Airbus H135 (EC135): size, weight and what it needs to land

Information only, not legal advice. The pilot in command has the final say on whether a landing is safe, and can decline a site on the day, even after it was agreed. Operators, insurers and the landowner may ask for more than anything described here. Check the official sources linked on this page.

A white helicopter with a black cabin on a concrete pad with yellow markings — An EC135 (the type now sold as the H135).

At a glance

7passengers (maximum figure)

2,910 kgmaximum take-off weight

10.2 mmain rotor diameter

twinengine layout

Airbus H135 (EC135) is made by Airbus Helicopters (Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH holds the EASA TC). Whether it is used on UK charter flights: Verify. The figures below are the manufacturer’s or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) type-certificate data; each is tagged verified on the cited document or Verify.

The figures

Item	Figure
Engines	2 x turboshaft (Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2/B3 or Safran Arrius 2B2 Plus depending on model) (EC135 T2+/P3/T3 etc.)
Passengers (maximum, not a typical charter layout)	7 (EC135 family)
Typical cruise speed	not confirmed Verify
Range	338 nm (H135)
Main rotor diameter	10.2 m (EC135 (Issue 21 sheet, latest section))
Overall length, rotors turning	not confirmed Verify
Overall height	3.35 m (EC135)
Maximum take-off weight	2910 kg (EC135 T2+/P3/T3 family (2,950 kg permitted under RFMS 9.1-5/6/7; Airbus H135 page quotes 2,980 kg, 3,100 kg alternate - differs from TCDS))

Item

Figure

Engines

2 x turboshaft (Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2/B3 or Safran Arrius 2B2 Plus depending on model) (EC135 T2+/P3/T3 etc.)

Passengers (maximum, not a typical charter layout)

7 (EC135 family)

Typical cruise speed

not confirmed Verify

Range

338 nm (H135)

Main rotor diameter

10.2 m (EC135 (Issue 21 sheet, latest section))

Overall length, rotors turning

not confirmed Verify

Overall height

3.35 m (EC135)

Maximum take-off weight

2910 kg (EC135 T2+/P3/T3 family (2,950 kg permitted under RFMS 9.1-5/6/7; Airbus H135 page quotes 2,980 kg, 3,100 kg alternate - differs from TCDS))

Figures vary by variant and weight option. Passenger numbers are a manufacturer or EASA maximum; VIP layouts carry fewer. Overall length with the rotors turning is the figure used to size a landing area and was found only for some types.

What this means for a private landing site

Landing area. UK guidance sizes landing areas by “D”, the helicopter’s largest dimension with the rotors turning. For this type D is at least the 10.2 m rotor diameter, and its overall length with rotors turning was not confirmed Verify. The CAA’s guide for pleasure-flying and feeder sites (CAP 2543, paragraphs 26 to 28) asks for a landing and take-off area at least 1.5D or 24 m wide and a touchdown circle at least 0.83D. Read in the source We did not confirm a minimum for other kinds of private site Verify; the operator and pilot decide.
Surface loading. The maximum take-off weight is 2,910 kg (EC135 T2+/P3/T3 family (2,950 kg permitted under RFMS 9.1-5/6/7; Airbus H135 page quotes 2,980 kg, 3,100 kg alternate - differs from TCDS)). The CAA hospital guide sets pad strength by the heaviest helicopter that will use it (CAP 1264, 3.1). See landing surfaces.
Downwash and noise. Fenestron tail rotor, 1.00 m, 10 blades (EASA TCDS); no noise statement read. EASA publishes a separate noise TCDS (R.009) but its values were not read. Verify Heavier helicopters move more air; keep the area clear of loose objects and people.
Building a pad. See the guide to building a helicopter pad at home for permission, rules and space.
Night. Night use depends on the site survey and lighting, not on the type alone. See night landings.

Single or twin. This is twin-engine. UK guidance says helicopters must use Performance Class 1 to operate in congested areas, and that single-engine helicopters under Part CAT cannot use congested-area sites (CAP 3043, 3.3). Read in the source

Sites in this guide that may be big enough

These airfields state a helicopter or visitor policy on their own websites and, in open data (OurAirports), have a runway at least 16 m long and wide (1.5 times the rotor diameter, which is the lowest the area could be). This is size only. It does not mean the airfield accepts this type: contact it first.

Dunsfold Aerodrome 1880 m runway
Tibenham Airfield 1600 m runway
Turweston Aerodrome 1256 m runway
Bedford Aerodrome 1095 m runway
Dunkeswell Airfield 968 m runway
Beccles Airfield 966 m runway
Easterton Glider Field 950 m runway
Isle of Wight/Sandown Airport 884 m runway

See also all heliports, airfields and venues. Heliport sizes are not in open data.

More helicopter types

Questions and answers

How many passengers does the Airbus H135 (EC135) carry?

The maximum figure we could verify is 7 (seats (1 cockpit + 6 cabin; 7 cabin with kit per TCDS). Airbus page: one or two pilots plus up to six passengers). A charter cabin usually has fewer seats.

How much space does a Airbus H135 (EC135) need to land?

It depends on the helicopter’s overall size with the rotors turning (the main rotor alone is 10.2 m across), the surface, the obstacles and the operator’s own rules. UK guidance for pleasure-flying and feeder sites asks for a landing and take-off area at least 1.5D wide. The pilot in command decides on the day.

Is the Airbus H135 (EC135) single or twin-engine?

It is twin-engine (2 x turboshaft (Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206B2/B3 or Safran Arrius 2B2 Plus depending on model)).

How heavy is a Airbus H135 (EC135)?

Maximum take-off weight is 2,910 kg (EC135 T2+/P3/T3 family (2,950 kg permitted under RFMS 9.1-5/6/7; Airbus H135 page quotes 2,980 kg, 3,100 kg alternate - differs from TCDS)), per EASA TCDS EASA.R.009 Issue 21 III.12.

Official sources

Where a line is tagged Verify we could not read the primary text, or the source does not state it. Treat it as unconfirmed until you have checked.