Features MRO
Bell 206 & 407 Round iBeam Skidtubes

Nov. 27, 2009 – DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their affiliated partner, DART Aerospace Ltd., has received Brazilian ANAC approval of their patented revolutionary Round-I-Beam™ Skidtube for the Bell 206, 206A, 206B, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4 and Bell 407 model of aircrafts.

DART believed that conventional skidtubes were under-designed and ill-equipped to face the critical landing conditions encountered when landing on uneven ground, rocks, tree roots, and other small objects.  Under these conditions, simple round tubes tend to puncture, dent and bend because they cannot maintain their shape.

DART’s revolutionary patented Round-I-Beam™ technology combines the conventional round tube with the strength of the I-beam made from 6061-T6 aluminum.

In DART skidtubes, the central I-beam web absorbs most of the impact on landing so the tube maintains its integrity.  Even with the addition of a central web, the weight is comparable to that of conventional skidtubes.

DART Skidtubes for Bell 206 and 407 are available for low and high gear and for standard and float configurations.  All skidtubes are offered with full length stainless steel wearplates and smaller tungsten carbide welded wearpads for standard protection.  For superior protection on the 206A/B, DART also offers run-on landing wearplates that provide full coverage and feature a heavy duty tungsten carbide weld intended to withstand the rigors of the training environment.

“DART skidtubes have been operating in the harshest environments for 14 years.  Now our round I-beam technology will be providing its advantages to the tough training milieu.”  Quote provided by Bill Beckett, General Manager, DART Aerospace Ltd.

For more information visit: www.darthelicopterservices.com