Rotorcraft
Eurocopter advocates green ratings
Eurocopter is proposing CO2 and noise ratings to make the environmental performance of its helicopters–and those of its competitors–visible at a glance.

Eurocopter is proposing CO2 and noise ratings to make the environmental performance of its helicopters–and those of its competitors–visible at a glance. The letters A through E could replace the current “x pounds of CO2 per hour” or “y EPNdB.” In a number of countries, electric household appliances can be compared using such a rating system for energy consumption.

Presenting noise data is quite straightforward because ICAO already has standards for takeoff, flight and approach phases. “We just created categories using the letter A through E,” Jean-Michel Billig, Eurocopter’s executive v-p of research and development, told AIN. An A rating signifies that the noise level is 4 to 6 EPN dB below ICAO’s current standards.

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