Offered With Or Without Liferafts On Bell 206, 407 Helos

Dart Helicopter Services told ANN Thursday the company's affiliated partner, Apical Industries, has received EASA approval for their Tri-Bag Emergency Float System. The system is available with and without liferafts for Bell model 206A/B/L/L-1/L-3/L-4 and 407 helicopters.

Companu representatives state the Tri-Bag system is equipped to facilitate aircraft recovery after an emergency water landing, while conserving passenger space and improving safety with an externally mounted, integrated liferaft solution. Tri-Bag Emergency Float Systems weigh only 122 lbs without liferafts, and 169 lbs including the rafts. (206A/B kits weigh 10 lbs less)

Dart states the Tri-Bag Emergency Float System provides the industry's most stable float platform and is designed to allow the aircraft to be recovered by towing after an emergency water landing. 

Each system includes six floats and an inflation reservoir/valve assembly. The floats are deployed manually by a cyclic mounted lever. An optional automatic electrical inflation system has recently been certified. With this new option, two water activated switches are installed on the under-side of the fuselage to provide an automatic back-up to the pilot operated mechanical system.

"This approval comes as a result of our drive to not only develop new products to meet existing needs, but also to extend existing products to new markets by actively pursuing local certifications," said Jeff Shapiro, CEO of Dart Helicopter Services. "Our affiliated partners have worked diligently and the culmination of their effort is that over 30 new certifications were received in 2006. We plan to continue to seek further approvals in 2007."

The patented integrated design of the Apical Liferaft system conserves valuable passenger space and provides a significant safety benefit over cabin mounted options. The two six-man Liferafts are integrated with the mid-floats and include twin-tubes, full canopies and survival kits.

FMI: www.darthelicopterservices.com