The FAA has approved a new aftermarket modification developed by Boundary Layer Research, Inc (BLR) of Everett WA. The new modification termed 'Fast Fin' which is making it's debut at NBAA, is applicable to helicopters of the medium class manufactured by Bell Helicopter such as the 205, 212 and 412, and UH-1 series, and is available in kit form. Patents for the installation/design have been applied for and are pending U.S. patent office approval. Improvements in cruise, yaw, and hover stability are reported.

The modification removes approximately 30% of the trailing edge vertical fin allowing more efficient air flow for the tail rotor and surrounding area reducing drag and increasing tail rotor thrust. Installation of the kit requires approximately twelve man hours using simple sheet metal hand tools.

Early demand for the modification kit by public use operators has caused the company to push back deliveries schedules for civil operators until early next year.

Boundary Layer Research, Inc. (BLR) designs, develops and markets after-market airframe aerodynamic enhancements for Fixed-Wing and Rotor-Wing Aircraft. During a 12 year history of fixed wing projects, BLR has produced no less than forty-nine STC approvals for after-market airframe modifications.

The company's primary product lines have involved airflow manipulation technologies, such as Vortex Generators, Winglets, and Strakes. Entry into rotary wing category in 1998 was centered on a licensing agreement with NASA's Langley Research Center. BLR completed the FAA certification process and now markets a patented NASA design for helicopter tail boom strakes.

NASA's dual strake technology is an inexpensive means of improving handling qualities, improving payload performance, and reducing stress on major flight components for all single rotor helicopters. Company president Bob Desroche has been involved with certification flight test for over twenty years. Gross weight increases, Landing Weight increases with V-speed reductions and handling quality improvements are only a few of the product benefits developed by Mr. Desroche and his team of experts. BLR is a NASA Technology Transfer Licensee and a Boeing Patent Licensee.

FMI: www.blrvgs.com