Permanently Inflated For Offshore Operations

Aero-News learned Wednesday DART Helicopter Services and its affiliated company, Apical Industries, have received EASA certification of their Utility Fixed Float System for Eurocopter AS 350D/B/B1/B2/B3/BA model helicopters.

The design of the Utility Floats for the AS350 provides for permanent inflation and full time buoyancy for helicopters assigned to off-shore or other over-water activities, according to the companies. Abrasion-resistance chafing material located on the underside of each float and the reinforcement of the personnel walkways are incorporated to provide additional abrasion protection.

Each float consists of six separate air-holding chambers, each separated by bulkheads made of the same urethane nylon as the tube to minimize the loss of buoyancy in the event of a puncture or tear. Each chamber contains a topping valve for manual inflation, and a pressure relief valve (PRV) to prevent over-pressurization.

"We at DART Helicopter Services realize what a prominent part the AS350 has to play in the helicopter industry in Europe. We hope to further the capability of European operators to meet contractual requirements by now adding the Utility Fixed Float System to the myriad DHS products that are EASA approved," said Jeff Shapiro, CEO of Dart Helicopter Services.

FMI: www.darthelicopterservices.com