Eurocopter EC155 The Eurocopter EC155 is a long - range medium - lift passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter from the Dauphin family for civil aviation use . It is a twin - engined aircraft and can carry up to 13 passengers along with 1 or 2 crew , depending on customer configuration . The helicopter is marketed for passenger transport , offshore support , VIP corporate transport and casualty transport duties . Development . Originally designated AS365 N4 , the EC155 was developed from the Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin 2 with the aim of significantly increasing the cabin space of the Dauphin . Development began in September 1996 with the helicopter officially announced by Eurocopter at the Paris Air Show in June 1997 . The first EC155 helicopter , a modified Dauphin airframe , made its maiden flight at Marignane on 17 June 1997 and the first pre - production EC155 B flew on 11 March 1998 . The aircraft received safety certification by the French & German Civil Aviation Authorities on 11 December 1998 and went into production soon after , with a price tag of US $ 7 – 8 million depending on installed equipment . Deliveries of the EC155 B began in March 1999 , with the German Federal Police becoming the first operator . The EC155 B1 was developed with more powerful engines and has improved performance at high altitude and in hot temperature conditions . This derivative also features a higher maximum take - off weight ( 10 , 846 lb vs . 10 , 580 lb ) . Deliveries of this model began in November 2002 with the Hong Kong Government Flying Service becoming the first operator . Design . The EC155 B features a completely redesigned cabin providing 30 % more passenger space than previous Dauphin helicopter models , plus a 130 % increase in baggage hold volume . Other major improvements include a five - blade Spheriflex composite main rotor combined with the familiar shrouded Fenestron tail rotor to reduce vibration levels significantly . The EC155 B is powered by two 635 kW ( 851 shp ) Turbomeca Arriel 2C1 turboshaft engines mounted over the luggage hold , which feature a dual - channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control ( FADEC ) system . The EC155 B1 features uprated 697 kW ( 935 shp ) Arriel 2C2s . The helicopter can be fitted with an anti - icing system to enable the aircraft to operate in very cold climates . The all - glass cockpit is equipped with an ' Avionique Nouvelle ' integrated digital flight control system featuring Eurocopter ' s Vehicle and Engine Management Display ( VEMD ) , which utilizes active matrix liquid crystal displays . The EC155 is also equipped with a four - axis digital autopilot , coupled to the engine FADECs for full - envelope protection , and is offered with a Health and Usage Monitoring System ( HUMS ) . Eurocopter designed the EC155 originally with three configurations , however , another two configurations were added in 2005 . The Passenger Transport version can carry 12 passengers in comfort seats or 13 passengers in utility seats , along with 1 or 2 crew . The VIP or Corporate Transport version has a VIP lounge with working space accommodating up to 8 executives . The Casualty Transport version can carry 2 stretchered patients with up to 4 seated medical staff , or 4 patients on stretchers plus 2 seated medical staff . The configurations added in 2005 were for Offshore operation and Police & Parapublic missions ranging from patrol , airborne surveillance , SAR and EMS , the helicopter being fitted with specific mission equipment for these duties . Operators . The aircraft is operated by private individuals , companies and charter operators . It is also operated by the government organisations and as an offshore transport for the gas and oil industry . United States