The story
Airbus took the AS350 Écureuil, widened the cabin, added a Fenestron tail and built the EC130 for one job above all: showing people the view. Launch operator Blue Hawaiian flew it over Hawaii and the Grand Canyon, and tour fleets from Las Vegas to New York followed.
The EC130's Fenestron has unevenly spaced blades, which spreads the noise out and makes it far quieter than an open tail rotor.
Quick answers
How do you identify a H130 (EC130)?
Single-engine with Fenestron tail. Wide cabin with great visibility. The Grand Canyon tour helicopter.
What does a H130 (EC130) sound like?
Fenestron tail rotor — quiet for a touring helicopter. Wide cabin is acoustically pleasant.
How fast is the H130 (EC130)?
Top speed is 155 kts (VNE).
How many passengers does the H130 (EC130) carry?
Up to 7.
How far can the H130 (EC130) fly?
Range is about 327 nmi.
How big is the H130 (EC130)?
It is 41 ft 6 in long and 35 ft 1 in across the rotor.
When did the H130 (EC130) first fly?
Its first flight was in 1999.
How many H130 (EC130)s have been built?
About 1,000 built.
How rare is a H130 (EC130) in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first H130 (EC130) catch is worth 25 points.
