Airbus Helicopters Ec120b Colibri

Single Rotorcraft

The Airbus Helicopters EC120B Colibri is a five-seat single-engine light utility helicopter that entered service in 1997 as a collaborative design between Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters), China's CATIC, and Singapore Technologies Aerospace. The name "Colibri" (French for hummingbird) reflects the type's agility and versatility in roles ranging from emergency medical services and law enforcement to corporate transport and flight training. Powered by a single Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engine producing 504 shaft horsepower, the EC120B features a distinctive Fenestron shrouded tail rotor that reduces noise and improves safety around ground personnel, making it particularly popular for urban operations. The Colibri's design emphasizes ease of maintenance and pilot-friendly handling characteristics, with a spacious cabin that offers better visibility than many competitors in its class. Its maximum cruise speed of approximately 120 knots and range of around 400 nautical miles position it as a capable light helicopter for both short-hop utility missions and longer cross-country flights. The type has found favor with police departments, air ambulance operators, and helicopter flight schools worldwide, with over 700 units delivered across more than 60 countries. Its relatively low operating costs and benign flight characteristics have made it a staple in the light helicopter market for nearly three decades. SkyMeter has tracked 116 flights across 64 airframes and 23 operators, with Phoenix Heli-Flight Inc. the largest observed operator.