Preferred 350/130

Dynamic Component · October 5, 2003

Which of the above aircraft do you prefer?

Never flown the B3, so would like some input.Don't mind the look of the 130, but dont like the fact that the VEMD buttons are still on the right hand side and it is a left hand drive machine.

Dynamic Component · October 6, 2003

No Comments????? :oops:

Dynamic Component · October 9, 2003

So I Guese there are only 4 of us on this forum that have flown AS 350s/EC130s? ???

HeliMark · October 10, 2003

There all good ships, but what are you planning to do with the ship? Makes a big difference on which model.

msterry · November 8, 2003

I too am very interested in the comparisons!

Which would you prefer in the corporate/charter mission profiles? Low altitude, people mover.

How does baggage space compare on each? Larger than an EC120? 4 golf bags?

Normal cruise speed? Fuel flow? Fuel capacity/useful load?

Noise levels in and out?

Tailwinds,

Mick

Dynamic Component · November 10, 2003

Fuel consump. on the B2 is about 180ltrs/hr in normal ops.I don't have much time in the 130 but from what I can gather it's about 195-200 ltrs/hr for normal ops.B2 cruises at 120kts with full load at max cont. and B4 at about 128kts.Fenestrom on the B4 is awsome in croswind/tailwind conditions compared to B2.Can't comment on B3 cause never flown one. :cool:

msterry · November 10, 2003

D.C.,

Thanks for relating your experiences and perceptions on the two ships.

I am posting a link to a web story that also relates some comparisons.

AT Special Reports

Tailwinds,

Mick

EAGLE1 · December 18, 2003

As a people mover you can't beat the extra seat in the 130. I am not all that thrilled with the "pregnat guppy" look though.

Wally · October 5, 2004

I'm going by the experiences related to me- for EMS, a B2 beats a B4 hands down in our AO. The B4's (130) heavier, slower, and burns more fuel- which means shorter legs. The fenestron and dual direct drive (no rubber bands) hydraulics are pluses, and the cabin is nice. But it's not a dual patient aircraft, so even when the weight's available, it's wasted, and I wouldn't even guess as to the CG with 2 patients...

I've not flown a real BA, but I'm told it's a close second to the B2 and beats the B4- except when we're in the Smokies in the summer.

Someday, a variation of the 130 will be the S/E EMS helo to beat. Not now.

troops23 · February 19, 2005

Have only flown a 350D, but I know that the B3 is in high demand. Loved the D, so I can only imagine what the B3 is like. Not a huge fan of the 130, too fish like !

RTRNV · May 27, 2005

I know its not there but what about a 355 vs a 135?

212NUT · May 28, 2005

Dont know anything about the 130,but the 350 is as versatile as they come especially the B2/B3

And considering the fact that a 350-B3 just landed on top of mount Everest twice!(29050') just shows that it is a true altitude performer as well

MikeRotor · July 14, 2005

Hello all I fly a B3 firefighting with a 2024 bambibucket and its great up to 5000 ft with a 75% of fuel and 15ºC... The 130 looks funny but i think that it is only to make tourist tours...

ecdoc · August 24, 2005

I have an EC130 in a corporated configuration and love it. We had all the bells and whistles, including the cargo swing, added during the build. Dual Garmins, with an MX20 map, TCAS, EGPWS, RadAlt, XM radio, Bose headsets also were added.

The ship is perfect for our mission, although it could use some more power when at gross weight. It flies well, is roomy and certainly is a show stopper on any ramp. However, it is much slower than the B3. For us, it isn't a big deal. But for an operator trying to match the performance numbers of the B3 with a couple of extra revenue-generating seats onboard, it won't happen.

Hard to say what the operating costs will be for the aircraft. It should be fairly close to what the factory is claiming, with the difference being the added cost for the constantly increasing price of JET A. Oh, well.

Good luck