St. Louis, MO., Feb. 28, 2007 – Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (AFS) is in final flight testing of its Inlet Barrier Filtration (IBF) system for Eurocopter AS 350 helicopters equipped with the Arriel engine (AS 350 models B/BA/B1/B2/B3). Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada (TC) have previously approved the AFS IBF for the Soloy AS 350 SD2 Honeywell engine conversion last fall.

AFS anticipates a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the FAA shortly, clearing the way for operators of all AS 350 aircraft including Arriel-powered models to maximize engine protection while reaping performance and maintenance benefits.

The company is displaying its AS 350 IBF and its large selection of commercial helicopter inlet barrier filtration systems during Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida, March 1-3.

Benefits of the AFS AS 350 IBF include a canted flat filter design, allowing efficiency and maximum air flow in all flight regimes. The flat filter allows easy cleaning and servicing while quarter turn fasteners mean easy removal. And the company’s IBF line is backed with proven media flown during more than 1 million flight hours of commercial and military helicopter operations.

An integral filter maintenance aid allows for on-condition inspections between established cleaning intervals of 300 hours, or one year, eliminating unnecessary service. Filter assemblies are designed for 15 cleaning cycles, for a maximum life of 4,500 flight hours (service life is a function of the operating environment). A simple compact cockpit switch allows indication and activation of the bypass system.

“In every system we design, our goal is to minimize installation efforts for operators yet provide maximum performance benefits,” said Michael Scimone, president of AFS. “Our soon-to-be certified IBF for the Arriel-powered AS 350 provides operators with the best solution for inlet protection.”

AFS IBFs filter out more than 99 percent of dirt, sand, ash and fine particulates. AFS filters 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, these expensive components are 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. The company holds commercial STCs worldwide, including IBF solutions for the AgustaWestland A119 Koala, Bell 205A1, 206B, 407, 206L-3/4, 206L-1(C30), MD Helicopters MD 369 (MD 500H/D/E/F Series), and Eurocopter AS 350D/SD/SD2 (Soloy STC). Type certified systems are being development for the Bell 417 and 429. AFS military systems are available for the Bell OH-58A/C/D Kiowa, UH-1H Huey, Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk main engine and APU, Boeing AH/MH-6J/M Little Bird, AH-64 Apache APU, and CH-47 Chinook APU. IBF systems for the MD 900/902 Explorer, Eurocopter AS 350B/BA/B1/B2/B3, EC 130, Bell 212/412 are in development, with U.S. FAA certification expected in the next several months.
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Please visit Aerospace Filtration Systems/AFS at Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida March 1-3, 2007 at Booth 609.

For more information, contact:
Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc.
Sales and Marketing
(636) 300-5200
sales@afsfilters.com
www.afsfilters.com