Some 850 BLR Aerospace FastFin® Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability Systems are now operating in 30 nations worldwide, elevating the performance of Bell Medium helicopters and helping a wide range of operators improve mission effectiveness. More than half of all FastFin Systems are operating in North America, followed by Latin America (20 percent) and Asia (17 percent).

The company invites guests to see its FastFin display, request an ROI analysis or technical briefing, and view video presentations in Exhibit 2222 throughout Heli-Expo 2015, March 3-5 in Orlando.

“BLR is proud to reach this important milestone, and it is gratifying to see the FastFin technology experience such widespread acceptance in so many market segments and regions,” said Dave Marone, the company’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “FastFin’s performance benefits make the system a must-have for safety-conscious Bell Medium operators seeking to maximize the return on their airframe investments.”

BLR said the government and military market is its fastest-growing, representing 40 percent of all sales. New government customers in 2014 include the UK Ministry of Defense, the Philippine Air Force, the Colombian Navy, the Thailand MOAC, and the Cyprus National Police.

According to Marone, operators faced with reduced budgets invest in FastFin because it affordably provides certified performance increases that directly impact the mission. “Having the ability to fly higher or carry more, all with greater stability, is a significant benefit,” Marone said.

With FastFin installed, most operators will receive between a 10 and 90 percent increase in useful load depending on specific model and density altitude. The FastFin system includes two parallel stall strips on the tailboom and a reshaped vertical fin. FastFin optimizes airflow around the tailboom, dramatically improving tail rotor authority and wind azimuth tolerance.

In addition to enhancing performance for the fielded fleet, FastFin is factory-standard equipment on all new Bell 412EP helicopters and is OEM-qualified for the Huey II.                                                                       

About BLR Aerospace

BLR Aerospace is fully devoted to performance innovation. With products on more than 5,000 helicopters and airplanes worldwide, and endorsed by industry-leading OEMs such as Bell Helicopter and Beechcraft Corporation, we back our superior designs with unsurpassed manufacturing quality.  Note: BLR is no longer known as Boundary Layer Research and appreciates the news media’s support in accurately using the BLR Aerospace name.