Las Vegas, NV – February 26, 2018 – StandardAero and Papillon Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 40 retrofittable Crash-Resistant Fuel Tanks (CRFTs) in support of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters’ fleet of Airbus AS350 B3 and EC130 B4 tour aircraft. Installation of the first CRFT will take place this April.
“Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters has made the commitment to lead our industry by retrofitting our tour fleet with recently FAA certified crash resistant fuel systems,” says Lon Halvorson, owner and executive vice president, Papillon Airways.
“We are humbled and honored to have been entrusted by Papillon to support their fleet of AS350 B3s and EC130 B4s,” said Rick Stine, President of StandardAero Components, Helicopters & Accessories. “Papillon is a tremendous partner and advocate of the crash-resistant fuel tank for the helicopter industry. As a leading tour operator, Papillon knows what this product means to the industry.”
The CRFT has been developed by StandardAero (formerly Vector Aerospace) and Robertson Fuel Systems as a direct replacement for all AS350 models, including the AS350 C, AS350 D/D1, AS350 B/B1/B2/BA/B3 and AS350 B3e (H125), as well as for the EC130 B4. The tank’s unique design features a robust crash-resistant fuel bladder, offering the same capacity as the legacy fuel cell and uses several innovations including magnetic field sensor fuel gauging technology and vent system roll-over protection. The CRFT is compliant with the latest FAR Part 27.952 fuel system crash resistance requirements, even when used in combination with a cargo swing.
Public and regulatory focus on enhanced helicopter safety has continued to grow since the CRFT was first unveiled in 2015. The FAA Reauthorization Act now includes an amendment requiring the FAA to make helicopter owners aware of fuel system retrofits and to urge them to install retrofits “as soon as practicable.”
Customers can learn more about the retrofittable crash-resistant fuel tank for the Airbus AS350/EC130 family, including full technical specifications, maintenance features, and ordering information, by visiting www.vectoraerospace.com/airframeservices/airbushelicopters/crashresistantfueltank.aspx .
StandardAero is one of the world's largest independent providers of services including engine and airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, engineering services, interior completions and paint applications. StandardAero serves a diverse array of customers in business and general aviation, airline, military, helicopter, components and energy markets. The company celebrated its 100th year of industry leadership in 2011. In 2015, StandardAero was purchased by Veritas Capital, a leading private equity firm headquartered in New York City. Veritas invests in companies that provide critical products and services to government and commercial customers worldwide including those operating in aerospace & defense, healthcare, technology, national security, communications, energy and education. More information can be found on the company's web site at www.standardaero.com.
