Airbus Helicopters As350 B3 / H125

Single Rotorcraft

The Airbus H125 (formerly Eurocopter AS350 B3) is a single-engine utility helicopter known for holding the absolute helicopter altitude record: in 2005, test pilot Didier Delsalle landed an AS350 B3 on the summit of Mount Everest at 29,029 feet, a feat unmatched by any other production rotorcraft. Developed from the earlier Écureuil family and introduced in the 1990s, the B3 variant features an uprated Arriel 2B turboshaft engine that delivers exceptional high-altitude performance, making it the workhorse of choice for mountain rescue, firefighting, utility work, and tourism operations in extreme environments from the Himalayas to the Andes. The H125's combination of a 5,511-pound maximum takeoff weight, spacious cabin accommodating up to six passengers, and solid single-engine reliability has made it one of the best-selling helicopters in its class worldwide. Its never-exceed speed of 155 knots and service ceiling above 23,000 feet allow operators to reach remote sites that challenge heavier twins, while its relatively simple maintenance requirements and proven Arriel powerplant keep operating costs manageable for commercial operators. The type remains in production today under the Airbus Helicopters brand, with over 6,000 AS350/H125 family aircraft delivered across all variants since the line's inception in the 1970s. SkyMeter has tracked 73 flights across 19 airframes and 11 operators, with 2080061 Ontario Inc. (SkyCare Air Ambulance) the largest observed operator.