The Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil ("Squirrel") is a single-engined light helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale (now part of Eurocopter Group). The AS350 is marketed in North America as the AStar. The AS355 Ecureuil 2 is a twin-engined variant, while the Eurocopter EC130 is a much-improved version of the AS350 airframe.
Development began in the early 1970s to replace the Alouette II, and the first flight took place on 27 June 1974.[1] Despite the introduction of the EC130, production of the Eurocopter AS350 remains strong.
Both single and twin-engined versions have been built under licence by Helibras in Brazil.
On May 14, 2005 a standard-configured Ecureuil AS350 B3 piloted by Eurocopter test pilot Didier Delsalle touched down on the top of Mt. Everest, at 8,850 meters (29,035 feet) .[2] This record has been confirmed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
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