Paris based Regourd Aviation reports growing demand from private owners in Europe for E300,000

retrofit upgrades of the entry level EC120 Voyager.

Sales director Emmanuel Dupuy says: "The first two upgrades have gone to England and Germany. We have another three factory new aircraft that will be delivered, Voyager configured, in March, May and June of 2007."

Voyager clients are among the elite, successful and demanding European business men aged between 35 to 65, Dupuy adds. "For a negotiated price with Eurocopter, the new owner will get a basic aircraft, nuts and bolts if you like, but albeit a high end variant of the EC120. They want to get more out of the aircraft."

The upgraded version provides a two axis auto pilot, glass cockpit and fully integrated avionics suite with displayable traffic, terrain and weather information. "It provides safety and comfort and next generation equipment," says Dupuy.

Dupuy estimates the customisation gives an added weight of less than 50 kg. "A pilot with three passengers can enjoy three hours (345 nm + reserves) of hands free cruising at 120 kts."

The Voyager product was developed in collaboration with SAGEM and European modification approval was obtained in August 2005.