Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin Helicopters for Sale — The Medium Twin Benchmark
The Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin and its successor the EC365 (now designated H155) occupy a distinctive position at the top of the medium-light twin-engine helicopter market — a position earned through decades of service in some of the most demanding roles helicopter aviation demands. Coast guard search and rescue operations, offshore oil platform crew transfer, presidential VIP transport, law enforcement with advanced sensor suites, and high-capacity air ambulance service have all relied on the Dauphin's combination of twin-engine reliability, fenestron tail rotor safety, spacious cabin, and the speed advantage that its turbine installation provides in a reasonably compact airframe.
The Fenestron Difference
The AS365 Dauphin introduced the fenestron — a shrouded tail rotor operating inside a ducted housing integrated into the tail fin — as a standard feature on a production helicopter. The fenestron delivers three critical advantages over conventional exposed tail rotors: significantly reduced noise footprint (the shroud breaks up the blade vortex noise that makes conventional tail rotors loud); substantially improved safety because the enclosed design eliminates the risk of personnel or objects striking an exposed rotor blade; and better yaw control authority in crosswinds because the shroud acts as an aerodynamic surface in addition to the rotor thrust. These advantages explain why the fenestron appears on the EC135, EC145, and H160 — it is that significant an advancement.
Key AS365 Variants
- AS365N — Established the modern Dauphin configuration with twin Turbomeca Arriel 1C engines and fenestron tail rotor.
- AS365N2 — Arriel 1C2 engines, higher gross weight, and improved systems reliability. The most commonly traded Dauphin on the pre-owned market.
- AS365N3 — Arriel 2C engines with FADEC, further improved performance and the highest-specification piston-era Dauphin variant.
- EC155 B/B1 — Substantially enlarged and redesigned Dauphin successor with wider cabin, Arriel 2C2 engines, and modern avionics. The premium current-generation Dauphin family member.
Offshore and SAR Excellence
The Dauphin's record in offshore oil and gas and search and rescue operations is remarkable. US Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphins — the American military designation for the Dauphin — have performed thousands of SAR missions across all US coastal regions. Offshore operators including Bristow, PHI, and Era have operated Dauphins in the Gulf of Mexico for decades. The Chinese Navy operates Z-9 Dauphin variants in naval patrol and utility roles. This operational breadth reflects a helicopter that performs consistently across every environment it encounters.
Find Your AS365 Dauphin on Airplane Trade
Browse Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin and EC155 helicopters for sale on Airplane Trade. Offshore-configured N2 examples, SAR-equipped variants, VIP-interior aircraft, and EMS-configured Dauphins from verified sellers worldwide. Connect directly with sellers who provide complete airworthiness documentation, component times, and engine program enrollment status.