BLR Aerospace has announced FAA certification for the FastFin system on AgustaWestland’s AB412 helicopter. BLR Aerospace Photo
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the BLR Aerospace FastFin Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability System for installation and flight on AgustaWestland’s AB412 helicopter. European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification is imminent, according to Dave Marone, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing.
Marone also announced the appointment of Agrarflug Helilift as the European distributor and focal point for FastFin sales to the commercial Bell medium market. All military sales will continue to be managed by Misty Walker, BLR’s director, military helicopters.
“This is all good news for European operators,” Marone said. “EASA approval means more operators will be able to buy and install FastFin for impressive performance and safety benefits. And we could not be happier about adding Agrarflug as our European distributor.”
Based in Ahlen, Germany, Agrarflug operates a large fleet of Bell medium and light helicopters for missions ranging from firefighting to offshore transport. Agrarflug has been using BLR performance modification products for more than 10 years.
“FastFin is an important power, performance- and revenue-enhancing technology that is helping operators worldwide,” said Dennis Beese, Agrarflug’s president. “With FastFin installed, European operators flying in demanding conditions and challenging environments can expect impressive improvements in hover load, stability and wind azimuth tolerance.”
The system includes two parallel stall strips, known as Dual Tailboom Strakes, on the tailboom and a reshaped vertical fin. FastFin optimizes airflow around the tailboom, dramatically improving tail rotor authority and wind azimuth tolerance.
The company invites guests to visit the BLR Aerospace Exhibit (C60) throughout Helitech 2015, Oct. 6 to 8 in London, for more information.
