This website uses cookies
More information
Business Air News
Business Air News
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.
Related background information from the Handbook...
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

Coast Guard Bells gain skidtube protection
When the Canadian Coast Guard came knocking with a problem of overexposure, Dart stepped up to the challenge. The solution is full length protective wearplates designed to prevent damage to OEM skidtubes.
The landing gear on the Canadian Coast Guard's Bell 429 fleet is protected by Dart Aerospace wearplates.

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) owns a fleet of Bell 429 that operates in some of the most demanding, challenging and severe operational and environmental conditions. It cannot, therefore, afford any downtime for skidtube replacements. The 429 skidtubes presently offered on the market are delivered with partial protection, leaving large areas unprotected and subject to damage. To avoid this possible damage to its landing gear, Transport Canada, the entity maintaining the CCG's helicopter fleet, turned to the aftermarket landing gear supplier Dart Aerospace for a solution.

Dart responded by creating full-length wearplates composed of wearpads with tungsten-carbide welds and full-length stainless steel wearplates, compatible with OEM skidtubes. To prevent corrosion, the wearplates have a 'Rockguard-type' rubber inner finish which eliminates gaskets for ease of installation. No drilling is required as they use the existing Bell OEM wearpad inserts and fasteners and include additional clamps to secure the installation.

Other News
 
Partners develop Super Puma aerial firefighting capability
October 18, 2023
The Super Puma system will provide crucial wildfire attack capability for Type 1 rotorcraft such as the Super Puma helicopter family, including new and legacy Airbus H225 and AS332 aircraft.
DART gains approval for Bell 505 utility basket
October 3, 2023
Developed for the utility and VIP market, the basket allows operators to externally carry skis, cargo hooks, tools and equipment, and a variety of other items safely.