Eagle Australasia has successfully completed the first 407HP conversion for Heli Niugini. The conversion finished within the allotted timeframe of six weeks and on budget as previously announced by Eagle Australasia CEO Grant Boyter. It is Eagle Group’s ninth conversion to date.

A team of three from Eagle Canada were flown into the country to train and assist the Australasia team with the conversion. The process mainly involves replacing a standard 407 engine with a 1,021shp (751kW) HTS-900 engine.

According to Eagle Canada’s vice president David Whiting, the demand for Eagle 407HP conversions is growing. The re-engine program is fast becoming a success due to the fact that the converted aircraft reduces fuel consumption and increases shaft horsepower compared to the original factory fitted Rolls-Royce 250-C4B7. Furthermore, the re-engine 407HP is capable of lifting an additional 227 kilograms of payload at certain altitudes.
The Eagle 407HP conversion boasts of the capacity to lift heavier loads with lesser need for disassembly and can withstand weather temperature and altitude challenges compared to the standard Bell 407.

This was proven during a trial in Papua New Guinea January this year when a variety of internal and external loads were carried out at 6,500 feet, with a density altitude of 8,000 feet.

“With initial results coming in as anticipated, the aircraft was then taken up over 10,000 feet to prove its performance at ‘hot and high,’ and after multiple lifts at 11,300 feet (density altitude 13,000 feet) the words ‘Awesome’ and ‘What a beast’ were heard reverberating around the mountains,” said Grant Boyter, Eagle Australasia CEO, after the trial.
With the ability to outperform other aircraft in it’s class above 5,000 ft. and outlift a Bell 212 above 8,000 ft, the 407HP adds a competitive advantage to the Heli Niugini’s competition.

Another 407HP conversion for HeliSGi of Bali is scheduled to start in June.