18 minute read
WHAT IS AN INLET BARRIER FILTER?
San Diego Fire-Rescue uses the inlet barrier filter on their S-70i Fire Hawk.
By Lorie Symon and Brian Kellogg
Located in Northern California, Aerometals is no stranger to wildfires. Recently the company experienced the CALDOR fire firsthand. This fire burned in excess of 220,000 acres of state and federal forest. The company expressed gratitude to firefighters that were responsible for saving the homes of multiple employees.
Due to the increase in fire activity in the state of California, the Sikorsky Fire Hawk is quickly becoming the helicopter of choice for our state and local fire departments. Straight from the Lockheed Martin website, “Born a Black Hawk helicopter, the Sikorsky Fire Hawk aircraft relies on its proven military design to endure the unrelenting physical stress demanded of the aerial firefighting and utility mission.” One of these stressors is wildfire smoke. How do smoke and the particles it contains affect engines?
Enter the Aerometals Engine Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF). Almost every engine utilized in our everyday lives has an air filter - your car, motorcycle, even your lawnmower. That air filter is essential to the maintenance and longevity of the engine. Helicopter engines, however, do not. The addition of an inlet barrier filter to the aircraft significantly reduces the number of airborne particles that are ingested into the engine. Aerometals (through its predecessor FDC/Aerofilters) has been a pioneer in the development of Engine Inlet Barrier Filter systems for helicopters since 1987. To date, Aerometals has delivered nearly 3,000 systems worldwide. As a vertically integrated developer and manufacturer, all systems are designed, developed, certified, and manufactured by Aerometals. The newest product offering is the H60/S70 Inlet Barrier Filter. It has been designed utilizing the latest technologies, extensively tested, and certified by the FAA.
The filter itself is a pleated and oil-impregnated design that results in up to 99.3% capture efficiency. The filter collects sand, dirt, and debris that is then washed away instead of being ingested into the engine. This in turn significantly reduces erosion to engine components and foreign object damage. Not only do filters extend engine life, but they also reduce engine overhaul costs and aircraft downtime. The filter media will also extract up to 96% of salt nuclei from the air in a marine environment. ➤
Inlet Barrier Filters such as the one featured above for the Sikorsky Fire Hawk significantly reduce the number of airborne particles that can be ingested into engines.
IBF's are also used by powerline service companies like California based PJ Helicopters.
During operation, the IBF collects contamination from the air. All Aerometals IBF Systems include a pressure transducer or pressure switch that monitors the blockage level of the filters. If a filter collects enough contamination, a lowpressure annunciation indicator will illuminate in the cockpit. The pilot may then open the bypass doors, continue their mission, and clean the filter elements at the next opportunity. Bypass doors provide alternate airflow that results in power recovery and ensures continued safe flight and landing. The H60/S70 IBF was designed with a large bypass opening that utilizes ram airflow to ensure I00% recovery.
An IBF also normalizes temperature distortion. Turbine engines are sensitive to large variations in temperature, most commonly present in firefighting operations. This can result in turbine engine “popping” and blade damage or compressor stalls and engine flameouts. The addition of an IBF has been shown to normalize this condition and prevent the “popping” and compressor stalls due to temperature distortion.
Many have questioned how installing an IBF affects power and performance. The addition of an IBF results in slightly more inlet differential pressure than an unfiltered engine. This requires the engine to spin faster to provide the same airflow. It is the same effect seen on a partially degraded or eroded engine. The operator will see this in the form of a minor reduction in the engine health margin. However, once the IBF is installed, the engine health margin will be protected and maintained. An unfiltered engine will continue to degrade at a faster rate.
After installation of most IBFs, certified minimum allowable engine health, or power available, is not reduced. The operator will continue to monitor engine health using the existing check process. Aircraft performance of the unfiltered aircraft is guaranteed for engines passing their associated engine health check, meaning the engines are producing minimum or better power. Since this minimum acceptable engine health/ power remains unchanged after installation of the IBF system, aircraft performance is not reduced.
By reducing erosion due to airborne particles, preventing FOD, withstanding Bird Strikes, and preserving power margins, Inlet Barrier Filters extend engine life, reduce overhaul costs, and reduce aircraft downtime. In operations such as firefighting where mission readiness is critical, IBFs provide another line of defense to keep these aircraft flying.
Coulson Aviation CU-47s Arrive for Australian Fire Season
Image and story by Dave Sodestrom
Fire Season 2021/22 in Australia looks a little different this year with regards to the Type 1 helicopter fleet. Traditionally the domain of the S-64 Air-Crane there is now a new type available to Australia’s fire agencies.
The National Aerial Firefighting Council (NAFC) in conjunction with Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) announced the awarding of two contracts to Coulson Aviation Australia to supply the CU-47 Chinook to both the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and the Victorian State Government with a single example.
The next evolution of the Type 1 Helicopters in Australia is now here with the both machines N40CU and N42CU now available in NSW and Victoria respectively. The two machines arrived at the docks in Melbourne, Victoria where they were assembled and flown out to be positioned at their new operating bases at RAAF Richmond for N40CU and Essendon Fields Airport for N42CU.
When Coulson-Unical took procession of the CH-47D, they went into heavy maintenance resets. The heavy maintenance consisted of structure mods, avionics upgrades, and the installation of the RADS-L system. Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS), capable of carrying 3000 US-gal. (11,356. lt.). The RADS-L is an internal tank system with controllable doors to disperse firefighting fluids at a constant flow rate and desired quantity through the belly of the aircraft.
The Coulson Boeing CH-47Ds will be fitted with the new RADS-L 3000 US-gal (11356 lt.) internal tank. The CH47D has a retractable snorkel fitted which does not place any restriction on the forward speed of the helicopter. The CH-47D is a restricted Category aircraft and does not carry passengers. Currently there is no ability to carry cargo within the helicopter because of the tank installation. The CH47D fitted with the RADS-L cannot carry an external underslung load either bucket or cargo because of the lower hull modifications undertaken to install the RADS-L delivery system. The CH-47D has the ability to be ground filled by retardant and any other approved suppressant and the delivery system is fitted with Class-A foam and polymer (Gel) injection capability.
The Coulson Boeing CH-47Ds will be fitted with the new RADS-L 3000 US-gal (11356 lt.) internal tank. The CH-47D has a retractable snorkel fitted which does not place any restriction on the forward speed of the helicopter. The CH-47D is a restricted Category aircraft and does not carry passengers.
Next Gen Retardant Aerial Delivery System
Coulson has been recognised as world leaders when it comes to new and innovative technologies with its Next Gen-RADS series of delivery systems. Modifications to the controller employ the latest digital processing technology to optimize the flight crew interface keeping it simple, clean, and intuitive while customizing and optimizing every aspect of the payload delivery. Some of the unique features of the RADS Next Gen Controller are:
• Intuitive Multi Touch Screen Display (MTSD) • Standard Drop or GPS Drop Functionality
GPS Drop which allows the pilots to input a set of coordinates marking the start point and end point (if required) so the pilots can focus on flying the correct altitude and heading and the tank will automatically start its drop at the correct location
If there are multiple Coulson Next Gen RADS equipped airtankers operating together, the systems can communicate with each other and they can transmit the ending coordinates of the drop to the next airtanker automatically providing the starting coordinates for the next drop
Loading Screen where the flight crew can select the exact quantity of product they want loaded, along with the type (water, gel, retardant, etc), and in either Standard or GPS Drop modes, the system monitors the Radar Altimeter and GPS Ground Speed, biasing the doors in real time to ensure the desired coverage is reached on the ground.
Another unique feature is the retractable snorkel which deploys from underneath the airframe and is then rolled up to be mounted flush with the rest of the airframe. The advantage of this means that the aircraft has no airspeed restriction allowing faster transit times to and from the fire ground and allows for the helicopter taxi in after a drop being performed without the obstacle of a hose lying underneath the aircraft.
As with an industry, the evolution to a Chinook from the early days of smaller single engine rotary platforms also sees items like the tank size greatly increase. As mentioned the CU-47 is fitted with a 11,000 litre tanks installed making them the largest capacity helicopters flying in Australia now.
The Coulson flight crew are equipped with ANVIS-7 nightvision goggles and the cockpit are night-vision-goggle (NVG)-compatible. Going forward the Coulson CU-47s will be a feature in NSW and Victoria with the company securing a four-year contract to operate them in support of fire fighters on the ground.
The two Chinooks, are joined by a single example of the Sikorsky S-61 on contract in Victoria with the Lockheed C-130Q covering New South Wales, along with the NSWRFS/Coulson operated Bell 412, Cessna Citation and Boeing 737 Fireliner fleet. Western Australia is also covered with a 737 Fireliner based there currently with the support of the Australian Federal Government.
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Group Including Bridger Leadership to Buy Ansett Flight Training
Ansett training is the last business entity left after the collapse of the Australian Airline. Ansett has continued to grow and remain profitable over the years.
Ansett Aviation Training, a global flight simulator training organization that was once part of Australia's second-largest domestic airline is set to be sold to a new consortium if Australian regulators agree to the pending sale, valued at over 100 million dollars.
The consortium aims to purchase Ansett Aviation training consisting of the leadership of Montana-based Bridger Aerospace, Virgin Airlines Australia owners Bain Capital and Australian-based Arcadia Capital.
Ansett Aviation Training is the sole surviving business entity of Ansett Airways that spectacularly went bankrupt in March of 2001, stranding passengers and leaving thousands without jobs after the 65-yearold airline ceased operations overnight. The company's training arm, which grew out of the company headquarters in Melbourne was however spared as the only entity that was able to turn a profit as the company folded. In 2004 the Ansett Aviation Training company was bought by two Australian businessmen, who continued to operate and build the company, adding investment from Champ Ventures in 2012.
The company went on to add flight training centers in Brisbane, Australia, Taiwan, and Italy over the years, operating flight simulators for the Boeing 737, Airbus A320, Beechcraft Kingair models, Fokker 100, and Viking/Canadair CL-415.
David Garside, CEO of Ansett Aviation Training, said while providing a comment to Australian Aviation magazine that the announcement was “an important next step” in the company’s ongoing response to the “challenges” of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Due to COVID-related disruptions our business had become over-levered, and our assets underutilized,” Garside said.
“We need further assistance to recover and believe that with the financial and strategic support of ATP we will be well placed to prosper long-term. We welcome the agreement with Aviation Training Partners and will work closely with ATP to implement it.”
“As the launch customer of the CL-415EAF, the leadership of Bridger Aerospace (BA) is thrilled to be part of the Aviation Training Partners consortium.” said Tim Sheehy, CEO of Bridger Aerospace when asked by AerialFire Magazine to comment on the purchase, “Our goal is to seek every opportunity to enhance the safety and effectiveness of the CL series of aircraft. We believe the partnership with Ansett Aviation Training will expand and strengthen our training standards to provide our customers with exceptional aerial firefighting operations. We must deliver on our mission to protect life, property, and habitat.”
Hearst Ventures Invests in GPMS and its Breakthrough Technology for Monitoring the Health of Helicopters
GPMS International, Inc. announced January 11, 2021, investment by New York-based Hearst Ventures for its Series A-1 round. DiamondStream Partners, who led the Series A round in February 2021, also participated. The company raised $7.3 million in the two rounds.
GPMS has developed proprietary technology that’s key to effectively detect faults on complex machines. Its product, Foresight MX, integrates this technology into a comprehensive health and performance monitoring system that provides predictive analytics needed to ensure the safety, asset reliability, and maintenance efficiency of aircraft, other vehicles and industrial machines.
President of GPMS Jed Kalkstein said, “Hearst has outstanding expertise in SaaS business dynamics and a broad footprint in mobility and aviation. Their involvement, alongside DiamondStream, propels GPMS forward on our mission to make machine health monitoring ubiquitous. We’re excited to deliver its benefits to more machines – and more people.”
In the aviation segment, Foresight MX provides a predictive health and usage monitoring system to support a smart, connected fleet. The system has now been FAA certified on a wide range of rotorcraft platforms from Bell, Airbus, and MD Helicopters. The company offers Foresight both directly to operators and through OEM agreements.
Hearst Ventures Senior Managing Director Ken Bronfin said, “When we saw the technology and its ability to dramatically improve a helicopter’s availability, reliability and safety, it was clear that all rotorcrafts should have Foresight MX onboard.”
“At the same time,” Bronfin continued, “We saw the potential to bring this predictive maintenance technology to the new generation of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and drones now in development.”
Hearst owns CAMP Systems, one of the aviation industry’s leading aircraft maintenance software services companies. Hearst Ventures has backed a number of SaaS mobility companies including Robotic Skies, Zendrive, Otonomo, Via and Maven Machines. Bronfin will join the GPMS board.
GPMS’ Foresight MX system is 90% lighter and seven times more accurate than traditional rotorcraft monitoring systems and adds a predictive Remaining Useful Life capability critical to asset optimization. These dramatic, patented advances make it ideal for the fast-growing eVTOL/unmanned aircraft systems (UAL) segment which needs flight and machine monitoring to enhance safety and lower operating costs.
Demonstrating the capability to adapt the system to other sectors, GPMS recently completed a government-funded demonstration project with AM General on US Army HUMVEE vehicles.
About GPMS
GPMS International, Inc. offers a next generation, predictive Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) designed to give rotorcraft and other operators of complex equipment the power to “Know it before it matters.” Its flagship Foresight MX solution provides Machine Condition Monitoring, Rotor Track and Balance, and Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring in one powerful system. Fully predictive, Foresight offers insights needed to optimize maintenance, safety and operations. GPMS has reengineered the HUMS category to put its advantages within reach of every operator, making all helicopters smarter and more connected. To learn why today’s fleets depend on Foresight, visit https://www.gpms-vt.com.
About Hearst Ventures
Hearst Ventures is the global venture capital division of Hearst, a leading global, diversified media, information and services company with more than 360 businesses. Founded in 1995, the group has grown to become one of the most active and successful corporate venture funds with more than $1 billion invested to date.
About DiamondStream Partners
DiamondStream Partners is building the leading investment institution devoted to creating the next generation mobility ecosystem. We invest around the concept of cost-effective speed. We invest in post revenue companies in aviation and aerospace.
Coulson Set to Sell Martin Mars Water Bomber
The Iconic Martin Mars aircraft made famous in World War II and the Korean War is now for sale after decades as an aerial firefighter.
The iconic Hawaii Mars, known for its years of fighting British Columbia’s wildfires, is on the market for a cool $5 million with aviation broker Platinum Fighter Sales.
The 1945 Martin JRM-3 Mars is said to be in excellent condition with an upgraded cockpit and the interior and exterior being touted as a 9 out of 10 it is also stated that Hawaii Mars last underwent annual flight inspections in 2016.
According to the listing Hawaii Mars “Will be sold with current Annual at the asking price, ‘As Is Where Is.”
The massive flying boat was designed as a patrol bomber during the Second World War and saw service as a transport aircraft and air ambulance during WWII and the Korean War.
Only five of the aircraft were built by manufacturer Martin, and just two examples (Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars) survive today, both of which are owned by Coulson Aviation and stored at Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island.
Receiving it’s firefighting conversion in the 1950’s this enormous flying boat fought fires for decades, battling its last B.C. wildfire in 2016, during a 30-day contract with the BC provincial government.
Both of Coulson Aviation’s Mars flying boats were converted to water bombers, and with a water capacity of 7,200 USG each, they were the largest firefighting aircraft worldwide until 2006.
Wayne Coulson stated, “ The Martin Mars aircraft and crews have served as critical support in both its military and civilian life and we’re looking to find an individual that will respect and care for the aircraft as much as we and its previous owners have.”
According to Platinum Fighter Sales, of the two remaining Martin Mars bombers, only Hawaii Mars remains airworthy.
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