St. Louis, MO., July 12, 2006 – Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (AFS) has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from Transport Canada (TC) for an Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system for Bell 206B helicopters.

The approvals clear the way for Canadian operators of Bell 206Bs to maximize engine protection while reaping big performance and maintenance benefits from law enforcement and combat-proven military technology. The system also may be used by OH-58A and OH-58C operators and will be well received by those flying airborne law enforcement missions, AFS officials said.

The IBF system for Bell 206Bs features flat filter assemblies and an integral bypass design. The filter may be replaced via a quick access door in just 15 minutes. An integral maintenance aid allows for on-condition maintenance between established cleaning intervals, eliminating unnecessary service. All the great features incorporated into the Bell 407/206L-1/3/4 filter system are included in the Bell 206B design.

Barrier filtration systems filter out more than 99 percent of dirt and sand. They actually enhance engine performance when compared to traditional particle separators, delivering more engine temperature margin (thus more load-carrying capacity), and providing a greater margin of safety. Barrier filter technology applied to turbine engine inlets provides a substantial return on investment (ROI) for operators, plus performance improvements on many platforms. In most cases, turbine engine components are life-limited parts, but seldom reach their design lives. With a barrier filter installed, this expensive component is able to survive multiple overhauls. The ROI for a barrier filter system is easily attained within one engine overhaul cycle, even in a relatively clean environment.


AFS is the industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-performance engine IBF systems for commercial and military propulsion systems. AFS has delivered more than 2,000 systems and 15,000 filters to military and commercial customers worldwide. In addition to the Bell 206B system, the company also produces certified commercial filtration systems for the Bell 407, the Bell 206L3/L4, the Bell 206L1 (C30) and the MD 369 (MD 500H/D/E/F Series). Systems for the Bell 205/210, Eurocopter AS 350 and Agusta A119 are in development with U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certification expected in the next several months.

The company will display its IBF system for the Bell 206B — as well as many of its other products — at Exhibit 620 at the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) convention, Jul. 20-21 in New Orleans, La.

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For more information, contact:
Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc.
Jay Foster
Sales and Marketing Manager
(636) 300-5050
foster@afsfilters.com
www.afsfilters.com