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STARS Equips Fleet with AKV Cycle Counters from DART Helicopter Services

AKV engine cycle counters from DART Helicopter Services (DHS)

May 4, 2010, Oceanside, CA – The Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) recently equipped its fleet of five Eurocopter BK117s with AKV engine cycle counters from DART Helicopter Services (DHS).

Engine manufacturers require engine cycle counting for maintenance purposes, and turbine engine cycle counters are an efficient, effective alternative to relying on pilots or maintainers to collect the necessary data.

“Using cycle counters is a great way for any operator to immediately improve the bottom line,” said Jeff Shapiro, president of DHS. “This is especially important for a non-profit group doing important work like STARS.”

Operating from three bases in Alberta, Canada, STARS provides emergency care and transport to severely ill and injured patients. As a non-profit, charitable organization, STARS actively seeks opportunities to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. “AKV engine cycle counters will help STARS realize maximum operating cycle life from its engines”, Shapiro said.

In addition to reduced operating costs and increased engine cycle life, AKV engine cycle counters deliver a high degree of accuracy and an optional data stream for automatic data transfer. In addition, the AKV cycle counter has the ability to track both Ng and Np cycles.

Operating continuously for the past 25 years, STARS has flown approximately 19,000 missions. The STARS vision of saving lives is supported by four pillars: patient care and transport, emergency medical communications, education and research, and fundraising and community support.