the Eurocopter Group today confirmed a contract for two EC145 helicopters, at the ILA trade fair in Berlin Germany. The aircrafts are the first of their kind to be delivered to the Turkish government and they are equipped for the deployment of airport security missions and corporate transportation needs. The delivery of the helicopters is scheduled already for the fourth quarter of 2010.

The EC145 is a latest-generation light twin-engine helicopter. It responds perfectly to new mission requirements for flexibility and versatility in the light-medium segment and at the same time optimizes investments and operational costs. The EC145 is able to carry one or two pilots and up to nine passengers. With a fast cruise speed of 135 kts and an endurance of up to 3.5 hours, the EC145 is the right choice for search and rescue missions, emergency medical services, police and homeland security missions as well as the corporate/VIP transportation market.

The EC145 is one of Eurocopter’s most successful helicopters in the civil range. Currently there are 186 civil EC145s in flight worldwide and 121 of them are especially equipped for E.M.S., Rescue & SAR purposes. Many renowned customers trust in the light utility helicopter all over Europe and worldwide: the Securité Civile (French Civil Defence and Emergency Preparedness Organisation), Gendarmerie Nationale (French National Police), REGA Swiss Air Rescue, ADAC Air Rescue, DRF Air Rescue (Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht) and the Ukrainian Ministry for Emergencies; as well as some German state police forces, the London Metropolitan Police and Devon & Cornwall Police, the latter having equipped the aircraft for Homeland Security and Special Forces missions. The EC145 is also under delivery to the U.S. Army for its Light Utility Helicopter requirement.

This illustrious group of highly demanding customers – and from now on Eurocopter is proud to add the DHMI to them – is taking the EC145 through its paces, with missions ranging from mountain rescue, special forces engagements, EMS (Emergency Medical Service) and Intensive Care transport missions, up to a landing on Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc, at 4,807 meters (15,770 ft) altitude.

Source and photo: EADS