Oregon-Based Bird Doesn't Rest Often

Aero-News learned this week a K-MAX helicopter recently reached an impressive operational milestone... accumulating 20,000 flight hours over the past 12 years. It is the first K-MAX to have flown 20,000 hours; the worldwide K-MAX fleet has flown more than 212,000 hours.

The record-setting K-MAX is owned and operated by Woody Contracting in Summerville, OR. The company provides a range of logging, firefighting and construction-related services, specializing in providing helicopter support in environmentally sensitive areas where ground operations are not possible. Its K-MAX averages 1,700 flight hours a year.

"The K-MAX 20,000-hour milestone is a testament to the aircraft’s ruggedness and reliability," said Terry Fogarty, Director, K-MAX Programs.

The distinctive K-MAX is designed for vertical reference flight, an important feature for external load work. It has a 5,000-pound on-the-hook lift capacity at 8,000 feet of altitude, and 6,000 pounds on-the-hook at lower altitudes. K-MAX is capable of precisely placing its loads in confined or nearly inaccessible areas, while maintaining its performance, even at high altitudes and high temperatures.

In March, Kaman Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Systems Integration signed an agreement that will provide an opportunity for the parties to work together to develop potential government programs involving the K-MAX helicopter.

FMI: www.kaman.com