St. Louis, MO., Sept. 9, 2004 – Aerospace Filtration Systems (AFS) has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) system for Bell 206L3 and L4 helicopters. This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification will enable Bell 206L3/L4 operators to maximize engine protection while enjoying a wide range of performance and cost benefits associated with these unique, high-technology filters.

The increased capabilities offered by the system are especially important to light utility helicopter operators flying air medical, search and rescue, and airborne law enforcement missions, AFS officials say.

Installation of the system is easy with replacement of the existing inlet screen or Engine Air Particle Separator (EAPS) installed in the current engine inlet fairing. The newly certified system is virtually identical to the AFS system certified for the Bell 407. It includes a single-filter design with a quick-access door that makes filter replacement fast and easy. Filter maintenance may be performed without the cumbersome job of removing the inlet fairing, something that is not possible with EAPS or other barrier filter systems. The AFS system also incorporates a unique progressive filter maintenance aid that allows operators to track filter condition between the service cycle of 300 hours or one year.

Later this year AFS also expects to obtain FAA certification for the same filtration system installed on the Bell 206L1/C30 helicopters, an upgraded 206L1 to the 206L3 configuration. AFS designed the Bell 407/206L3/4 IBF system to be fully interchangeable with the Bell 206L1/C30 configuration. The common AFS design configuration between the family of Bell Long Ranger helicopters allows operators to benefit from common parts and service for single, multiple, and mixed-fleet operators.

AFS systems filter out more than 99 percent of dirt and sand while actually enhancing engine performance, especially when compared to inlet particle separators or less capable filter systems. Operators who equip their helicopters with AFS filtration systems gain 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 inlet barrier filtration systems for commercial and military propulsion systems. AFS has delivered more than 800 systems and 5,000 filters to military and commercial customers worldwide. In addition to its newly certified system for the Bell 206L3/4, AFS produces filter systems for the Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and 407, the MD Helicopters AH/MH-6 Little Bird and MD 500, and the Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk.

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

# # #

For more information, contact:

Aerospace Filtration Systems, Inc.
Jay Foster
Engineering Sales and Marketing
(636) 300-5050
foster@afsfilters.com

Aeronautical Accessories, Inc.
Rick Lewis
Vice President Marketing
1-800-251-7094
rlewis@aero-access.com