01/31/2015. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "With the Puma and Gazelle in production, the French helicopter company Aérospatiale found itself with a gap in the six to ten seat helicopter category. Design work started in 1970 on the SA.360 Dauphin which was, initially, derived from the Alouette III and used the rotor blades from that helicopter. In its early form, the SA 360 had a fixed tail wheel landing gear, a fenestron tail similar to that of the Gazelle and a single Astazou XVI turboshaft engine. Eventually, the engine power was upgraded and Aérospatiale decided to offer both single- (SA 360) and twin-engined (SA 365) versions of the Dauphin equipped with new composite main blades. The single-engined version was awarded its Type Certificate on December 18, 1975, subsequently only 36 machines were built.

SA 360 SA 360A Dauphin SA 360C Dauphin SA 361 Dauphin

Eleven-seat helicopter with streamlined fuselage, fixed spatted tail wheel landing gear, fenestron tail rotor, and single four-blade rotor driven by a 940 shp Turbomeca Astazou XVIIIA turboshaft. Two prototypes, F-WSQL c/n 001 (first flown June 2, 1972), and F-WQSX c/n 002 (first flown January 29, 1973). A single SA 360 for the French Aéronavale. The SA 360 for commercial customers. Some fitted with skids. The SA 360 fitted with Astazou XX turboshaft and 'starflex' rotor head. Three converted from SA 360 Cs, prototype F-BSQX first flew on July 12, 1976.

The pictured aircraft was registered in Germany as D-HAAL in October 1984, it was operated by Arcus Air Logistigs for the Ambulanzflugdienst Köln (Flying Ambulance Service Cologne) from 1988 till the early 1990s, thereafter is was used by Meravo Arcus for charter operations. It was withdrawn from service in 2006."