Editing Eurocopter EC120 Colibri (section)

==Design==
[[File:Eurocopter EC-120B Colibri AN1535581.jpg|thumb|The cockpit of an EC120 B Colibri]]
The EC120B Colibri is a single-engine multimission helicopter, designed for safe, simple, and cost-effective operations. It incorporates several of Eurocopter's trademarked technologies, those of prominence are the three-bladed Speriflex main rotor head and the eight-bladed [[fenestron]] anti-torque tail rotor;<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%200541.html "P.120 Programme take shape."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208051621/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%200541.html |date=8 December 2015 }} ''Flight International'', 6 March 1990.</ref> these have been partially credited with contributing to the rotorcraft's noise signature, which is 6.7 [[decibel]]s below [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO) limits.<ref name="air handy">[http://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/docs_wsw/RUB_26/tile_2581/EC120_B-BR-0114E.pdf "EC120 B: Everything you need in One Handy Little Package."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911201359/http://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/docs_wsw/RUB_26/tile_2581/EC120_B-BR-0114E.pdf |date=11 September 2015 }} ''Airbus Helicopters'', 2014.</ref> 

Airbus Helicopters has claimed that the EC120 B possesses the lowest operating cost in its class. As of 2014, the EC120 has the distinction of being the only single-engine rotorcraft to be certified to JAR/FAR 27 standards; measures incorporated to meet these standards include an energy-attenuating main structure, energy-absorbent seats for all on board, and a crash-resistant fuel system.<ref name = "air handy"/><ref name = "air tech"/>

The aircraft features a wide, [[ergonomic]] cabin with high levels of external visibility, which can accommodate a single pilot along with four passengers in typical passenger configuration.<ref name = "air handy"/> The design of the cabin is suitable for a wide variety of civilian and parapublic missions, such as utility transport, offshore transport, training, law enforcement, [[Air Ambulance|casualty evacuation]] and corporate transport. In the casualty evacuation role, the rotorcraft can carry one pilot and one stretcher patient as well as one or two medical attendants.<ref name = "air handy"/>

In a cargo-carrying capacity, the EC120 can carry one pilot plus {{convert|2.94|m3|abbr=on}} of total useful load volume spread between the cabin and the {{convert|0.8|m3|abbr=on}} hold, which is externally accessible from the right-hand side and to the rear, as well as from the cabin in some configurations. To ease cargo operations, the cabin floor is flat and unobstructed; alternatively, a cargo sling can be installed to carry cargo of up to {{convert|700|kg|sigfig=3|abbr=on}}.<ref name = "air handy"/>

[[File:N175SC tail (EC120).jpg|thumb|A view of the EC120B's tailboom and fenestron anti-torque tail fan]]
According to Airbus Helicopters, the EC120B integrates a high level of advanced technology to make the rotorcraft easier and safer to fly, as well as to reduce costs. A particular emphasis was placed on allowing end-customers to perform as much of the maintenance tasks themselves.<ref name = "air handy"/> The primary instrument panel is the twin-screen vehicle and engine multifunction display (VEMD) which provides control and monitoring of various aspects of the rotorcraft, such as the fenestron tail rotor and key engine parameters; the VEMD decreases overall pilot workload for greater safety.<ref name = "air handy"/> In a baseline configuration, [[flight control]]s are installed only on the right-hand side, dual controls or left-hand only flight controls can be optionally installed.<ref name="air tech">[http://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/docs_wsw/RUB_26/tile_2581/120_B_15.100.pdf "EC120 B: Technical Data 2015."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911201313/http://www.airbushelicopters.com/website/docs_wsw/RUB_26/tile_2581/120_B_15.100.pdf |date=11 September 2015 }} ''Airbus Helicopters'', 2015.</ref> Third parties have offered their own avionics suites for the EC120, adding functionality such as an [[autopilot]].<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/regourd-offers-advanced-suite-in-entry-level-ec120-colibri-204444/ "Regourd offers advanced suite in entry-level EC120 Colibri."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208050311/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/regourd-offers-advanced-suite-in-entry-level-ec120-colibri-204444/ |date=8 December 2015 }} ''Flight International'', 31 January 2006.</ref><ref>Learmount, David. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/light-helicopters-set-for-autopilots-209998/ "Light helicopters set for autopilots."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208062835/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/light-helicopters-set-for-autopilots-209998/ |date=8 December 2015 }} ''Flight International'', 17 October 2006.</ref>

In addition to various civil roles, the EC120 has also been used by several military operators to conduct training, observation and light utility missions. Airbus Helicopter has promoted the type in a training capacity due to features such as positive control response, performance computation systems, modern instrumentation for ease of use, overall compact size, and a high level of cabin visibility.<ref name = "air handy"/> 

A wide range of optional equipment can be installed upon the EC120 B, this includes a [[wire strike protection system]], [[air conditioning]], sand filter, skis, windshield wipers, electrical external mirrors, a cargo sling, emergency flotation gear, [[forward looking infrared]] (FLIR) cameras, and external [[Searchlight|spotlights]].<ref name = "air handy"/> For corporate customers, the EC120 can be equipped with a ''Stylence'' interior, offering a luxurious interior with leather [[upholstery]], in-flight office and [[telecommunication]]s facilities, along with reduced noise and vibration levels via additional insulation.<ref>Peaford, Alan. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ebace-eurocopter-keen-to-demonstrate-value-of-helic-371758/ "EBACE: Eurocopter keen to demonstrate value of helicopter role."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208075056/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ebace-eurocopter-keen-to-demonstrate-value-of-helic-371758/ |date=8 December 2015 }} ''Flight International'', 15 May 2012.</ref>