News
Donaldson marks 13 years of inlet barrier filter ops in Canada
November 9, 2017 By Donaldson
With the second largest commercial helicopter fleet globally (2,800 helicopters), Canadian operators know the importance of efficient, effective flight operations in one of the most diverse, high utilization environments worldwide. And for more than 13 years, Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc., has helped improve Canadian helicopter operations by reducing engine damage costs through installation of the company’s Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) Systems.
Providing the most comprehensive line of IBF solutions, Donaldson Aerospace & Defense is the industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-performance engine IBF systems for commercial and military propulsion systems.
Donaldson’s most popular IBF systems in Canada are for AS350, Bell 407 and Bell 205 helicopters, with hundreds of these IBFs deployed by fire, utility and corporate operators, including Blackcomb Helicopters, Capitale Hélicoptère, Fireweed Helicopters, Selkirk Mountain Helicopters, Universal Helicopters, Yellowhead Helicopters, and many others.
Whether flying in snow in the Yukon, hot and high firefighting conditions in British Columbia, or coastal weather in Newfoundland, operators equipped with Donaldson IBFs can carry out their missions effectively, with maximum performance, according to Matt Fortuna, general manager of Donaldson Aerospace & Defense. “Donaldson salutes the Canadian operators who trust our IBFs to help protect engines and reduce aircraft operating costs,” said Fortuna. “They are flying important missions across the country.”
Certified with no restrictions, the Donaldson AS350/H125 IBF system allows year-round operations, providing owners with confidence that their engines are fully protected during flight in varying weather conditions. The Donaldson AS350 system features a sealed intake plenum that operators are frequently choosing to replace inlet screens, sand filter/particle separator systems or alternate barrier filters. The design allows easy installation, and an inlet bypass system is standard on each model. An intake bypass capability is an important IBF feature that is lacking in most traditional sand filters/particle separators.
A range of Donaldson IBFs will be on display in booth 505 during the Helicopter Association of Canada’s (HAC) Annual Convention & Trade Show, Nov. 9-11, 2017, in Ottawa, Ont. Visitors to HAC may see oiled and dry media IBFs for Airbus H130 and Bell 407 helicopters and speak with company representatives about their filtration needs.
