EC120 B

EC120 B
Everything you need
rolled into a handy
little package

The EC120 B, also known as the Colibri (Hummingbird), is a

1.6-ton, single-engine aircraft designed for multi-mission flexibility.
It features the latest-generation technologies for simple, safe,
cost-efficient operation and easy maintenance. It has a
powerful Turbomeca Arrius 2F engine, renowned for low fuel
consumption, and a state-of-the-art ergonomic cockpit with
digital flat-screen Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display
(VEMD).
Its bearingless rotor head, all-composite blades and shrouded
Fenestron tail rotor reduce the noise level to 6.6 dB below ICAO
limits, making it by far the quietest helicopter in its class.
It can comfortably carry up to 4 passengers plus pilot in crash-resistant
energy attenuating seats. The extra-wide cabin, generous visibility and
large storage space make the EC120 B ideal for a variety of civilian and
parapublic missions, such as light utility transport, offshore transport,
training, law enforcement, casualty evacuation and corporate transport.

VEMD® is the Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display.

Oil and Gas transport
is a plus
With its spacious cabin, unparalleled visibility and large compartment for baggage or cargo, the EC 120 B is perfectly
suited for transporting passengers to and from oil rigs and from rig to rig. Its air-conditioned system, low vibration and noise
level assure passenger comfort even on long rides.
When passenger The simple design of this state-of-the-

comfort is a plus art machine allows fast, easy and rapid

maintenance, ensuring the aircraft has

The EC 120 B's new-generation optimal dispatch availability.

technologies-- such as the digital

VEMD, shrouded Fenestron tail rotor The EC120 B’s low fuel consumption

and bearingless Spheriflex main also contributes considerably

rotorhead-- allow flying safely, to its low operating cost.

efficiently and quietly. With its high

cruise speed, the EC 120 B enables
operators to make rapid turn around
flights and carry more passengers in
less time.
Corporate Transport
In its corporate configuration, the EC 120 B provides spaciousness and comfort not usually found in a light helicopter.
Four passengers plus pilot can travel at their ease in the extra-wide, unobstructed cabin with excellent visibility.
In addition to the exceptionally low noise and vibration level, passengers will appreciate the ample leg room under
air-conditioned environment. Even long trips are a pleasure in the EC 120 B.
Outstanding This user-friendly helicopter is easy to fly.

comfort at an The simple design offers easy

affordable price maintenance.

From the aforementioned qualities and

This new-generation helicopter benefits customers’ positive feedbacks, EC 120

from the latest technologies – quiet becomes the best light helicopter with

Fenestron tail rotor, vibration-free the lowest operating cost in its class.

Spheriflex main rotor head, and digital

flat-screen VEMD – which provide
optimal operational efficiency and
safety. Corporate passengers fly in
reduced noise and better comfort. For leisure trips, there is plenty of
The quiet EC 120 B is particularly storage space for passengers'
adapted to flying over urban areas. baggage—up to five large suitcases.
The baggage hold is easily accessible
both from the rear and left-hand side.
The EC 120 B is available in the
exclusive Stylence version, specially
designed for corporate needs.

Stylence® interior
Law Enforcement
The EC120 B is the perfect helicopter for Law Enforcement. With its low weight and powerful engine, it can carry a great
variety of police equipment: FLIR cameras, spotlight, hailers, etc. Thanks to its extremely low noise level, it is particularly
adapted to urban surveillance ranging from traffic control to collecting evidence and tracking vehicles.
The police had named their EC 120 “our eyes in the sky” which contributed to their ground safety.
It offers unmatched visibility and a wide unobstructed cabin for police observers and equipment. Its outstanding comfort
makes it the ideal machine for long-duration flights at cost effectiveness.
The bad guys And with its high maneuverability and
Mission Capabilities
don't stand dispatch reliability, the EC120 B can
• Surveillance
a chance respond at a moment’s notice.
• Crowd control
Thanks to the integration of the latest
• Anti-terrorist operations
ts high endurance capability technologies such as the newest
• Fire fighting support
and unmatched quiet technology generation Fenestron® tail rotor,
• Drug enforcement and
(6.6 dB under ICAO limits) make Spheriflex® main rotor and VEMD®
detection
it the perfect surveillance platform monitoring system, the EC120 B
• Aerial support to ground
for police operations. has proven itself to be the safest,
operations
The low vibration level enables most efficient aircraft in its class for
• Border patrol
the installation of all types of police performing law enforcement missions.

equipment and avionics necessary

for accomplishing the mission.

Police equipment available

within EC Network
• Search light,
• FLIR installation,
• Integrated hailers,
• Wire strike system,
• Customized instrument panel,
• Police radios.

Environmental surveillance
Training
The EC120 B is perfectly adapted for both initial and recurrent pilot training due to its small size, reduced operating cost,
easy piloting capabilities, simple design and large cabin visibility. It is equipped with the most advanced technologies and
enhanced energy attenuating systems (seats, main structure, fuel tanks compartment), which enhances instructors to
perform training missions in optimal safety conditions.
Simplicity The modern instrumentation is ideal for
Easy handling for trainees
without pilots who are training on the EC120 B,
• Dual controls, twist-grip
compromise but will also be flying other helicopters
with similar ergonomic design. This will throttle, rotor brake

help the trainee to be highly familiar • Positive control response

The EC120 B is certified for both left
with other high-tech helicopters. • First limitation indicator
and right seat piloting. The pilot and
And because the EC120 B’s simple (T4, Torque, engine RPM)
co-pilot stations have exactly the same
maintenance and low fuel consumption • Performance computation
controls, enabling the instructor to take
mean lower operating costs, overall (HOGE, HIGE)
control of the helicopter whenever
training costs are lower as well. • Endurance calculation (optional)
necessary.

The sophisticated VEMD® monitoring

system ensures that the pilot only has
to focus on his primary task.
Utilityis a plus
The EC120 B is everything that the worldwide customer has expected from Eurocopter dependable, efficient, quiet,
comfortable and safe. But is has another singular advantage: it fits your mission as if it were made for it, because it was
designed with adaptability in mind.
The EC120 B's very simplicity is the key to its versatility. Its wide body can be configured, and easily be reconfigured, with
a considerable list of optional equipment for a variety of utility missions.
They can be ranged from sling load operations to police surveillance, to electronic news gathering, etc.
Power line inspections

Unparalleled The wide cabin and the large baggage

Easy handling for trainees
Mission compartment (3m³ / 103 cu. ft.) can
• Dual controls, twist-grip
Flexibility accommodate a variety of cargo and
bulky loads. The flat unobstructed floor throttle, rotor brake

makes loading and unloading effortless. • Positive control response

This helicopter offers state-of-the-art
The ease of maintenance and low fuel • First limitation indicator
integrated technology which helps the
consumption give the EC120 B the (T4, Torque, engine RPM)
pilot to focus only on the mission at
lowest operating costs in its class. • Performance computation
hand. The exceptional visibility, great
(HOGE, HIGE)
maneuverability and stability coupled
• Endurance calculation (optional)
with the VEMD® considerably reduce
the workload, while enhancing safety.

Optional equipment
• Cargo sling
• Electrical external mirror,
• Windshield wipers,
• Skis,
• Wire strike protection system,
• Sand prevention system.

Surveillance over national parks or nature reserves

Maintenance
Eurocopter Research & Development based on the experience of the Customer Service engineers and the feedback of
customers when it designed the EC120 B. Better access to all mechanical components, which in turn led to a marked
decrease in direct maintenance costs, lower maintenance man-hours and therefore a considerable drop in operating costs.
So easy you can Operational Maintenance tooling
do it yourself Maintenance • No test bench required
• Reconditioning through part • Limited number of tools for

The EC120 B has been designed exchange or modules offered to scheduled maintenance.

with a full “Integrated Logistic Support” operators for every system including
process: support activities have been transmission (MGB, TGB, freewheel,
taken into account during the design gears…).
and development phase.
• Low maintenance cost: simple and Scheduled
easy to maintain maintenance*
• Maximum availability: maximum of Upon operator’s choice, these
maintenance tasks possible by the maintenance tasks may be performed:
operator blocked whole inspection or distributed
• Convenient customer service network inspection.
• Innovative maintenance with the full Limited only to 4 types of inspections
integrated services (SatisFly® Service) (forecast man-hour confirmed by
experience)
- 100 FH or 12 months
- 500 FH or 24 months
- 1500 FH or 72 months
- 12 years
(To be confirmed by experience)
No major overhaul

* Excluding engine and

potential corrective maintenance
Support and Services

Support as
individual
as you are

At Eurocopter, our continually improving • A worldwide service network of 16

support has one goal: to get your subsidiaries, complemented by more
aircraft back into the air quickly and than 100 distributors, representatives,
cost effectively. We are particularly training centers, repair and overhaul
concerned with responding to your own facilities and maintenance centers.
unique business needs. In addition to
our classic repair and overhaul • Troubleshooting /fine-tuning
services, we have developed a variety • Optional equipment installation
of innovative tailor-made service • On-the-job training
packages. By choosing the package • Inspections and consulting
that fits your needs, you get a full • Maintenance
spectrum of services at a fixed price.
You may enjoy its on-going availability
and top performance from your
helicopter or fleet, on a predictable
budget.

In worldwide location you can always

find a certified Eurocopter expertise
nearby and available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week, at either our or your
facilities. Our field technicians are
equipped with the latest diagnostic
technology to provide on-site repairs
and to offer a wide range of services:
Technology
The EC120 B integrates more advanced technologies than any other light single-engine helicopter in the world. These advances
help make it easier to fly, safer and more cost-effective. While the technology is advanced, the EC120 B is designed for simplicity
and user friendly operation. Because the designers had made a very simplified aircraft keeping in mind the cost reduction, the
pilot can perform serviceability checks himself between scheduled inspections. The EC120 B is the first single-engine helicopter
to meet the requirements of the new JAR 27 safety regulations (structurally energy attenuating fuel system, pilot and passenger
seats). The aircraft also has dual controls, twist-grip throttle, rotor brake, VEMD which indicates the first limitation indicator for
torque, engine RPM and temperature of the aircraft performance to use in normal operation and flight training.
Next generation
technology, today
Ergonomic and state-of the-art instrument panel including the VEMD® for the
New generation of Fenestron®
management and control of the main vehicle and engine parameters.
tail rotor:
• low noise level
• high ground clearance High performance Articulated Spheriflex®-type rotor head
• no servo controls (low costs) composite rotor blades • ease of maintenance
• Safety on ground and in flight • no corrosion • no lubrication
• high resistance to damage • no bearing
• high life limit • high reliability

Energy absorbing seats

New generation of TURBOMECA Arrius

2F engine.
• powerful: 504 shp (376 kW)
• simple: 2 modules
• proven design
• low fuel consumption
• crashworthy fuel system.
Characteristics
It's not the size, it's what you do with it
The EC120 B's high endurance contributes to its excellent hovering capabilities, making it an ideal platform for surveillance
operations. Its extended range makes it a good choice for a variety of passenger transport missions.
The ergonomic cockpit with digital flat-screen Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) substantially reduce the
pilots workload and enhance safety.
The EC120 B's outstanding characteristics are the cumulative result of 50 years experience in designing, manufacturing
and supporting light single-engine helicopters.

CAPACITY
Passenger transport 1 pilot + 4 passengers
2 pilots + 3 passengers
Casualty evacuation 1 pilot + 1 stretcher patient + 1 doctor
WEIGHTS
Maximum take-off weight 1,715 kg 3,781 lb
Maximum take-off weight with external load 1,800 kg 3,968 lb
Empty weight, standard configuration 965 kg 2,127 lb
Useful load, standard configuration 750 kg 1,653 lb
Maximum cargo-swing load 700 kg 1,543 lb
Standard fuel capacity 321 kg 708 lb
POWER PLANT 1 TURBOMECA ARRIUS 2F turbine engine
Take-off power 376 kW 504 shp
PERFORMANCE AT MAX. GROSS WEIGHT - (ISA CONDITION)
Maximum speed (Vne) 278 km/hr 150 kts
Fast cruise speed (at MCP) 223 km/hr 120 kts
Recommended cruise speed 204 km/hr 110 kts
Rate of climb at SL 5.84 m/sec 1,150 ft/min
Service ceiling 5,182 m 17,000 ft
Hover ceiling OGE at take-off power 2,316 m 7,600 ft
Maximum range without reserve at RCS 710 km 383 nm
Endurance without reserve at 100 km/hr-54 kts 4h20 mn
OPERATION LIMITATIONS
Maximum operating altitude 6,096 m 20,000 ft
Minimum temperature - 40°C - 40°F
Maximum temperature ISA + 35°C (+ 95°F) limited to + 50°C (+ 122°F)
The data set forth in this document is for information purposes only, and may vary with conditions.
For performance data and operating limitations, reference see approved flight manual and all appropriate documents. July 2004
EC 120B-F.01 09 -E. Photos: Alain Ernoult - Mike Reyno - Gérôme Deulin - Patrick Penna - Eurocopter®. Eurocopter reserves the right to make configuration and data changes at any time without notice.
The facts and figures contained in this document and expressed in good faith do not constitute any offer or contract with Eurocopter.