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The Blade Shade line of products are specialized shade systems designed to give helicopter equipment and personnel protection from the sun while away from the hangar. Obvious Engineering Photo

Obvious Engineering completes prototype for two-blade canopy system

Obvious Engineering LLC Press Release | February 21, 2017

Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 40 seconds.

Obvious Engineering LLC, the company behind the Blade Shade canopy system, has completed the prototype for its long-awaited two-blade canopy system.

The Blade Shade line of products are specialized shade systems designed to give helicopter equipment and personnel protection from the sun while away from the hangar. Obvious Engineering Photo
The Blade Shade line of products are specialized shade systems designed to give helicopter equipment and personnel protection from the sun while away from the hangar. Obvious Engineering Photo

Since the company launched its innovative new shade system for the Airbus AStar helicopter at last year’s HAI Heli-Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, it has expanded its product line to include the Airbus H130, Leonardo (AgustaWestland) AW109 and AW119, and Bell 407 helicopter models.

The company is now expanding by offering two-blade models for the Robinson R44 helicopter.

“From the beginning, we’ve had a lot of interest from pilots and owners of two-bladed rotor systems; especially the Robinsons,” said co-founder and COO Joshua Martinez. “However, those systems provided a much greater challenge than the three-plus-bladed systems, as we’ve had to design a way to offer the same support structure of the three-bladed systems, but without adding a lot of complexity and weight.”

The Blade Shade line of products are specialized shade systems designed to give helicopter equipment and personnel protection from the sun while away from the hangar. Using the rotor system as a support structure, the Blade Shade canopy system provides shade for the users much like an umbrella would.

Designed for easy set-up and quick take-down, the Blade Shade is ideal for utility aircraft that spend extended periods out in the field, as well as for any aircraft that participates in outdoor static displays or PR events. This same comfort and protection is now available to the Robinson line of helicopters.

“Portability and ease of use have always been at the forefront of the Blade Shade design,” said CEO and co-founder Evan Reynolds. “Weighing under 12 pounds and storing easily under the seats of the R44, we are happy to say that the Blade Shade for Robinsons meets all of our criteria.”

With the completion of the Blade Shade for the Robinson line of helicopters, the company plans on moving to another popular airframe with a model for the Bell 206.

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