EC-135 Eurocopter Luxury Helicopter

The gold standard in luxury helicopters this year is the Hermes EC135 Eurocopter. The new aircraft is the result of a partnership between the folks at Eurocopter and the design and luxury goods firm House of Hermes. The EC135 sits at the perfect balance point between elegance and safety.

Before its luxury iteration, the EC 135 was primarily a police and medical transportation craft. It has two engines, that safeguard against the possibility of a crash during engine failure. With an overall height of 11 feet, and a cabin spacious enough to seat four in the cabin — in addition to the two pilots — the the EC-135 is not the typical cramped-quarters helicopter experience. Its average cruising speed runs at around 158 mph, and it climbs at about 1,500 feet per minute, which is about as fast as any copter could climb, and is likely much faster than a leisure flight or business meeting will necessitate.

The EC 135 Hermes comes fully equipped with everything the high-net-worth commuter needs to feel comfortable and at home while traveling well above sea level. Famed designer Gabriele Pezzini was brought in to bring a little style and flare to the cabin.

The process of transforming the EC135 into a luxury craft was, however, by no means easy. Due to the immense volume of regulations surrounding helicopter engineering and design, Pezzini had to work closely with a crew of engineers to find a solid middle ground for many of his proposed alterations. After much deliberation, 50 modifications were approved as feasible and appropriate. These modifications included changes to the landing gear, the door handles and the interior panels. The interior panels now sport the characteristic "toile h" canvas design employed by House of Hermes on high-end luggage and other products. Space within the cabin was also rearranged to maximize breathability and comfort for passengers. The seats — for both the pilot and the passengers — are covered in calf’s leather, and fabrics were used to dampen sound in the cabin.

Those looking for more of an executive flight industry standard might also be interested in the Sikorsky S-76C++. The Sikorsky S-76 has a long history of excellence, and has been steadily improving its track record of safety and customer satisfaction with every new model.

In the helicopter industry, safety takes first priority. Sikorsky has gone through great pains to make sure its clients are as safe in their helicopters as they are on their feet. The four-beam flexbeam tail rotor ensures a steady, even ride at winds of up to 35 knots, and with the new Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) in place, Sikorsky can safely say that it has employed all of the industries finest technologies to guarantee the safety of its customers.

The S-76C++ also offers a host of customizable features to ensure its clients get precisely what they are looking for from their aircraft. There are a great variety of fabrics, colors and amenities from which customers can choose for each individual craft, and optional features include worktables, satellite phones, flight progress displays and refinement cabinets. Several different seating arrangements are also possible, and customers can choose whether they would like their cabins equipped for either five, six, seven or eight individuals.

The market for luxury helicopters is exclusive and finite. They are very rare and expensive products to design and produce, and as few as one or two of any given model might be sold in a year. And of this elite group, the EC-135 and Sikorsky S-76C++ are far ahead of the pack.