Helicopter Spotlight: Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota

An Aircraft That People Just Can't Get Enough Of

The Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota is truly a feat of engineering. The usual high quality standard of Eurocopter is more than upheld in this model. The typical demands that you'd expect from a dual engine aircraft of this size are maneuverability and power, and it's got a lot of both.

This aircraft was designed to be deployed for today's multi-mission environment. It can reliably provide general support across the full range of what you would need from a light utility helicopter, but is also ideally suited for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), recovery of personnel and air-land operations such as eye in the sky, personnel transport or tactical support for counter-narcotics missions.

While the current version of the UH-72 Lakota is currently primarily used for homeland security operations, combat-ready versions are being explored. Namely, they are being evaluated for armed aerial scout programs.

According to test pilot Grady Wilson, you can easily take the UH-72 Lakota up to 10,000 feet, cut one of the engines and still climb 500 feet per minute. That's power. That's reliability. The aircraft is certified to 18,000 feet and has a huge amount of power to support it.

The versatility of the helicopter makes it a dynamic aircraft to fly.

This kind of performance usually comes at a premium, but the Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota is the cheapest military helicopter to buy and operate. All of the above features are what made the Lakota ideal for the National Guard's Security & Support Battalion. But there are even more features that make it ideal for all kinds of missions.

EO/IR sensors and cameras allow for what seems like great tracking from distances that allow the aircraft to remain unnoticed. This seriously high tech helicopter offers a sophisticated touch screen data display at each sitting station. The helicopter has full GPS and mapping technology, while in flight recorders allow operators the choice to record flights for intelligence gathering, training, or maybe just because you love to look at awesome helicopter footage. If that is the case (and we don't blame you if it is), then you'll be able to watch that footage and access flight data from the ground thanks to the Lakota's data downlink system.

There's other cool stuff, like a powerful hoist that can unspool 300 feet of cable to offer difficult rescue extractions, and the hoist has a sturdy maximum capacity of 600 pounds.

If you're chasing bad guys or doing something else that is the crazy mixture of serious and fun that we get to do for a living, you can use a programmable searchlight that slaves to the sensor, allowing you to track targets automatically.

Performance. Capability. Affordability.

From everyday applications like border security to one off events such as disaster relief, the versatility of the UH-72 Lakota makes this helicopter ideal. The price makes it essential. If you needed further convincing, it might be nice to note that the chopper is American made. The factory in Mississippi is comprised of about 50% US military veterans.

Jealous Yet?

We are. I know it sounds like Eurocopter probably paid us to say all this awesome stuff about the Lakota. They didn't. We're just big fans. But if you look at what we've written, it's really just a list of all the cool stuff this helicopter does. And yeah, we wish that we could get in the cockpit. It's a military helicopter. 

But, well, actually it turns out that it is based on the Eurocopter EC145. Oh, we didn't mention that? Yeah, so it might not be all that tough for regular pilots to get at least a taste of what it's like to fly that. Granted, the Lakota is a militarized version of the EC145, but you'll get a good feel for the mechanics of the thing.

The EC145 is actually used for pretty much the civilian versions of all the above tasks: passenger transport, it makes a great corporate helicopter, emergency medical services (ems), search and rescue and more. Its higher weight load and greater range make it a functionally versatile.

OK, so, we don't have one of these things at Upper Limit Aviation, but we do have a Eurocopter AS350. If you recall, it's the AS350 that made the climb up Everest. It's a pretty amazing ride, if we do say so ourselves, and our students are extremely lucky to have the chance to train in a helicopter that's one of the aircraft that sets the industry-wide standard for excellence.

If you have Eurocopter fever like we do, then call Upper Limit Aviation at 1-855-HELIEDU and let's get you flying!

There's never been a better time to get involved. But let's face it, if you read this far, you're already sold. If you want to be able to fly these amazing aircraft for a living, the best way to start out is to get amazing training. We honestly feel that we're your best bet to get a great start.