AS350 B2 – also marketed as the Airbus H125 and nicknamed the AStar (Écureuil or “Squirrel”) – is renowned for its power, versatility, and dependability. This single-engine light utility helicopter was originally designed in France (by Aérospatiale/Eurocopter, now Airbus Helicopters) and has evolved into a multi-mission workhorse used across the globe.
Highly adaptable to various mission profiles and climates, the AS350 B2 has proven itself in industries from energy and infrastructure to aerial tourism and public safety. In fact, over 7,200 helicopters of the AS350 Écureuil family have been delivered to more than 2,600 operators in 137 countries, accumulating more than 40 million flight hours worldwide. This widespread adoption underscores the helicopter’s exceptional utility and global versatility.
The AS350 B2’s design emphasizes rugged performance and operational flexibility, making it a popular choice for aerial work on every continent. Companies and agencies count on this model for missions ranging from routine patrols to extreme environmental operations.
Whether hovering low over city power lines or ferrying equipment to a remote mountain outpost, the AS350 B2 delivers reliable performance. It combines a high power-to-weight ratio with modern avionics and safety features, giving pilots the confidence to tackle challenging conditions – from tropical humidity to thin air at high altitudes.
Notably, the AS350 series holds the record for the highest-altitude landing (an AS350 B3 touched down on Mount Everest’s summit), a testament to the high-altitude capability built into this helicopter family.
Operational Versatility and Benefits
One of the key strengths of the AS350 B2 is its operational versatility – the helicopter can be rapidly reconfigured and equipped for different tasks, minimizing downtime between missions. The cabin’s layout is highly adaptable: seating for four to six passengers can be reconfigured or removed entirely, and large sliding doors on both sides allow easy loading of gear.
In some operations, an AS350 can switch from a passenger transport role to a utility cargo role in under an hour. Thanks to this quick changeover (less than 60 minutes for mission reconfiguration), operators can maximize utilization of the aircraft, handling multiple mission types in the same day with the same helicopter.
The airframe and rotor system of the AS350 B2 are engineered for performance and durability. It uses composite material rotors to reduce corrosion and maintenance needs, which is a big plus when operating in harsh or remote environments. The Starflex rotor head design contributes to a smooth ride with low vibration, improving comfort and reducing wear.
Pilots benefit from modern avionics (often including Garmin G500H displays and Airbus’s Vehicle & Engine Multifunction Display) that reduce workload and enhance safety. The helicopter’s controls are hydraulically assisted for easy maneuvering, yet remain operable even if hydraulics fail – a robust design aspect important for safety.
From an operational cost perspective, the AS350 B2 offers efficiency. As a single-engine helicopter with a high useful load, it provides a cost-effective alternative to larger twin-engine models for many utility tasks. It delivers the lift capacity and range required for aerial work, but with lower fuel and maintenance costs associated with its class.
The useful load is notably high – the B2 can carry an external load of over 1 ton (2,200 lbs) on its cargo hook while also accommodating up to 5 passengers plus a pilot when configured for transport. This means a single AS350 B2 can haul heavy equipment externally or ferry crews and supplies internally, as needed. Moreover, its maneuverability and responsive handling enable precise operations like hovering close to structures or navigating tight landings, which are critical in inspection and rescue scenarios.
Finally, the AS350 B2’s reputation for reliability is a significant benefit for operators. It’s a proven model with decades of service in the field, often flying in remote regions where maintenance support may be limited. The helicopter’s simplicity and the widespread availability of parts and technicians familiar with the type contribute to high readiness rates.
Airbus and its predecessors have continuously improved the safety of the AS350 over the years, incorporating features like crash-resistant fuel systems and optional autopilot/AFCS in newer variants. All these factors – flexibility, performance, lift capacity, and reliability – combine to make the AS350 B2 a top choice for utility service providers and corporate fleet operators looking for a do-it-all aerial platform.
Infrastructure Inspections
One of the most common uses of the AS350 B2 is aerial infrastructure inspection. Utility companies and infrastructure operators deploy these helicopters to quickly survey assets such as power lines, telecom towers, wind turbines, pipelines, bridges, and railways for damage or wear.
Using the AS350 B2 for airborne inspections offers a dramatic efficiency boost: a helicopter can visually inspect hundreds of miles of infrastructure in a day, far outpacing ground crews. Equipped with high-resolution cameras, gyro-stabilized binoculars, or even thermal imaging sensors, an AS350 can hover or circle closely around a structure to capture detailed views of components that are difficult to access otherwise (for example, the tops of transmission towers or the underside of bridge spans).
Real-world operations underscore this capability. For instance, Visimind, a European utility inspection company, can cover up to 400 kilometers of power lines in a single day using manned helicopters like the AS350, gathering data with ultra-dense LiDAR scanners, high-res cameras, and advanced thermal sensors.
In these missions, the helicopter serves as a stable platform for a suite of instruments, allowing inspectors to detect issues such as overheating components, lightning strike damage, corrosion, or vegetation encroachment on lines. Compared to manual inspections, aerial inspection by helicopter is not only faster but often safer – technicians avoid climbing tall structures, and the aircraft’s vantage point can reveal problems invisible from ground level.
The AS350 B2 is particularly well-suited to infrastructure work because of its excellent visibility and maneuverability. The bubble-style windows and open cabin design give pilots and observers a wide field of view. They can position the helicopter in close proximity to towers or along pipelines at low altitude, even in complex terrain. Meanwhile, the B2’s precise handling and ability to maintain a steady hover are crucial for capturing clear imagery.
Many AS350s used in infrastructure patrol are fitted with mission equipment like forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras for thermal inspection, spotlights, loudspeakers, and laser rangefinders, depending on the task. This adaptable equipment fit means the same helicopter inspecting a power grid one day could be examining wind turbine blades or surveying a railroad the next, simply by swapping sensors and mission crew.
Aerial Surveying and Mapping
Beyond inspecting man-made structures, the AS350 B2 shines in aerial surveying, mapping, and photography roles. Its steadiness in flight and ability to fly low and slow make it ideal for collecting geospatial data. Survey companies and environmental agencies often use AS350s to carry LiDAR scanners, aerial mapping cameras, and other scientific sensors over landscapes to create high-precision maps or 3D models of terrain. The helicopter’s payload capacity allows it to carry bulky survey equipment (sometimes externally mounted) along with specialized operators on board.
In practice, an AS350 B2 can systematically scan large swaths of land – whether for topographic mapping, forestry monitoring, wildlife surveys, or geology exploration. For example, an AS350 equipped as a “flying laboratory” was delivered to a Slovakian engineering firm (VUJE) with eight different sensors on board to simultaneously collect data.
This comprehensive sensor suite included a Riegl VUX-1 LiDAR unit for mapping power lines and pipelines, a hyperspectral camera for vegetation analysis, and high-definition video cameras. With one helicopter sortie, the team could gather multi-layered data about the environment and infrastructure below – effectively doing in hours what might take weeks with ground teams.
The advanced sensor architecture, integrated by Airborne Technologies on that AS350, even allowed one operator to manage all eight sensors via an onboard console. This example shows how survey helicopters like the AS350 B2 can drastically improve efficiency and reduce crew workload in complex data collection missions.
Government agencies also utilize AS350s for tasks such as mapping flood plains, surveying wildlife populations, and monitoring environmental changes. The helicopter’s ability to fly at low altitude and hover gives it an advantage in capturing fine details – for instance, detecting subtle changes in riverbanks or spotting individual animals.
In aerial photography and cinematography, the AS350 is a favored platform as well, often used for its stability and open-door flying capability to get clear shots. From creating 3D digital models of cities to counting migratory herds in remote savannas, the AS350 B2’s blend of endurance, lift, and agility has made it a go-to solution in the aerial surveying realm. Its global use in surveying ranges from mapping dense urban infrastructure to scanning the Amazon rainforest canopy – a true indicator of its versatility.
Powerline and Pipeline Patrol
Perhaps no helicopter is more emblematic of powerline and pipeline patrol worldwide than the AS350 series. The AS350 B2’s size, agility, and operational economy make it extremely popular for routine patrols of lengthy linear infrastructure.
Electric utilities employ AS350s to fly along high-voltage transmission lines, checking for faults like cracked insulators, sagging lines, or encroaching trees. Likewise, oil and gas companies use them to inspect pipelines for leaks, unauthorized activities near the right-of-way, or other anomalies.
These patrols are often the first line of defense in preventing outages or spills, and the helicopter’s speed means issues can be spotted and addressed before they escalate.
The AS350 B2 is ideal for this role because it can efficiently cruise at relatively low altitude and moderate speed for extended periods, offering an optimal vantage. A patrol helicopter might fly 50–120 meters above the lines at speeds up to 140 km/h, covering a vast distance each day.
Even at these speeds, modern sensor systems on the AS350 can capture precise data – for example, high-resolution video and thermal imagery that reveal hotspots or mechanical issues on the line. The success of such operations often “lies in [an] agile fleet of helicopters, including models like … Eurocopter AS350…” which allows companies to tailor inspection solutions to their needs.
In other words, the AS350’s agility and performance enable comprehensive yet rapid inspections, even in challenging conditions like wind or mountainous terrain.
A notable case study in powerline patrol is the earlier-mentioned Slovakian “flying laboratory” AS350.
In that project, Airborne Technologies outfitted a B2 with multiple externally mounted sensors specifically for high-voltage line inspection and pipeline monitoring. It included a Trakka infrared camera to spot faults on live power lines and a laser scanner to precisely map the pipeline route and detect issues like ground movement or vegetation overgrowth.
The helicopter allows a single two-person crew (pilot and operator) to accomplish these tasks simultaneously, which “sets new standards in economic efficiency” according to the operator’s feedback. By enabling one helicopter to do the work of what used to require multiple aircraft or passes, the AS350 B2 demonstrates how it adds value in utility patrol operations.
In Pipeline security, helicopters like the AS350 also play a preventive role. They can spot third-party interference or construction near pipelines that could lead to damage. Some patrol AS350s carry drop-markers or communication systems to guide repair teams to exact sites immediately when a problem is observed.
The helicopter’s ability to hover gives patrol personnel the chance to take a closer look or even use loudspeakers to warn people on the ground if necessary. By combining speed, technology, and maneuverability, the AS350 B2 has become a critical tool for keeping the lights on and the oil flowing – literally serving as the eyes in the sky for power and pipeline infrastructure.
External Cargo Lifts and Utility Transport
When it comes to lifting and moving cargo by air, the AS350 B2 punches above its weight. It is frequently used for external load operations – carrying equipment, materials, or even humanitarian supplies slung beneath the helicopter on a cargo hook. With an external lift capacity of over 1,000 kg (more than 1 metric ton), the AS350 B2 can haul items like HVAC units, poles, construction materials, fuel drums, or water tanks to locations that are inaccessible by road.
This capability is invaluable in industries such as construction, mining, forestry, and disaster relief. For example, in mountainous or remote areas, an AS350 might be tasked with flying generators to a hilltop telecom tower, delivering seismic sensors to a geological research camp, or resupplying an isolated drilling platform with tools and parts.
Despite being a light single-engine helicopter, the AS350 B2’s cargo performance is impressive. It has a maximum takeoff weight around 2,250 kg (4,960 lbs) internally, which increases to about 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) when carrying an external load. This means operators can take advantage of the full lifting power of the engine by off-loading weight from the cabin to the hook.
Many AS350s are fitted with cargo hooks and long lines as optional equipment (often installed or removed as needed). In the hands of skilled pilots, these helicopters can precisely drop materials into confined sites – for instance, placing a utility pole between tree canopies or lowering bags of concrete to a bridge repair team. The AS350 B2’s responsiveness and stability in hover are key factors that allow such delicate placements.
The military and emergency sectors have also leveraged the B2’s lift capabilities in more ad-hoc roles. In disaster response, AS350s have delivered relief cargo and even evacuated people using harnesses or rescue baskets. They have been known to carry water buckets for aerial firefighting during initial attack on wildfires, dousing hot spots in areas where larger water bombers aren’t available or can’t maneuver.
In high-altitude alpine regions, AS350 B2s support mountaineering expeditions by ferrying supplies between camps – a role where their high-hot performance is literally life-saving. (As mentioned, the AS350 family’s B3 variant famously landed on Everest, demonstrating the design’s extreme altitude potential.)
What makes the AS350 B2 particularly attractive for cargo and utility missions is not only its lift power but also the ease of deployment and cost-efficiency. It can operate from makeshift forward bases and helipads close to the job site, requiring minimal infrastructure. Its single-engine simplicity means lower operating costs per hour compared to many twin-engine heavy lift helicopters, making it economical for routine jobs.
Operators often describe the B2 as an “excellent utility helicopter” that is well suited for all missions requiring various types of equipment, thanks to its high useful load and flexibility. With a short reconfiguration time, a B2 might spend the morning hauling cargo on a long-line and, after a quick change, the afternoon transporting a work crew or performing an aerial survey. Few aircraft in its class offer this level of multi-role efficiency.
Global Reach and Real-World Examples
The AS350 B2’s versatility is reflected in its global footprint. From the mountains of the Himalayas to the plains of Africa, from the cities of North America to the islands of the Pacific, you’ll find AS350s hard at work. Its presence in diverse sectors – energy, telecommunications, mining, forestry, emergency services, tourism, and more – highlights how one helicopter model can adapt to the needs of virtually any region or client.
For instance, in North America, many law enforcement agencies use the AStar (H125) for aerial patrol and surveillance, capitalizing on its fast response and ability to carry police observers with specialized gear. In Europe and Asia, it’s common to see AS350 B2s contracted for wind farm maintenance flights, where technicians are shuttled to offshore or hilltop turbines. In Africa and Australia, the AS350’s ruggedness serves well in wildlife management and geological surveys, flying over vast game reserves or rugged outback terrain with equal ease.
Such widespread use is backed by strong manufacturer support. Airbus Helicopters (and previously Eurocopter) has ensured a global maintenance and parts network, which means B2 operators in remote areas can still get critical spares and support when needed. This global support structure further enhances the helicopter’s appeal to corporate and utility clients operating in multiple countries or harsh environments. They know that the AS350 B2 has a proven track record and that help is never too far away to keep their aircraft flying.
Companies that are considering adding a utility helicopter to their fleet, the AS350 B2 represents a low-risk, high-reward choice. It’s a platform with decades of proven results, yet it continues to be upgraded and supported into the future.
The helicopter’s multi-mission capability means it can generate revenue (or operational value) in many different ways – a valuable trait for corporate owners and leasing firms who want maximum utilization. Whether the task is routine (like aerial inspection and patrol) or extraordinary (like emergency response or special projects), the AS350 B2 has shown time and again that it can get the job done efficiently.
If you’re interested in harnessing this versatile helicopter for your own operations, head over to AS350 B2 Helicopter Leasing for more information on specifications, availability, and how they can be configured to meet your needs.
By leasing an AS350 B2, utility service providers and corporate flight departments can access its capabilities without the long-term commitment of ownership – a flexible solution to boost aerial capabilities when and where they’re needed.
