Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT) company, announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Van Horn Aviation to develop a composite tail rotor blade for the Bell 212 and Bell 412 product lines.

Van Horn Aviation has agreed to design, certify and manufacture the rotor blades with Bell Helicopter Engineering participating in the design and certification processes.
“The collaboration between Bell Helicopter and Van Horn Aviation is another example of Bell Helicopter’s continued focus to team with industry partners and bring innovative, cost effective products to market that are backed by the strength of Bell Helicopter,” said Eric Cardinali, executive vice president, Bell Helicopter Customer Support and Services. “We are pleased to join with Van Horn Aviation in this endeavor and will continue to pursue similar opportunities to better support our growing customer base.”

“The Bell 212/Bell 412 M0U builds on our successful Bell 206 series tail rotor blade distribution agreement with Bell Helicopter by expanding our relationship to include engineering and test collaboration,” said James Van Horn, president, Van Horn Aviation. “This collaboration will be of tremendous benefit to our mutual customers by combining Bell Helicopter’s in depth product knowledge with VHA’s low cost structure and proven robust composite blade designs.”

When certified, the blades will be distributed under Bell Helicopter’s Aeronautical Accessories brand. Under the Aeronautical Accessories brand, Bell Helicopter currently serves as the exclusive distributor for the Van Horn composite tail rotor blade for the Bell 206 B/L aircraft.

For more information on the Bell 206B/L series composite tail rotor blade, please contact the Aeronautical Accessories sales team at 1.800.251.7094, email your questions to sales@aero-access.com or visit their website, www.aero-access.com.

About Van Horn Aviation
Based in Tempe, Arizona, Van Horn Aviation (VHA) specializes in the design, certification and manufacturing of aftermarket dynamic components for various rotorcraft. Today VHA manufactures composite tail rotor blades for the 206/OH-58 and UH-1 Huey series of aircraft. VHA holds FAA, Transport Canada, EASA and Brazilian STCs for the 206/OH-58 blades, and FAA STC SR02051LA for the UH-1 blades. VHA is also currently developing new composite tail and main rotor blade designs for various helicopters.