Airbus Helicopters As365 Dauphin

Twin Turboshaft

The Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin is a twin-engine medium helicopter that became one of the most versatile rotorcraft in civil aviation when it entered service in 1975. Developed from the single-engine Alouette III, the Dauphin introduced a four-blade main rotor, retractable landing gear, and a distinctive fenestron shrouded tail rotor that became an Aerospatiale trademark. Its twin Turbomeca Arriel engines provide exceptional safety margins for operations over water and in challenging terrain, making it the helicopter of choice for offshore oil platforms in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The AS365 can cruise at 165 knots with a range exceeding 500 nautical miles, performance that opened new markets for helicopter emergency medical services and executive transport. The type gained international recognition when the U.S. Coast Guard selected a militarized variant as the HH-65 Dolphin for search and rescue missions, and it remains in frontline service today. Medical operators particularly value the Dauphin's spacious cabin, which accommodates two stretchers and full life-support equipment while maintaining single-pilot IFR capability. The AS365N3 variant, introduced in 1999 with more powerful engines and a higher gross weight, extended the type's operational envelope and kept it competitive against newer designs like the AgustaWestland AW139. SkyMeter has tracked 185 flights across 57 airframes and 6 operators, with PARKVIEW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER the largest observed operator.