Eurocopter
The Eurocopter Group is a global helicopter manufacturing and support company formed in 1992 from the merger of the helicopter divisions of French Aerospatiale and German DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA).
In 2001, Eurocopter's worldwide and American market share were 40% and 30% respectively.
The Eurocopter Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS.
Products
Eurocopter manufactures or has manufactured the following types of helicopters:
Civil
Military
On Eurocopter aircraft the main rotor turns clockwise when viewed from above, unlike most American rotorcraft. This requires the pilot to make pedal movements that are the opposite to those learnt if previous flying has been on an American aircraft.
Eurocopter also pioneered the use of the 'fenestron' - an enclosed tail-rotor, which is more efficient and safer than the exposed version. For a close-up of a fenestron of the helicopter above (the Eurocopter EC120B), click here
