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Foto: Mark Harkin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Airbus Helicopters

Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3

AS65
Heavy Turbine HelicopterDiscontinued1979–2010
Range
427 NM · 791 km
MTOW
4,300 kg
Cruise
145 kt · 269 km/h
Seats
12
up to 12 passengers
Used price
US$ 4.6M

The Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3 is a heavy turbine helicopter produced between 1979 and 2010. Price: the Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3 is out of production and, used, the market median is around US$ 4.6M. Median from Jet Tracker's price research as of 06/2026. It has a range of 427 nm, a cruise speed of 145 kt (269 km/h), up to 12 passengers. In Brazil there are 12 active units in the RAB-ANAC, excluding cancelled registrations. There are 7 aircraft from this family for sale today, across 8 listings on the portals Jet Tracker tracks (global market, not Brazil only).

Source: RAB-ANAC (data as of 11/12/2026) and Jet Tracker catalog (spec sheet reviewed on 11/6/2026).

Acquisition price · pre-owned market
8 active listings (global)Jet Tracker curation · 4 sources · 6/4/2026
US$ 4.6MR$ 25.8M
market medianaging ≈ −5.2%/yr−32% vs Heavy Turbine Helicopter median
Entry
US$ 2.4M
model year 1998
Best value
US$ 4.6M
model year 2010
Top of range
US$ 4.8M
model year 2011
Basis
Valuation
Bluebook + market
Minimum
US$ 2.4M
R$ 13.5M
Median
US$ 4.6M
R$ 25.8M
Maximum
US$ 4.8M
R$ 26.9M
Depreciation curve by year of manufacture
CAGR +5.5%/yr·1998→2011
Market median by vintage (USD). Light-blue band = min/max range observed across real listings. Points without reliable public listings (n ≤ 1) use Bluebook/curve interpolation and are flagged as lower confidence.
6 of 6 points with reduced confidence (n ≤ 1 listing observed). The estimate for these years comes from Aircraft Bluebook / market-curve interpolation, not from direct listings.
Landed in Brazil

Index ≈ ×1.09 to ×1.36 on the aircraft value, already with ferry, ANAC nationalization, IPI and ICMS.

Through a qualified importer
US$ 2.6M – 5.6M
R$ 14.7M – 31.3M · Agreement 75/91 · IPI + ICMS ~7 to 12%
Direct import
US$ 3.0M – 6.5M
R$ 17.0M – 36.7M · IPI + full ICMS ~25 to 32%

Market estimate: value + ferry + ANAC nationalization + taxes, no legal review. II, PIS and COFINS are 0% for aircraft (NCM 88.02); IPI is 6.5% (3.25% for air taxi) until Dec 31, 2026; ~4% ICMS only through a qualified importer (Agreement 75/91).

Cost per flight hour
Operate · owned
US$ 2.5K/h
R$ 14.2K/h · Variable/h
Fixed/yr
US$ 464.8K
Total/h @ 200 hrs/yr
US$ 4.9K/h
Charter · 🌎 World
US$ 2.5K – 3.1K/h
R$ 14.0K – 17.4K/h
Charter · 🇧🇷 Brazil
US$ 3.0K – 4.5K/h
R$ 16.8K – 25.2K/h

Operate = direct cost/hour (fuel + maintenance + engine); excludes fixed costs (hangar, crew, insurance). World: hourly rate published by charter operators. Brazil: charter is quoted per leg, so the hourly figure is an estimate from route quotes.

How we read this price · 4 sources · researched 6/4/2026

Median and price range for pre-owned aircraft, compiled by Jet Tracker from asking prices in listings and the price guides in the sources below, checked on 6/4/2026. 1 of 6 model years has an observed listing. The rest are estimates from the market curve between model years and are flagged in the chart.

PTAX · R$ 5.6075 / US$ · 11/12/2026

Market estimates for guidance only, not a firm quote. Confirm the value with a broker/appraiser before any transaction.

Temporal identity

First flight
Jan 24, 1975
FAA cert.
Nov 06, 1998
ANAC cert.
—
Deliveries start
—
Units produced
1,098

The AS365 Dauphin N3 is the heavy twin-turbine helicopter from Airbus Helicopters, built between 1979 and 2010 and still present in Brazil in business and offshore support missions. It cruises at 150 kt, has a range of 432 nm and a service ceiling of 15,100 ft, with a maximum takeoff weight of 4,300 kg. The cabin carries 10 passengers in the typical configuration and up to 12 in the maximum arrangement, a capacity that sets it apart from light single-turbine helicopters. The reference price of a new unit is US$6.5 million, and the ICAO code AS65 organizes the search for certified repair shops, parts and market comparables.

Detailed specs

Performance

Engines
2x Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshafts
Engine type
Twin-turbine 851 shp each
Max speed
165 kt
Endurance
4 h
Fuel
1,135 L
Tail rotor type
11-blade Fenestron
Fuel
299.8 gal
Main rotor blades
4
Rate of climb
1,640 ft/min
Service ceiling
16,400 ft
Hover ceiling (IGE)
9,800 ft
Hover ceiling (OGE)
5,575 ft
Main rotor diameter
11.94 m

Cabin and comfort

Doors
2 front doors + rear sliding doors + rear clamshell (SAR versions)
Seats
12
Optional air conditioning
Yes
Configuration
12 utility seats (1+1+10) or 8 VIP corporate PAX
Typical configuration
Vip 8
Useful load
1,914 kg
Cabin volume
5.1 m³
Noise attenuation
Spacious cabin with Fenestron, good acoustic attenuation for the standard of the time
Baggage compartment
38.84 cu ft

Avionics and engines

FMS
Universal UNS-1Lw or Honeywell GNS-XLS
Cockpit
Collins MFD-255 PFD/ND (2 PFD + 2 ND) glass cockpit
Autopilot
SFIM AP 155 AFCS with SFIM CDV 85 D3 flight director coupler (3-axis)
Flight deck
Universal
Transponder
Garmin GTX 345 with ADS-B Out (mandatory retrofit)
IFR certified
IFR dual-pilot factory certified + Cat A operations
Weather radar
Optional: Telephonics RDR-1400C or Honeywell RDR 2000

Operating costs

Data source
https://www.aircraftcostcalculator.com/AircraftOperatingCosts/444/Airbus-Eurocopter+AS365N3 · https://conklindedecker.jetsupport.com/details/Airbus%20Helicopters%20AS365N3%20Dauphin · https://boltflight.com/airbus-eurocopter-as365n3-price-and-operating-costs/ · https://www.globalair.com/aircraft-for-sale/specifications?specid=1616 · https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/eurocopter-as365-dauphin/
Fuel burn
130 gal/h
Last updated
2026
Rotor overhaul interval
4,000 h
Market price (low)
US$ 1,500,000
Engine overhaul interval
4,000 h
Market price (high)
US$ 4,500,000

External dimensions

Overall length
13.73 m
Wingspan
11.94 m
Height
4.06 m

Weights & fuel

Operating empty weight (OEW)
2,389 kg
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)
4,300 kg
Maximum payload
1,600 kg
Fuel capacity
1,135 L
Fuel capacity
2,032 lb

Cabin

Standard configuration
1 zone10 typical passengers · 12 maxVIP 8 seats

Typical factory configuration (curated data). The drawing below is schematic and at approximate scale; the actual layout varies by interior and year.

Cabin to scale: cross-section and profile
1,40 m1,98 m
front cross-section · person = 1.75 m
2,21 m long
Length
2.21 m
Width
1.98 m
Height
1.4 m
Volume
5.1 m³
Baggage
—

History

  1. 1975First flight
  2. 1990 - Dauphin family debuted in 1972 with a Fenestron

    Aérospatiale launched the SA 360 Dauphin in 1972, a helicopter with a Fenestron (tail rotor enclosed in a duct, debuted on the Gazelle in 1968, Aérospatiale patent 1968). It evolved through generations: SA 365 N (1981), SA 365 N1 (1984), AS365 N2 (1990), AS365 N3 (1998), EC155 B1 (2002), then rebranded H155 in 2014. More than 1,000 Dauphin units produced in 50+ years. Current H155 version (discontinued in 2018) replaced by the H160 with Blue Edge rotor.

    Airbus Helicopters
  3. 1998FAA certification
  4. 2010End of production
  5. 2018 - Evolved into the EC155 B1 (2002) and later replaced by the H160 in 2018

    AS365 N3 evolved into the EC155 B (1998) and EC155 B1 (2002), a stretched version with a larger cabin (1+1+12 PAX) and a 10-blade Fenestron. In 2014, rebranded as H155. In 2018, Airbus discontinued H155 production, replaced by the H160 (completely new medium-twin with Blue Edge rotor, certified 2020). H160 inherits the Dauphin/H155's VIP corporate medium-twin niche with 2020s technology. Active global Dauphin/H155 fleet in 2024 still exceeds 700 units.

    Airbus Helicopters

Brazil Fleet

32 registrations in the RAB (all statuses)

Full analysis: listing, mark reservations, charts and change log in the ANAC Monitor.

Open Analytics

Lineage

Model with no documented lineage in the manufacturer's line.

Curiosities and highlights

Benefits

SAR and Coast Guard standard, US Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin

The Dauphin is the global governmental SAR (Search and Rescue) standard; most notable variants: US Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin (fleet of 100+ units operating since 1980 in oceanic SAR), French Navy AS565 Panther (fleet of 25+ units), Royal Saudi Coast Guard, Argentine Air Force. Global SAR/Coast Guard fleet exceeds 200 units. Decisive characteristics: range 462 nm for long oceanic SAR, twin-engine + Cat A for operation on ship vertiports, hoist + FLIR + searchlight standard.

12-PAX cabin with rear clamshell door appeals to EMS/utility/SAR

The Dauphin cabin seats 12 PAX in utility configuration (1+1+10), with a large rear clamshell door for EMS (4 stretchers + 6 ATLS providers), SAR (hoist + 6 rescued survivors), utility (internal cargo 1,500 kg). More cabin space than the H145 (3,800 kg MTOW vs. 4,300 kg for the Dauphin). For medium-heavy lift missions, the Dauphin offers superior capacity; competitors Bell 412 and S-76 are similar but with different cabins.

Limitations

145 KTAS speed is good but the Dauphin design is from the 80s

The Dauphin has a cruise speed of 145 KTAS, competitive for the 80s/90s but below modern medium-twins (AW139 165 KTAS, H160 150 KTAS). The 1990-design cabin lacks the acoustic/vibration isolation of modern aircraft (the H145 D3 with a 5-blade rotor has a quieter cabin). Operating cost of ~USD 2,400/h is high vs. competitors, OEM parts are expensive because of the discontinued fleet, and MROs specialized in the Dauphin design are few.

Curiosities

Líder Aviação operated the Dauphin in Brazil offshore

In Brazil, Líder Aviação operated the Dauphin (specifically AS365 N2/N3) on Petrobras offshore contracts in the 90s and early 2000s, before the AW139/S-76C+ era that dominated Brazilian offshore. The fleet was gradually replaced. Some AS365 units still fly in Brazilian Navy SAR (designation UH-13B Esquilo Bimotor) and in state government fleets. Active Brazilian civil fleet in 2024 is small (~10 units).

Líder Aviação

Catalogued accidents

Sources: NTSB, CENIPA, Aviation Safety Network

9/19/2007· BR· ITAJUBÁ
PR-RFF
Serious

Loss of control on the ground

Registrations in Brazil

5 operational aircraft owned by companies in the ANAC registry (RAB). Each opens the profile with owner, operator, status and history.

PP-JSJPP-YSEPP-YSFPR-DTGPR-RFF

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3 cost?

The Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3 is out of production, so there is no factory price. On the used market the median is around US$ 4.6M, varying with year and flight hours; see real listings on this model's Market tab. Reference value as of 06/2026.

What is the range of the Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3?

The maximum range is 427 nm (427 NM · 791 km).

How fast is the Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3?

Cruise speed is 145 kt, equivalent to 269 km/h.

How many passengers does the Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3 seat?

The Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3 seats up to 12 passengers, crew not included.

How many Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3 are there in Brazil?

There are 12 active units in the RAB-ANAC (data as of 11/12/2026): operational, mark reservation or suspended, excluding cancelled registrations.

Who operates the Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3 in Brazil?

8 distinct operators operate 10 units of the Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3 in the RAB-ANAC: 3 in air taxi (RBAC 135) and 7 in private operation (RBAC 91), concentrated in SP, RJ and MG (data as of 11/12/2026). Another 1 unit is under registration reservation (tail number reserved, not yet operating). Not included in that count: 1 unit run by a public body (police, fire department or government). Name, fleet and state of each operator are on this model's Analytics tab and in the operators directory.

How much does it cost to operate the Airbus AS365 Dauphin N3 per hour?

Jet Tracker estimate: about US$ 4,855 per flight hour at 200 h/year, of which US$ 2,531 per hour is variable cost (fuel, engine program, maintenance reserves) plus US$ 464,800 per year of fixed cost (crew, hangar, insurance), under Jet Tracker's default assumptions (Southeast Brazil, in-house crew, 200 h/year). Run your own scenario on this model's Costs tab.