Contributor - Business Aviation

Rob Finfrock

BLR Aerospace (Booth 927) secured&nbsp;a new fleet sale for its FastFin retrofittable anti-torque system augmentation device for Airbus H125 helicopters, the company announced this week at Heli-Expo. Helicopter utility service Heli-Austria, the first European operator for the H125 FastFin, placed an order for six more to complement its eight H125s already flying with the system.

 


The AS350/H125 FastFin tunes airflow to boost tail rotor effectiveness, resulting in significant increases to useful load and aircraft stability, especially in hot/high conditions. According to BLR, the system reduces pilot workload by providing easier control in precision hover-hold operations and better management of the yaw axis when hovering in challenging crosswinds.

 


"FastFin is beneficial in all flight regimes, but we consider it essential for high-altitude operations," said Heli-Austria managing director Roy Knaus. "We added the FastFin System to eight of our H125s in 2017 and saw such a strong performance margin, we are outfitting the rest of the fleet."

 


Heli-Austria aircraft routinely operate between 7,000 feet and 10,000 feet msl, and occasionally fly as high as 13,000 feet when performing a variety of vertical reference operations, including logging and construction.

 


"Heli-Austria is a long-time advocate of the FastFin System, and we are pleased to see they've received such a benefit from the system that they're outfitting the rest of their H125 fleet," added BLR Aerospace president Mike Carpenter. "As word gets out on the benefits of the system, global demand continues to grow."

 


FastFin is certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and FAA for installation on Airbus H125 helicopters and is available via aftermarket installation or as a factory-fitted STC option on new Airbus H125 helicopters.

 


The FastFin System is also available for other medium and light helicopters, including the Bell 204, 205, 212, 412, and UH-1. BLR Aerospace also supplies Dual Tailboom Strakes for the Bell 206 series and OH-58, which provide similar useful load and tail rotor authority benefits.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Heli-Austria Ups BLR Aerospace FastFin Orders for H125s

The FastFin system augments tail rotor authority to provide greater control and increased useful load.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

More In Rotorcraft

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance for Future Helicopters

Originally developed for the U.S. military, X2 technology is in search of a new customer.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN