heywhatsflying

Helicopters · Airbus Helicopters (originally Aerospatiale)

Airbus Helicopters H125 / AS350 Ecureuil (AStar) AS50

The Airbus H125, long known in North America as the AStar, is a single-engine turboshaft helicopter prized for high-altitude performance. It is one of the most widely used helicopters in the US.

AStar / H125s airborne over the US now

—

— of all airborne aircraftplus — on the ground

Live data loads with JavaScript and refreshes every 15 seconds.

    AStar / H125s in the air over the last 24 hours

    A chart of how many AStar / H125s are airborne through the day loads with JavaScript.

    Specifications

    ICAO code
    AS50
    First flight
    1974
    Typical cruise
    135 kt / 155 mph
    Service ceiling
    20,000 ft
    Range
    340 nm / 391 mi
    Capacity
    1 pilot and up to 6 passengers
    Length
    12.9 m / 42 ft
    Rotor diameter
    10.7 m / 35 ft

    Engines: 1 x Safran Arriel turboshaft. Family: Ecureuil. Figures are typical published values, rounded; real performance depends on variant, weight and conditions.

    What it does in US skies

    H125s fly Grand Canyon and Hawaii tours, news and police missions, firefighting, utility work and medical transport. They are a common sight over almost every big US city.

    Main US operators: Tour operators, News stations, Police departments, Air medical operators, Utility and firefighting operators.

    How to recognize a AStar / H125

    • Three-blade main rotor and a conventional open tail rotor
    • Wide, rounded cabin with big windows
    • Skid landing gear
    • Single engine exhaust on top behind the rotor

    How it looks on a flight tracker

    Usually flies below 3,000 feet at 100 to 135 knots. News and police helicopters often circle one spot for long periods.

    History

    The AS350 first flew in June 1974. In 2005 an AS350 B3 landed on the summit of Mount Everest, and the type was renamed H125 in 2015.

    Where AStar / H125s are right now

    Open this view on airplanes.live →
    Loading the live map…

    Questions

    What is the ICAO code for the Airbus Helicopters H125 / AS350 Ecureuil (AStar)?

    The ICAO aircraft type designator for the Airbus Helicopters H125 / AS350 Ecureuil (AStar) is AS50. Flight trackers and flight plans use this four-character code.

    How fast does the AStar / H125 fly?

    The Airbus Helicopters H125 / AS350 Ecureuil (AStar) typically cruises at about 135 knots true airspeed (about 155 mph). Ground speed on a tracker varies with the wind.

    How high can the AStar / H125 fly?

    Its service ceiling is about 20,000 ft.