South Africa: Eurocopter Present at Aerospace Africa '98

Marignane, 24.04.1998

South Africa: Eurocopter Present at Aerospace Africa '98

World's leading helicopter manufacturer, the Franco-German Eurocopter group, and its subsidiary Eurocopter Southern Africa (pty) Ltd. are exhibiting at the Aerospace Africa '98 air show being held in Pretoria April 28-May 2, 1998.

On its large 100 sq.meter stand inside Hall 2, Eurocopter will be presenting an EC 635 full-size mock-up with various optionals and armament, and 1/10 scale mock-ups of the AS 532 SC Cougar Naval, EC 120 B Colibri (passenger transport) and EC 135 (police).

At Aerospace Africa '98, Eurocopter will specially focus on :

• Its latest light single engined helicopter, the EC 120 Colibri with the official commercial launching in Southern Africa.

• The quiet, fast, new generation light twin-engined helicopter, the EC135, well on its way to becoming the most successful helicopter of its class.

• The new military and paramilitary twin engined EC 635 Light Utility Helicopter,perfectly suited to meet all the South African Air Force requirements.

• The AS 532 SC Cougar, medium twin engined helicopter, as the right answer to fulfil the South African Navy mission's requirements.

The static display will include an EC 120 B Colibri, available for customer flights and a BO 105 CBS -Super Five-.

It will be recalled that E.S.A.L. is the Eurocopter subsidiary responsible in Souther Africa for marketing, sales and customer support for the whole civil and public-service range. Established in 1991, this subsidiary has benefited from substantial investments designed to enhance both its technical expertise and its ability to provide support for the entire range of Eurocopter helicopters.

It is important to stress that the South African air force currently operates 48 Puma, 9 BK117s, 76 Alouette 3, 6 Alouette 2 and one Dauphin. The Police uses 15 BO 105s, 2 BK 117s and 5 Alouette 3. The total civilian fleet comprises12 single-engine and 2 twin-engine Ecureuils, 3 BK 117s, 2 BO 105s, 5 Alouette 3s, 2 Gazelles and 2 Dauphins.

In other countries in the region (Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Namibia) Eurocopter machines now in service consist in all of 5 single-engine Ecureuils, 26 Alouette 3s, 2 BO 105s, 2 BK 117s, 3 twin-engine Ecureuils and 2 Cougars.

For further information, please contact :

Jean-Louis Espes (in France) Tel: (+33) (0)4 42 85 95 55 Fax: (+33) (0)4 42 85 95 64

Christina Gotzhein (in Germany) Tel: (+49 89) 6000 6488 Fax: (+49 89) 6000 4437