Helicopters
Airbus AS355 Ecureuil 2
A light twin-engine helicopter for up to five passengers, certified for IFR with one or two pilots, with three luggage holds.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Specifications checked against manufacturer and type certificate data · Last updated 14 September 2026
At a glance
Airbus AS355 Ecureuil 2 specifications
Figures are representative of the type; individual aircraft vary with configuration, load and conditions.
Where it fits
The twin-engine Ecureuil for island work
The AS355 NP Ecureuil 2, also known as the TwinStar, is the final version of the twin-engine Ecureuil. It flies on two Safran Arrius 1A1 turbines with FADEC and a main gearbox derived from the AS350 B3.
It is certified for Category A-equivalent operations and can take off at maximum weight in Category A from a helipad at up to 25 degrees C at sea level. After an engine failure it has two and a half minutes of maximum emergency power, and it is certified for IFR with one or two pilots.
EASA certified the NP in February 2007, after the earlier E, F, F1, F2 and N versions. Production is reported to have ended in 2016.
Parties of more than five, or trips with a lot of luggage: the three holds total about 33 cubic feet. For seven seats the H130 (single engine) or the A109C (twin) is the better tool.
Missions
What the desk books it for
Island transfers with a second engine
Athens or Mykonos to the Cyclades on two engines, for clients who want twin-engine redundancy over open water.
Athens to Rhodes and Corfu
Athens to Rhodes is 218 NM and Athens to Corfu 214 NM, inside the 395 NM published range. That figure carries no reserve, so the desk plans fuel, wind and weather before it quotes.
Days when the weather is marginal
Certified for IFR, so a low cloud base does not automatically ground the trip. The desk confirms the IFR fit and the pilot's approvals for the specific aircraft.
Cross-border hops
Mykonos to Bodrum at 111 NM and Mykonos to Porto Cheli at 105 NM, with the paperwork for Turkey filed alongside the trip.
Where it flies
Routes the desk flies on the AS355
Sectors from our Athens and Mykonos route guides that sit inside the AS355's published range. Each opens to the airports at both ends and what to know before you fly; the desk confirms the fuel plan and landing sites for the specific aircraft.
Cabin and baggage
Forward-facing seats, wide doors and three holds
The cabin is wide and unobstructed, with all seats facing forward and wide doors with boarding steps. Eurocopter lists one pilot and five passengers as standard, four in the STYLENCE corporate layout and six in high density.
Luggage goes in three external holds totalling 32.88 cubic feet, with limits of 120 kg on the left, 100 kg on the right and 80 kg at the rear under the type certificate.
Tell the desk the bag count and rough weights when you enquire. With five aboard, the holds fill before the seats do, and that decides whether the trip stays on an AS355 or moves to a larger helicopter.
Performance and airports
Two engines, IFR and landing sites
Eurocopter data gives a fast cruise of 120 knots at 2,600 kg and a recommended cruise of 117 knots. The published range of 395 NM is flown at that recommended speed with no reserve, and the never-exceed speed is 150 knots.
On Greek island and Riviera transfers the sectors are short and often over water, where the second engine matters. Certified for IFR, it lets the desk plan weather minima for the specific aircraft and pilot rather than waiting for a clear day.
Villa lawns, hotel pads and private sites each need approval before a helicopter can land there. The desk checks the landing site, the pilot's approvals and the forecast for the specific AS355 before a quote goes out.
Compare the class
AS355 against the other helicopters
How the AS355 lines up against the other helicopters we cover. The H130 and A109C seat more, and the H135 cruises faster as a newer twin; the AS355's case is two engines, IFR certification and the longest published range in our set, quoted without reserve.
| Aircraft | Passengers | Range | Cruise | Engines | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo A109C | Up to 7 | n/a | n/a | Twin turbine | 150 kg |
| Airbus H130 | Up to 7 | 327 NM | 128 kts | Single turbine | 39 cu ft |
| Bell 407 | Up to 6 | 337 NM | 133 kts | Single turbine | 16 cu ft |
| Airbus AS350 Ecureuil | Up to 5 | 340 NM | 136 kts | Single turbine | 35 cu ft |
| Airbus H135 | Up to 6 | 342 NM | 136 kts | Twin turbine | None |
| Robinson R44 | Up to 3 | 350 NM | 109 kts | Single piston | Under-seat only |
| Robinson R66 | Up to 4 | 350 NM | 110 kts | Single turbine | 18 cu ft |
| Airbus H120 | Up to 4 | 383 NM | 120 kts | Single turbine | 28 cu ft |
| Airbus AS355 Ecureuil 2This aircraft | Up to 5 | 395 NM | 120 kts | Twin turbine | 33 cu ft |
Chartering with Icarus Jet
How we charter the AS355
We source AS355s from operators vetted and approved for passenger transport, and the operator's name is on the quote. The desk checks the pilot's approvals, the landing sites at both ends and the weather minima for the flight before it checks availability, so the aircraft offered is one that genuinely fits the trip.
Quotes are all-in and itemised: aircraft and pilot, positioning, landing and handling, fuel and taxes, with nothing added after the flight that was not on the page. The number depends on where the nearest suitable helicopter is based, the dates and the landing sites, which is why we price your actual trip rather than publish a rate.
Questions
AS355 questions the desk gets
How far can an AS355 fly?
Eurocopter data gives 395 NM for the AS355 NP at the recommended cruise, at 2,600 kg on a standard day at sea level, with no reserve. Real flights keep a reserve, so the usable figure is lower. It still covers sectors such as Athens to Rhodes at 218 NM.
How many passengers does an AS355 carry?
Five in the standard layout, four in the STYLENCE corporate layout and six in high density. The desk confirms the layout of the specific aircraft before it quotes.
What is the seating like?
All seats face forward in a wide, unobstructed cabin, and the wide doors have boarding steps. Everyone faces the direction of travel, which suits short transfers and sightseeing.
How much luggage fits in an AS355?
Three external holds total 32.88 cubic feet, with limits of 120 kg, 100 kg and 80 kg. Tell the desk the bag count early so weight and space are planned before the aircraft is offered.
What happens if an engine fails?
The AS355 NP has two and a half minutes of maximum emergency power after an engine failure, and it is certified for Category A-equivalent operations. That twin-engine redundancy is why clients ask for it on over-water transfers.
Can an AS355 fly in cloud?
Yes. It is certified for IFR with one or two pilots. The desk confirms the equipment and the pilot's IFR approvals for the specific aircraft before it quotes.
What is the difference between the AS355 and the AS350?
The AS355 is the twin-engine Ecureuil, and the NP version borrows its main gearbox from the AS350 B3. The AS350 flies on one engine, VFR only, and cruises faster at 136 knots.
Related
Around the AS355
Get your number
Charter the AS355
Send the route, the dates and the passengers. The desk checks range and baggage against the trip, then comes back with the aircraft that genuinely fit and an itemised quote.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203. The desk is staffed 24/7.
Comparing aircraft? Browse the Aircraft Guides in the Aviation Library, 600+ guides on chartering and operations.