Story ID: 342
Airbus Delivers Perfect Fit AS350
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Canadian leasing company Southward Helicopters sees the AStar's versatility as a key selling point
Word Count: 119
Airbus Helicopters recently delivered an AS350B2 AStar to Canadian leasing company Southwind Helicopters. The seven-place rotorcraft, powered by a Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine, is capable of performing a wide variety of missions including passenger transport, aerial work, training, observation and law enforcement. The model delivered to the British Columbia-based Southwind was customized at the Airbus Helicopters Canada facility in Fort Erie, Ontario with optional equipment including a longline release and an enlarged floor window for monitoring sling operations. The company plans to lease the AStar for tourism, aerial delivery and forestry work. “The AS350B2 is a perfect fit for the multi-dimensional missions flown in the rugged terrain of British Columbia,” noted Southwind owner John Goats.