Install and Save: Donaldson IBFs Deliver Quantifiable Returns on Investment

Install and Save: Donaldson IBFs Deliver Quantifiable Returns on Investment

3-Mar-2011 Source: Donaldson

Studies continue to show that it pays to equip helicopters with Inlet Barrier Filtration Systems (IBF) from Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of the Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI).

The missions, operating conditions and helicopters in each study are different. But the results — impressive cost savings and measurable returns on investment (ROI) — are consistent across the board, according to Robert Stenberg, Business Development Director at Donaldson’s St. Louis location.

“Time after time, we see that operators who install advanced-technology IBFs recoup their investments in short order and continue to save over the life of their engines,” Stenberg said.  “That’s why we call it the ROI Filter.”

In fact, Stenberg and his team will be projecting IBF ROI for operators who provide information about their engines’ current Time Between Overhaul (TBO) and normal time on wing interval. Stop by Exhibit 4428 during Heli-Expo 2011, March 6-8 in Orlando, Fla., for details.  Donaldson will also discuss ROI and other filtration issues during an exhibitor session on Sunday, March 6, at 10 a.m. in Room S.230-E at the Orlando Convention Center.  Participants may win a $1,000 Savings Bond, a symbol of the savings they can realize with IBF usage.

Multiple studies, including a recent analysis conducted for Air Methods, confirm that the use of IBFs reduces the number of engine overhauls required, Stenberg said. “Simply put, if you install IBFs, your engines can make TBO, and if you don’t, they might not.”  The savings add up quickly, and the more erosive the environment you operate in, the faster you save.

One study of 24 Bell 206 helicopters flying 180 hours each per year showed that the use of IBFs extended the engines’ TBOs from 600 to 1750 hours.  The savings from avoided overhauls (estimated at $120,000 each) enabled the operator to recoup the initial IBF investment in less than one year.  Cumulative savings over eight years were close to $4 million, impressive numbers for a moderately sized fleet.

“In these studies, cost savings are based strictly on the reduction in the number of overhauls per year, which is quantifiable,” Stenberg said. “Adding other cost avoidance issues such as longer compressor life, reduced engine component damage and increased aircraft availability make an even greater ROI case for IBF installs.”

While installed separation efficiencies for less capable systems hover at about 85-95 percent, IBFs deliver 99 percent efficiency.  This difference alone can increase engine life six-fold.  With these and other benefits in mind, helicopter operators worldwide turn to Donaldson Aerospace & Defense to best protect their aircraft power plant and other vital systems.

Providing the most comprehensive line of IBF solutions, Donaldson Aerospace & Defense is the industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-performance engine IBF systems for commercial and military propulsion systems with a milestone 5,000 IBF kit delivered in March 2011. Through its St. Louis, Missouri location, Donaldson provides certified and military qualified IBF solutions for a wide range of platforms.

* Commercially Certified Inlet Barrier Filters
o AgustaWestland A119 Koala, AW119Ke and AW139
o Bell 205A1, 206B, 407, 206L-3/4, 206L-1(C30), 429 and 430
o Eurocopter EC130, AS350 B/BA/B1/B2/B3, AS350B3 Dual Hydraulics, AS350’s with Soloy or Heli-Lynx Honeywell engine conversions
o MD Helicopters MD 369H Series, MD 500D/E/F and MD 900/902
* Military Qualified Engine IBFs and Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) IBFs
o Bell OH-58A/C Kiowa, TH-57 & TH-67 Trainer, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, UH-1H Huey
o Boeing AH-64A Apache, CH-47 Chinook, AH/MH-6 Little Bird, AH-6i
o Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk, SH-60 Seahawk

Visit Donaldson Aerospace & Defense at the upcoming Heli-Expo 2011, Booth: #4428 in Orlando, Florida, March 6-8, 2011.
To learn more about the Donaldson Aerospace & Defense group, visit www.DonaldsonAerospace-Defense.com or www.afs.donaldson.com.

About Donaldson Aerospace & Defense
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems for the aerospace and defense industry. Our filtration solutions protect fixed wing aircraft, rotorcraft, military ground vehicles, electronic equipment, space vehicles, missiles, military shipboard systems, and amphibious vehicles. We are committed to advancing filtration technology, providing quality products and prompt customer service. Our group serves customers from sales, engineering, and manufacturing locations around the world.

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