Eurocopter EC 225 Certified for Icing Conditions

The European Aviation Safety Agency in late August certified the Eurocopter EC 225 twin-turbine helicopter for unrestricted operations in icing conditions. To be able to fly in such conditions, the 11-ton, $17 million helicopter is fitted with an optional duplex-architecture protection system. The five main rotor blades are deiced cyclically by mats heated by metal resistors. With this system, the blades can be folded manually, Eurocopter explained. On the four-blade tail rotor, the anti-icing system operates continuously. Each blade incorporates four anti-icing carbon resistors. Total system weight is 412 pounds.