Products
DART announces FAA approval of Round-I-Beam™ Skidtubes for Eurocopter BK117

July 15, 2008 – DART Helicopter Services has announced that their
affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received FAA approval of
their revolutionary Round-I-Beam™ skidtube for the Eurocopter
BK117A1/A3/A4/B1/B2/C1 model aircraft. EASA and Transport Canada
applications have been submitted for approval.

The Dart Round-I-Beam™ skidtube has long been a staple in the rotary
wing industry and has received recognition around the globe for
providing a high quality, easy to install and durable skidtube
solution. In recent years, Dart has extended the advantages of
Round-I-Beam™ technology to an ever increasing variety of aircraft,
including Light and Medium Bell, Eurocopter AS350/355, BO 105, SA 315,
EC 135 and now the BK 117.

DART Round-I-Beam™ skidtubes for Eurocopter BK 117 aircraft are LH/RH
interchangeable. The central I-beam web in DART skidtubes absorbs most
of the impact on landing so the tube maintains its structural integrity
and, even with the addition of a central web, the weight is comparable
to that of conventional skidtubes.  DART BK117 skidtubes come complete
with full length stainless steel wearplates that are installed with a
protective membrane between the tube and the wearplate, virtually
eliminating any galvanic corrosion.

Other features of DART’s Round-I-Beam™ BK117 skidtubes are:

• Round-I-Beam™ construction that is up to 10 times more resistant to damage compared to conventional skidtubes.
• Pre-drilled for compatibility with Bristol WSPS Kit
• Available Settling Protector Kit (modifies skidtube for compatibility with OEM settling protector)

According to Bill Beckett, General Manager of DART Aerospace,“We have
seen so much success with all versions of the I-Beam Skidtube, that we
are pleased to have now added the BK117 to the roster of aircraft who
can take advantage of this durable design.  Our experience has also
allowed us to incorporate compatibility with both the Bristol WSPS and
the OEM Settling Protector.”