AIN Staff

Naaco’s ‘Mercury Mod’ Turns 15 Naasco, the starter-generator MRO specialist, is celebrating the 15th anniversary of “Mercury Mod,” its improvement program for starter-generators. 
The ETR-20 and ETR-25 Mercury Mods, performed on starter-generators made by APC and Lucas/Goodrich, improve reliability and performance and lower ongoing maintenance costs, according to Naasco. Additionally, the company’s Sil-Met repair capabilities enable it to transform parts formerly considered as consumables into repairables, also lowering ongoing costs.&nbsp; 
The Shirley, N.Y.-based company also plans to announce new FAA approvals and OEM-sponsored programs at its Heli-Expo booth (No. 3522). Attendees who stop by will be eligible to win a GPS navigator. 
Kannad Highlights Personal Locator Beacons Kannad (Booth No. 3716) is featuring two personal locator beacons, the palm-sized XS-4 GPS and the “professional” handheld XS-ER GPS. Both comply with Cospas/Sarsat 406 MHz standards and transmit homing signals on 121.5 MHz. Kannad, a French company, bills the smaller XS-4 as “the world’s smallest and lightest PLB on the market.” It boasts at least 24 hours of continuous battery operation while its larger companion, the XS-ER, claims to run up to 48 hours after activation. Both have batteries rated at five years before replacement. Both of the bright yellow locator beacons are subscription-free and will be available for purchase beginning on March 1.
Helibras To Upgrade 34 Helos for Brazilian Army Helicópteros do Brazil (Helibras), a Eurocopter subsidiary (Booth No. 3128), has signed to upgrade 34 AS365K Panther helicopters for the Brazilian army. It is the largest service contract ever signed by the São Paulo-based company. The Panther fleet, which provides troop transport and light support, was purchased in 1988 by the Brazilian government following formation of the 1st Army Aviation Squadron. The upgrade includes new Turbomeca Arriel 2C2 CG engines, managed by Fadec and providing up to a 15-percent increase in continuous power. The avionics suite will be enriched with a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 glass cockpit. Four new AS365Ks are scheduled to be upgraded annually, with deliveries to begin in 2011 and run through 2021.
Laselec Makes Its Mark on Cables Laselec is showcasing its line of ultraviolet (UV)-laser wire-marking machines at Heli-Expo, including its latest, the MT 200 inspection station, which complements the company’s Ulys Modena and MRO 200 series of wire markers. Based in Toulouse, France, Laselec notes that direct marking with a UV laser, which has replaced heat-shrink sleeve application, reduces the weight of cabling, with obvious benefits for aviation applications. 
The MT 200 marks cable samples with a UV laser and produces an analysis report. It also enables users to check the markability of the cable and carry out periodic controls during production. It offers simplicity of operation and low maintenance and operating costs. Company representatives will be on hand to demonstrate the equipment at the Laselec booth (No. 2635).
HeliRussia Woos Heli-Expo Visitors HeliRussia 2010 is using Heli-Expo 2010 to promote its annual exhibition. Held annually in Moscow, HeliRussia “Crocus Expo” (Booth No. 4200) is scheduled for May 20 to 22. It is promoted as the only international exhibition in Russia where companies from Russia and other countries present a world view of the helicopter industry, from design and manufacture to operation. Last year’s event drew 144 companies from 14 countries and hosted more than 7,000 visitors and some 268 journalists. The organizers invite visitors to come by for Russian Hour at 1 p.m. today for a presentation on the state of the Russian helicopter market and its prospects.

HAI 2010 News Clips

Naaco’s ‘Mercury Mod’ Turns 15 Naasco, the starter-generator MRO specialist, is celebrating the 15th anniversary of “Mercury Mod,” it