BLR Aerospace (Booth #B3224) announced the continued success of its Airbus H125 FastFin™ Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability System for increasing operating performance and safety margins, while creating an impressive return on investment (ROI) for operators. BLR released key ROI analysis information at HELI-EXPO 2019, highlighting customers’ quantifiable investment returns in a variety of operating environments.
“We are receiving very positive data and feedback about the dramatic improvements FastFin operators are experiencing,” said BLR Aerospace President Mike Carpenter. “Satisfied Airbus customers continue to demand the FastFin, recognizing the increased performance, safety and stability benefits of the system to their missions. We remain committed to continually innovating and improving the system by working with Airbus to making it more available for our new and returning customers through aftermarket and factory-installation options.”
Flying today on more than 40 aircraft in eight countries, BLR Aerospace’s H125 FastFin System uses advanced airflow management to increase the anti-torque system’s effectiveness. Data proves customers experience an up to 18% increase in useful load and a 10% increase in available right pedal margin at high power settings, which translates into a 100% payback on the system investment in as little as 21 months.
“We are very satisfied with the increased performance and additional payload in hot and high conditions,” said Bart Brainerd of Firehawk Helicopters, BLR Aerospace’s launch customer for the FastFin System for the H125 and operator of multiple helicopters for public service, charter, movie, and construction missions.
“We lift more, and our pilots report increased stability and decreased workload, allowing them to focus on efficiency and safety while performing the job,” Brainerd added. “We’ve placed more FastFin System orders and look forward to increasing our capability across the fleet.”
Comprised of an Advanced Tailboom Aerodynamic Cowling (ATAC), a Tailboom Strake, and Vortex Generators, the FastFin System increases useful load and improves aircraft stability, especially in hot/high conditions without modifying the vertical fin. The system also increases safety by reducing pilot workload. Pilots experience easier control in precision hover-hold operations and a significant improvement in yaw axis control when hovering in challenging crosswinds.
Factory and Aftermarket Installation Options
Airbus continues to promote the FastFin system with factory installations and through a Worldwide network of Airbus Customer Centers. To date, Airbus has installed two systems at their factory in Marignane France, illustrating customer recognition of the system’s performance benefits and value. Airbus Helicopters Vice President Axel Aloccio said: “The additional performances brought by the BLR FastFin system benefits our H125 customers performing very demanding missions.”
The FastFin System is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Canada (TC), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and numerous other Civil Aviation Authorities around the world. More than 1,000 of BLR’s performance-enhancing FastFin Systems have been installed on various light and medium helicopters worldwide.