St. Louis, MO., July 29, 2004 – Replacing a standard particle separator with a hightechnology Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system was a key factor in the success of a Bell 407 that recently landed at 24,971 feet density altitude during high altitude testing in Nepal, according to officials from Aerospace Filtration Systems and Bell Helicopter.

“ Reaching that altitude would just not be possible in that helicopter equipped with a standard particle separator, the maximum performance was required and our system delivered it” said AFS Engineering Sales and Marketing Manager, Jay Foster. “The engine runs so much cooler with our high efficiency filter. It really gives operators a
measurable performance edge.”

Although AFS filter systems are designed to protect engines from dirt, sand, dust and other debris, they can significantly enhance engine performance by delivering more engine temperature margin over particle separator equipped aircraft.

“ In preparation for our high altitude testing we performed take-offs and landings at 18,000 feet at unprepared landing sites,” said Bell Helicopter Director of Asia Pacific Programs Steven Woolston. “We picked up a lot of debris that might have passed through a particle separator and degraded our engine. We definitely did not want that to happen at these altitudes”. “We would not have wanted to attempt these tests without the AFS inlet barrier filter on-board,” said Bells Program Manager for Light Helicopters Dale Cato.”

In addition to its certified filter for the Bell 407, AFS expects to achieve Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification this September 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.

AFS is the industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of highperformance engine IBF systems for commercial and military propulsion systems. AFS has delivered more than 800 systems and over 5,000 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 helicopters flying in Iraq, accumulating over 300,000 erosion-free flight hours.

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