The helicopter division of French aircraft manufacturer Aerospatiale produced this large twin-engine turbine helicopter. Aerospatiale was formed in the early 1970s by combining most of the French government-owned aerospace companies, including Sud Aviation, which had been responsible for helicopter design and production. In the 1990s, the helicopter division of Aerospatiale was merged with the German MBB helicopter company to form Eurocopter. Today, Eurocopter is a division of EADS, a multinational European aerospace giant.
The AS332L1 was derived from the AS332L by increasing engine power. In all other respects the two helicopters are the same. The AS332L in turn was derived from the original AS/SA 330J Puma and its successor, the AS332C Super Puma—by adding power, increasing takeoff gross weight and stretching the fuselage. The AS332L1 Super Puma, is a 20- to 24-place, twin-engine turbine helicopter that is characterized by a large rectangular cabin, with a flat floor. The cabin uses three-across airline seating in commercial utility applications. The aircraft is one of the mainstays of the North Sea offshore oil support fleet. It is also in use with numerous armed forces throughout the world and is popular as a VIP transport for heads of state. This is also one of the first helicopters that can be fitted with anti-icing equipment for the main and tail rotors. The drivetrain of the AS332L1 uses two Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines and a four-bladed, fully articulated, rotor with composite rotor blades.
The AS332L1 was developed in the early 1970s. The first flight was in 1977 and certification was obtained in 1987.
Eurocopter introduced the AS332L1e at the annual HAI Heli-Expo in 2011. Performance capabilities have not changed from the previous version but the AS332L1e now benefits from the EC225 avionics suite.
The AS332 aircraft was rebranded as the H215 in 2014.
The H215 C1 is 2.45 feet shorter and the basic operating weight is 313 pounds lighter than the H215 L1. Performance is identical.
