Fri, Oct 15, 2004
The FAA has approved a
new aftermarket modification developed by Boundary Layer Research,
Inc (BLR) of Everett WA. The new modification termed 'Fast Fin'
which is making it's debut at NBAA, is applicable to helicopters of
the medium class manufactured by Bell Helicopter such as the 205,
212 and 412, and UH-1 series, and is available in kit form. Patents
for the installation/design have been applied for and are pending
U.S. patent office approval. Improvements in cruise, yaw, and hover
stability are reported.
The modification removes approximately 30% of the trailing edge
vertical fin allowing more efficient air flow for the tail rotor
and surrounding area reducing drag and increasing tail rotor
thrust. Installation of the kit requires approximately twelve man
hours using simple sheet metal hand tools.
Early demand for the
modification kit by public use operators has caused the company to
push back deliveries schedules for civil operators until early next
year.
Boundary Layer Research, Inc. (BLR) designs, develops and
markets after-market airframe aerodynamic enhancements for
Fixed-Wing and Rotor-Wing Aircraft. During a 12 year history of
fixed wing projects, BLR has produced no less than forty-nine STC
approvals for after-market airframe modifications.
The company's primary product lines have involved airflow
manipulation technologies, such as Vortex Generators, Winglets, and
Strakes. Entry into rotary wing category in 1998 was centered on a
licensing agreement with NASA's Langley Research Center. BLR
completed the FAA certification process and now markets a patented
NASA design for helicopter tail boom strakes.
NASA's dual strake technology is an inexpensive means of
improving handling qualities, improving payload performance, and
reducing stress on major flight components for all single rotor
helicopters. Company president Bob Desroche has been involved with
certification flight test for over twenty years. Gross weight
increases, Landing Weight increases with V-speed reductions and
handling quality improvements are only a few of the product
benefits developed by Mr. Desroche and his team of experts. BLR is
a NASA Technology Transfer Licensee and a Boeing Patent
Licensee.
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