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> 1978-1984

> 1987-1991
The great adventure (Part II)


Part II remembers a period marked with major technological advances and the launch of new generation helicopters, as subsidiaries laid the foundation stones of the company’s international presence.



1978

March 1 > Helibras established.

April 25 > Puma receives world’s first airworthiness certificate for unlimited flight in icing conditions.



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1980

February 1 > Super Puma consolidates success with the maiden flight of the AS332 C Super Puma (short version).

February 8 > AS365 N Dauphin beats the world record on a fixed itinerary – Paris-London with passengers – at a speed of 321.91 km/h, a record which still stands today.

October 10 > Maiden flight of the AS332 L Super Puma (long version) developed to meet growing demand from the oil market.




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1979

June 13 > Maiden flight of the BK117, a joint project developed by MBB (rotors, tail boom, hydraulic system, flight controls, and horizontal stabilizer) and Kawasaki (landing gear, fuselage, and drive systems).

October 3 > Maiden flight of the twin engine AS355 E Ecureuil, also known as the Ecureuil 2 or Twinstar in the US, where 100 models were ordered right after its launch.



1982

Helicopter Aerospatiale Mexico SA established, to be renamed Eurocopter de Mexico in 1992.

1983

June > 1,000th delivery of the Ecureuil, a resounding success right through to the present day.
Lansav established, subsidiary of MBB to be renamed Eurocopter Southern Africa Ltd in 1994.


1984

May > FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) awards airworthiness certificate to the AS332 Super Puma for flight in icing conditions without restrictions.
MBB Canada Helicopter Ltd established, to become Eurocopter Canada Limited in 1992.



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