Eurocopter Super Puma
The
Eurocopter Super Puma (originally built by
Aérospatiale) is a
helicopter marketed for civil and military use. It is an enlarged and re-engined version of the original
Aérospatiale Puma and first flew on
September 13 1978.
The type has proved immensely successful, chosen by 37 military forces around the world, and some 1,000 civil operators. The Super Puma has proved especially well-suited to the North Sea oil industry, where it is used to ferry personnel and equipment to and from oil platforms. In civilian configuration it can seat approximately 18 passengers and two crew. The world's largest civilian fleet (48) of Super Puma helicopters is operated by
CHC Helicopter Corporation. Other operators include:
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Government Flying Service -
Hong KongA wide variety of specialised military variants are in use, including dedicated
SAR and
ASW versions. Since
1990, military Super Pumas have been marketed as the
Cougar.
General characteristics
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2006 List Price: US$15,500,000 (AS332 L2 Super Puma)
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Crew: two pilots
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Capacity: up to 24 passengers
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Length: 16.29 m (53 ft 5 in)
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Main rotor diameter: 15.6 m (51 ft 2 in)
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Height: 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in)
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Main rotor area: 191 m² (2,056 ft²)
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Empty: 4,460 kg (9,812 lb)
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Loaded: kg ( lb)
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Maximum takeoff: 8,600 kg (18,940 lb)
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Powerplant: 2x
Turboméca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines, 1,357 kW (1,819 shp) each
Performance
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Maximum speed: 278 km/h (174 mph)
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Range: 831 km (519 miles)
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Service ceiling: 7,200 m (19,750 ft)
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Rate of climb: 492 m/min (1,614 ft/min)
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Main rotor loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
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Power/Mass: kW/kg ( hp/lb)
Related development:Comparable aircraft:Designation sequence:AS 330 -
AS 331 -
AS 332 -