Deal For CompositeTail Rotor Blade STC
Bell Helicopter has signed a
distribution agreement with Van Horn Aviation LLC for the 206
composite tail rotor blade supplemental type certificate (STC) No.
SR02249LA.
This STC allows for installation of the Van Horn composite tail
rotor blade onto the Bell 206B and 206L series aircraft. The
composite tail rotor blade is easily identifiable with its three
high visibility stripes and carries its own unique part number
2062200-301. It is available exclusively through Aeronautical
Accessories
"We recognize our customers' need for improved, cost-competitive
replacement parts and are committed to finding ways of increasing
productivity and reducing direct maintenance costs of our
aircraft," said R. Danny Maldonado, Senior Vice President and Chief
Services Officer, Bell Helicopter. "Bell Helicopter has and will
continue to develop strategic relationships, such as the one with
Van Horn Aviation, to help us accomplish this goal."
The composite tail rotor STC offers customers the advantages
of:
- 3-year, 1,500 hour non-prorated warranty
- Composite material for corrosion resistance
- Reduction in tail rotor noise signature
- Increase in tail rotor authority at higher altitudes
- 5,000 hour life for reduction in direct maintenance costs
Bell Helicopter Engineering has reviewed and assessed this STC
from a design, manufacture and certification standpoint.
(L-R) Kimie Lishman, R. Danny Maldonado, Bell; James Van
Horn, Dean Resenlof, Van Horn LLC; Warren Moseley, Bell; Jennifer
Lunceford, Aeronautical Accessories
"Bell Helicopter firmly believes that all flight critical parts
used on Bell aircraft should meet our own stringent requirements
for safety and reliability,' said Maldonado. "This STC allows us to
provide our customers with a product that not only adds value to
their mission, but also meets Bell Helicopter's rigorous
engineering standards."
This distribution agreement is part of Bell Helicopter's ongoing
strategy to maintain the mission capabilities and cost
competitiveness of its legacy aircraft. In certain instances, that
strategy includes developing relationships with strategic third
party providers to help realize this goal.
Bell Helicopter also develops, tests, and certifies
market-competitive replacement parts through Aeronautical
Accessories (AA) using Bell Helicopter engineering to ensure full
compatibility with aircraft design.