St. Louis, MO., Jan. 15, 2004 – Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (AFS) has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) and Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) for an Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system for use on Bell 407 helicopters.

The approvals clear the way for commercial operators of Bell 407s to benefit from combat-proven military technology. AFS also expects to achieve Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification this year for the same filtration system on the Bell 206L-3 and L-4 helicopters. AFS designed the Bell 407 IBF system to be fully interchangeable with the Bell 206L-3/4 airframe.

Patented AFS filtration systems are now in use on U.S. Army OH-58D and AH/MH-6J helicopters flying in Iraq. To date, not one of these filter-equipped helicopters has lost an engine due to erosion — a true testament to the merits of AFS products and barrier filter technology, according to AFS Managing Director Mike Scimone.

The AFS Bell 407 system includes a single filter design optimized for hover and forward-flight conditions and providing improvements in engine performance over the entire airspeed envelope. An optional access door allows the filter to be removed and replaced quickly and easily, without the cumbersome job of removing the inlet fairing — greatly improving the maintainability of the system.

In addition to filtering out more than 99 percent of dirt and sand, AFS filter systems actually enhance engine performance when compared to inlet particle separators, delivering more useful load, more engine temperature margin, and a greater margin of safety. Other benefits include reduced operating and overhaul costs and reduced engine operating temperatures for increased engine life.

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 400 systems and 2,500 filters to military and commercial customers worldwide.

The company will display its IBF systems for Bell 407 and MD 500 aircraft at its Booth (No. 2226) at Heli-Expo in Las Vegas, March 15-17.

AFS commercial products for all Bell model helicopters are distributed exclusively by Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI).