EVERETT, WA, August 8, 2006 — BLR Aerospace (BLR) has delivered its first newly certified B206L dual helicopter tailboom strakes to Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, Inc., the world’s largest helicopter sightseeing company.
The FAA approved a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) June 30 for the NASA-licensed technology, according to Dave Marone, BLR’s director of Sales and Marketing. The certification clears the way for operators of B206L helicopters to realize significant performance improvements by installing BLR strakes.
“Strakes technology is proven, and it will enhance our operations in a variety of important ways,” said Brenda Halvorson, president of Papillon Airways Inc. “Safety is key, and our pilots are looking forward to the increased stability they will experience with strakes.” Papillon has ordered and will install 12 strakes kits on its B206Ls.
The strakes technology already is widely used by rotorcraft operators around the world. In fact, 600 helicopters equipped with strakes reached the one million flight-hour milestone in January.
The addition of BLR dual strakes controls airflow over the tailboom, greatly improving stability while increasing payload. Reduced maintenance and fuel costs are additional benefits.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified strakes kits are available for a range of Bell helicopters. BLR designs, develops, manufactures and markets airframe aerodynamic enhancements for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. BLR’s 15-year history of aerodynamic innovation has produced nearly 60 FAA STC approvals for after-market aircraft modifications. The company’s primary product lines involve airflow manipulation technologies; vortex generators, winglets, tailboom strakes, and specially designed products all aimed at improving aircraft performance.