Product Comparison. 480B vs. Eurocopter EC120B

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1 Product Comparison 480B vs. Eurocopter EC120B

2 480B vs. Eurocopter EC120B Specifications Gross Weight = 2,800 lbs Gross Weight = 2,976 lbs Enstrom 480B Eurocopter EC120B Seats 1/4 or 2/1 1/4 or 2/3 Continuous Engine Power (To Drivetrain) 277 shp/206 kw 449 shp/335 kw Gross Weight 3000 lbs/1361 kg 3780 lbs/1715 kg Empty Weight (As Configured) 1770 lbs/803 kg 2116 lbs/960 kg Payload (As Configured) 1230 lbs/558 kg 1665 lbs/755 kg Cabin Width Maximum Cruise Speed 115 kts/213 kmh 127 kts/236 kmh Range (internal fuel) 360 nm/684 km 416 nm/771 km Maximum Takeoff Weight 3000 lbs/1361 kg 3780 lbs/1715 kg Service Ceiling ft 3962 m ft 6096 m Hover Ceiling IGE ft/3230 m ft/5151 m Hover Ceiling OGE ft/3048 m 7600 ft/2316 m Rate Of Climb 1600 fpm 8.1 m/s 1450 fpm 7.36 m/s Main Rotor Diameter 32 ft/9.8 m ft/10 m Number Of Rotor Blades 3 3 Standard fuel capacity 90 gal/341 lit gal/406 lit Vne 125 kts/232 km 150 kts/278 km

3 480B vs. Eurocopter EC120B Cockpit Comparison The 480B offers an easily reconfigurable seating arrangement that is unique to the industry. The controls are removable simply by pulling pins, and the seats can either be removed or folded up. The cabin can be configured with seating for up to five people, a medivac stretcher with an attendant, or a flat cargo floor. All this can be accomplished in only minutes, without the use of tools. Both the pilot and co-pilot s seats are fully adjustable, along with adjustable rudder pedals, making the 480B comfortable for pilots of any stature. This feature, along with a NASA developed seat foam, make the 480B comfortable to fly for extended periods of time, and reduce pilot fatigue. The extra wide cabin of the 480B creates ample shoulder and leg room for pilots and passengers alike. All occupants enjoy near unrestricted visibility as well. The EC120 does not have reconfigurable seating. Forward visibility for the rear seat occupants is limited. The 480B is typically configured for left-hand pilot in command (PIC), while the EC120 utilizes a right-hand PIC. Many operators prefer the left-hand PIC as it allows removal of the right seat and central collective for more passenger/cargo room, and less chance of fouling the controls. Left-hand PIC is also preferred for long line operations as it is easier for most pilots to lean over the collective and look down than lean away from it. Finally, when the optional litter kit is installed in the 480B, the inflight attendant has full access to both ends of the patient s body, and the pilot has full visibility of the patient throughout the flight. In the EC120, the litter slides through a tunnel in the back of the helicopter, limiting access and visibility of the patient. Esntrom 480B Litter Installation

4 480B vs. Eurocopter EC120B Performance and Flying Qualities Performance and flight characteristics are two of the most important issues when looking at any helicopter. Both the 480B and the EC120B have 3-bladed fully articulated rotor heads for quick response, but the big difference is in the direction of rotation for the main rotor system. Most of the western helicopter fleets utilize a counter-clockwise main rotor rotation, as does the Enstrom 480B. However, the Eurocopter EC120B has a main rotor system that rotates clockwise. This difference means that the correct pedal inputs will be opposite between the two aircraft. Therefore, when using the EC120B, considerable effort will need to be made to re-train the pilots for the opposite pedal input before transition to or from the existing fleet can be successfully completed. This situation would become especially significant in an emergency situation where taught reaction would be the key. In the flight performance category the 480B really excels. With it s derated engine, the 480B has plenty of power for hot, high, and heavy operations. The EC120 does not have a derated engine, and suffers from power degradation the moment the aircraft begins to climb. The general consensus is that the aircraft feels underpowered. On the other hand, 480B pilots rarely bump up against the torque limits, even in hot and high operations. This power difference really shows up at altitude. At gross weight on a standard day, the 480B has the power to perform HIGE at 12,300 ft, while the EC120 can only manage 9,250 ft. EC120B HIGE 480B HIGE

5 480B Mast and Internal Control System Enstrom is known for a unique dynamic control system which many times catches the attention of prospective buyers. Approaching the design with a clean sheet of paper, the original Enstrom designers decided to make an aircraft that had all the strength and durability that every helicopter owner would want, and a rotor control system that was protected from the environment as much as possible. Hence, the supremely successful internal control rod system of Enstrom was born. The first thing that people notice is that the typical swashplate and mechanical linkages are not directly under the rotor head of the helicopter. This, often times, leads to a false impression that the mast is somehow less stout, or that the Enstrom has a skinny mast. This perception comes about mainly because the mast isn t shrouded or blocked by external controls and swashplates. In reality the Enstrom mast is larger than most other helicopters it s size. For example, as seen from the photo to the rigth, the 480B mast is significantly larger than the Bell 206BIII mast. The manner in which the control system works actually necessitates a larger diameter rotor mast for the 480B. Three pitch control rods are connected to the swashplate below the transmission, and they run through the rotor mast up to the top of the rotor head where they connect to walking beams and pitch change links that control the pitch of the rotor blades. With this design, the swashplate and control rods are almost completely out of the elements and protected. Another side benefit of this design is that there are no mechanical linkages or plates that could be damaged due to debris from outside of the aircraft. Even kite string has been known to entangled with the outside control mechanical systems and bring down other aircraft. This isn t a problem on the 480B.

6 480B vs. Eurocopter EC120B Maintenance and Operating Costs Both the 480B and the EC120 are of similar size, but their operating costs are quite different. This is mainly due to the EC120 s larger engine which requires more fuel to operate. At the factory recommended cruise speeds (sea level) the EC120 will burn approximately 210 lbs/hour of fuel, while the 480B will only burn about 180 lbs/hr. This can add up to a tremendous savings over the life of the aircraft. Another contributing factor has to do with the 480B s lower maintenance requirements. The EC120 has 52 lifelimited parts (under 21,000 hours), while the 480B only has 9. Some of the life-limited parts on the EC120 are expensive major airframe items like tail rotor blades, which are due for replacement at 8500 hours. However, most of the 480B s airframe, including the tail rotor blades, is replaced on condition. Enstrom builds over 90% of the 480B in it s facility in Menominee, MI. This means that Enstrom has great control over its parts supply. Enstrom has a next day shipping rate of 89% on standard order parts, and an incredible 94% next day shipping for AOG parts. This level of support is among the best in the helicopter industry. Blades in production at the Enstrom facility 480B Replacement Main Rotor Blades Construction Aluminum Life Limit None EC120 Replacement Main Rotor Blades Construction Life Limit Composite 20,000 Hours