Since the late 1980s,the American Eurocopter “A-Star” has been the tour helicopter of choice for professional tour operations worldwide. In Hawaii it is the industry standard – favored by all the top helicopter tour companies for its open cabin design that affords a 180º sweeping view for each passenger.
This feature has been further enhanced in the revolutionary new American Eurocopter “ECO-Star” – the first touring helicopter of the 21st Century. But that’s just the beginning. Passenger comfort, interior space, and engineering have all been raised to state-of-the-art levels. Maui Helicopters is the first helicopter tour company in the world to introduce the incredible new ECO-Star, plus we continue to proudly fly our superb fleet of A-Stars.
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ECO-Star’s 23% increase in cabin space over the A-Star affords significantly
greater personal space for guests, along with improved visibility. All A-Stars
use bench seating for every passenger.• ECO-Star features superior comfort; individual seats for every passenger afford the kind of shoulder room and personal space found in airline "business class" seating.
• ECO-Star features raised rear seating and wrap-around glass cockpit, for greater visibility from every seat.
• ECO-Star has a $1.8 million price tag – 80% more than a standard A-Star.
• ECO-Star: First helicopter specifically designed for touring.
• ECO-Star: high-tech, enclosed "fenestron," or "fan in fin," replaces A-Star’s conventional tail rotor. Fenestron is: Safer, Quieter and More efficient – using 25% less engine horsepower, which can now be utilized by the main rotor system.
• ECO-Star’s state-of-the-art fuel control automatically optimizes main rotor speed for quietest operations and instant power response. Achieved with a "Full Authority Digital Electronic Control" (FADEC), utilizing a primary electronic channel with one electronic backup channel and a third hydro-mechanical backup control.
• ECO-Star’s engine uses latest "Grown Crystal" technology for turbine blades – increasing power, heat tolerance and fuel efficiency. This, along with the FADEC, is the same technology used in state-of-the-art airline engines such those on the leading-edge Boeing 777.
• ECO-Star features dual hydraulic systems.