That’s because Transport Canada (TCCA) has accepted a U.S. Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for an Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system produced by Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc. (AFS) for Bell 407 helicopters.

The certification clears the way for the Bell factory to install the system in new production Bell 407s in Canada. The system also is available to existing Canadian commercial operators of Bell 407s. AFS and Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. performed in-flight snow testing of the system this past winter that aided TCCA approval of the IBF system with no restrictions and full snow clearance.

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.

The AFS system includes a single filter design optimized for hover and forward-flight conditions. It also improves 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 ease of maintenance.

In addition to filtering out more than 99 percent of dirt and sand, AFS filter systems enhance engine performance when compared to inlet particle separators, delivering more engine temperature margin (thus more load carrying capacity), and a greater margin of safety when and where it’s needed. 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 550 systems and over 3,500 filters to military and commercial customers worldwide. Patented AFS filtration systems are now in use and have been very effective on U.S. Army OH-58D and AH/MH-6J helicopters flying in Iraq, accumulating over 200,000 erosion-free flight hours.

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

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For more information, contact:

AFS Engineering Sales and Marketing
Jay Foster
(636) 300-5050
foster@afsfilters.com

or

AAI Marketing and Sales
Rick Lewis
(423) 538-5151
rlewis@aero-access.com