Sustainability and Environment
Airbus Helicopters Unveils Bluecopter Demonstrator
Based on EC135 light twin, eco-demonstrator helicopter explores single-engine operations for reduced fuel burn.
Airbus Helicopters unveiled its Bluecopter demonstrator on July 7 at the company’s facility in Donauwörth, Germany. The modified EC135 has been flying since April 2014 with a number of technologies targeting a smaller environmental footprint. (Photo: Thierry Dubois)
Airbus Helicopters unveiled its Bluecopter demonstrator on July 7 at the company’s facility in Donauwörth, Germany. The modified EC135 has been flying since April 2014 with a number of technologies targeting a smaller environmental footprint. (Photo: Thierry Dubois)

Airbus Helicopters unveiled the Bluecopter demonstrator on July 7 in Donauwörth, Germany. The modified EC135, which has been flying since April last year, incorporates a number of technologies intended to shrink a helicopter’s environmental footprint. Through changes in engine operation and airframe modifications, engineers hope to cut fuel burn by 35 to 40 percent compared with the current model and to take perceived noise levels 10 dB below ICAO standards.


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