Eurocopter Invests in New Cabin Designs

Anticipating a recovery in business and executive helicopter sales, Eurocopter has begun investing in new cabin designs.

According to Patrice Royer, head of business and private aviation sales, the best-selling models in that segment are the EC130 light single, EC145 light twin and EC155 medium twin. Royer figures the additional cost of a business or executive cabin accounts for approximately 10 to 15 percent of the final price.

The EC145T2, a major upgrade of the original EC145, will be marketed as a business aircraft and should be available for delivery from the first half of 2014. The Mercedes-Benz high-end interior initially offered for the EC145 will also be available in the EC145T2.

The EC175 medium twin is still in development but is also already being pitched to the executive and business markets, and according to Royer it will seat 10 passengers “very comfortably.”