The Eurocopter AS350 AStar is the aircraft
of choice for gyro-stablized ball mount shooting among
aerial cinematographers, news videographers and camera
ship pilots alike. The AS350 AStar has the power to handle
external loads in "hot and high" conditions
and still maintain adequate maximum airspeed. Constructed
using composite materials this aircraft provides a smooth,
vibrationless shooting platform ensuring highly stable
ball mount photography at extremely long focal lengths,
a crucial consideration for background plates and/or
undercranked shots. Along with the increase in performance
capability comes a larger cabin, providing substantially
more room for door mount work, a particularly welcomed
attribute when using these mounts for larger format filming
systems such as IMAX™. Like all aircraft there
are many versions leading to the current model such as:
AS350 D, AS350 BA, AS350 B2 SuperStar (pictured) and
the recently introduced AS350 B3. Europcopter also markets
the AStar as the Ecureuil in other worldwide markets
and military versions are known as the Fennec.
AStar Specifications
For
general reference only.
The following specifications are for
the EUROCOPTER AS350 ASTAR. They do
not consider the altered weight-and-balance
characteristics or resulting restrictions
on inflight performance with installed
camera mounting systems.
Main
rotor diameter:
35.1
ft
(10.7 m)
Length
overall:
42.45
ft
(12.9 m)
Cabin
doors:
3.75
ft (1.1 m) H
3.6 ft (1.09 m) W
Empty weight:
2,561
lbs
(1,162 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight:
4,960
lbs
(2,250 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight
(w/ external load):
5,512
lbs
(2,480 kg)
Never Exceed Speed-VNE1:
155
kts/178 mph
(287 kmh)
Maximum
cruise speed:
133
kts/153 mph
(246 kmh)
Service ceiling:
15,100
ft
(4,602 m)
Hover ceiling - HIGE2:
9,850
ft
(3,002 m)
Hover Ceiling-
HOGE3:
7,550
ft
(2,301 m)
Standard range:
360
nm
(667 km)
Vertical rate of climb:
1,670
fpm
Powerplant:
1
Turboméca Arriel 1B
Maximum Takeoff Power:
732
shp4
1 VNE-Velocity
Never to Exceed 2 HIGE-Hover In Ground Effect 3 HOGE-Hover Outside Ground Effect 4 SHP-Shaft Horsepower
Important
Considerations
Although an extremely smooth and stable
platform for gyro-stabilized ball mount shooting,
hover shots with door mounts require careful
finesse from a camera ship pilot with experience
or "time in type" with this aircraft.
It is possible in certain situations to have
aircraft yaw translated to the lens axis
of the mount leading to unwanted tilt motions
that are magnified with increased focal length.
With the newest version of the AStar,
the AS350 B3, hitting the market globally,
verify certification for mount installation
with the mount's vendor and the aerial coordinator.
Most external mounts will require an aircraft
equipped with standard or high skid gear
to avoid clearance problems with the system's
mounting bracketry and hardware. Verify this
configuration with the FBO providing the
aircraft in the event they are normally unaccustomed
to aerial filming.
