Eurocopter today unveiled a collaboration with fashion house Hermés.
The first fruit of this relationship is a new corporate version of the EC135, known as l’Hélicoptère par Hermès.
Recognizing the need for a “disruption to the classic EC135 philosophy”, Markus Steinke, vice-president EC135/635 programs, said that Eurocopter chose a partner with the same values, but from a different discipline and with a different perspective.
The resulting helicopter has a striking, if minimalist, exterior paint scheme, designed to accentuate the aircraft’s lines, and to emphasize the large windows, with a flowing ribbon running from nose to tail.
The interior is spacious and restful, and makes extensive use of hand-crafted calf leather and Toile H, a signature Hermés fabric whose origins as a covering for fire hoses give it durability.
The cabin is now divided into three distinct zones, consisting of the cockpit, the passenger cabin and the baggage compartment. The cockpit is as luxuriously appointed as the cabin, with similar leather seats and trim, and with the same “rectangular” styling cues that emphasize the cabin width.
The cabin is separated from the cockpit by Perspex screens, one of which slides down to allow communication with the crew. It has two rear-facing seats, with a cabinet between them that can contain a cooled minibar and glasses, and two forward-facing seats facing them.
The luggage space, accessed via the usual EC135 clamshell doors, incorporates a shelf for hats or lightweight items, while the lower section can accommodate a pair of golf bags, for example.
Many of the changes to l’Hélicoptère are literally superficial, from the new color scheme, to the crafted interior and fittings, which are designed to give an impression of greater space, while avoiding any changes that would complicate the certification process.
The biggest exception is the redesigned landing gear, designed to accentuate the aircraft’s looks and to ease access to the cabin.
The new aircraft will be finished at the EADS Donauwörth plant, where the company expects to complete one aircraft every two months. The new luxury interior is refined and comfortable, but also standardized, with no scope for customization. There will be only a limited number of color scheme and internal color options.
L’Hélicoptère will be offered with all of the usual EC135 avionics and engine options, and similar conversions of other Eurocopter models may later be offered.
Source: Flight Daily News
