Tanis Aircraft Products add utility and safety to any fleet, preheating critical aircraft components on helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Tanis does this by preheating engines, gearboxes, fluids, batteries and avionics while on the ground in standby status. Tanis systems are used in all climates but are best known by operators that depend on aircraft to function in sub-zero conditions, in temperatures that dip to -65 F or lower.
“‘From off to lift-off’ in two minutes, our customers tell us,” said Dirk Ellis, the company’s engineering manager and pilot. “Just plug it in and your Tanis system preheats engines, critical driveline components, batteries and avionics.
“With a Tanis preheat kit keeping your aircraft preconditioned regardless of the weather — warm or cold — you will be able to take off and fly safely at a moment’s notice. This translates to saving both time and money, even in the mildest of weather conditions. You will also avoid the damage that cold-starting can cause to engines and not be at the mercy of batteries depleted by frigid temperatures. I have been reminded by more than one operator that sometimes the best thing that can happen to a cold soaked engine that has not been properly preheated is for it not to start.”
With turbine engines, thermal stress in the combustion chamber is a function of both peak temperature and time of exposure. Proper preheating reduces both, yields a second order reduction and at the same time reduces emissions of pollutants like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Reduction in drag and impact torque during start and run-up is achieved by pre-heating lubricants and geared components. The results are a reduction in start times and less wear and tear on the starting system (such as the starter, generator and battery) and the combustion section.
When drag on the accessory gears and drive components are significantly reduced, the acceleration of the engine is greater and faster, and consequently peak gas temperatures experienced during start are shorter and cooler, which is important regardless of whether ground power is available or not.
“Tanis preheating systems are widely used by helicopter emergency medical services [HEMS] and HAA [helicopter air ambulance] medical services such as Air Methods, AMRG, Life Link and Life Flight Network,” added Douglas J. Evink, Tanis president and CEO. “Air ambulances need to be able to take off and go at a moment’s notice. Having their engines and onboard systems preheated ensures that this can be done around the clock, with a minimum of stress on the aircraft’s systems.”
Tanis is a customer-driven company that offers preheating kits for just about all makes and models of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and even auxiliary power units (APUs). The company designs and manufactures systems for helicopters from small to large — from the Robinson R22 to the Airbus H215 Super Puma and from a Cessna 152 to a Boeing 737. Tanis preheat kits are available for most makes and models of helicopters, including Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland), Airbus, Brantly, Bell, Columbia, Enstrom, Robinson, MD, and Sikorsky.
And the company doesn’t stop there — because it is customer driven, Tanis is continually adding systems. Tanis is the industry standard when it comes to preheating and preconditioning. It remains that way by working directly with operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Tanis uses certified materials, proven design methodologies and certification practices.
Established in 1974, Tanis is a pioneer in the design, development and installation of aircraft preheating systems.
“We were the first to develop engine-mounted preheat systems for piston engines, first to offer helicopter preheat, first to offer turbine preheat, and the first and only such supplier to meet the rigorous requirements for FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] STC [supplemental type certification],” said Ellis. “Our commitment to staying first explains why we are responsive to the changing needs of our customers. As technology and the industry evolves, we evolve!”
Kits are airframe- and engine-specific. However, Tanis does work directly with many of its customers to ensure each kit meets their specific environmental and operational demands.
Tanis’ helicopter preheat systems consist of a series of electrical resistance heating elements that directly heat engines, main and tail rotor gear boxes, oil and hydraulic tanks, batteries, avionics and cabins. Tanis systems are not connected to or dependent upon aircraft systems, and are not used in flight.
“In today’s aircraft, you need preheating to ensure the safety of your flight, to protect your substantial investment, and to reduce your operating and maintenance costs. It is also important to utilize preheat in the cockpit to ensure that your glass displays work and to ensure that your gyros function properly, in the coldest of weather,” said Evink.
“You also need in-cabin heating. Heating the cockpit helps to make it more comfortable for the pilot and passengers. It helps to keep ice and snow from windows; ice-free windows make for a safer flight. Not to mention that control systems function much more freely,” noted Ellis. “If your cockpit windows aren’t preheated, it only takes a few exhaled breaths to frost the windows and make it impossible to see outside.”
Clearly, it makes good sense for any helicopter that operates in cold weather to be equipped with a Tanis preheat system, whether during original manufacturing or as a retrofit. And it’s easy to operate. Just plug it in and it all happens while the helicopter is on the ground on standby, in as little as six hours. This means your helicopter is ready even in the coldest of conditions.
“We take great pride in all of our preheat kits, which are designed and built by our highly-qualified, well-trained specialists at our facilities in Minnesota,” said Evink. “Given our location, we know a lot about living and working in cold winter conditions. Because our facilities are also close to airports, we also have easy access to real-life flying platforms for extensive product testing.”
“Simply, if your helicopter flies in cold weather and it isn’t equipped with Tanis preheat, the safest thing for all concerned just may be for your helicopter not to start,” concluded Ellis. “Fortunately, it is easy and affordable to add Tanis preheat to almost any aircraft, so this doesn’t have to happen! In many cases your ROI [return on investment] takes place the first time you use it.”
952-224-4425
1-800-443-2136
If you would like to see your company featured in Insight, contact sales director Frank Sargeant at frank@mhmpub.com.
