GARDEN CITY HELICOPTERS HEAD TO VANUATU FOR RELIEF WORK

Garden City Helicopters, based in Christchurch, has sent two helicopters to Vanuatu for disaster relief, after Cyclone Pam caused widespread destruction on the islands. These aircraft will be used to deliver aid, assist with medical evacuations and repairing telecommunications. Garden City already has a subsidiary company in Vanuatu, Vanuatu Helicopters, who operate an R44 and an R66.

Flight Structures was involved in the certification of the ferry fuel systems (a ferry fuel system involves an auxiliary tank being added to the aircraft to extend the range) to get the AS350 and BK117 to the islands. We had one senior engineer based in Christchurch to be on site for the install, and another being based in our office, both working with the CAA to ensure a very quick turnaround.

Click here for a link to the Garden City Helicopters website.

EASA STC AWARDED TO AIRWORK BK117-850D-2

We are proud to announce that EASA has awarded Airwork (NZ) Ltd STC approval for the BK117-850D2. The remarkable new engine upgrade that is proving hugely popular with operators throughout Australia, New Zealand, and surrounding countries will now be available for use in European countries, and countries which recognise EASA STC approval.

The award concludes a thorough certification program, run by Flight Structures Ltd in conjunction with Airwork (NZ), Honeywell, and AeroDAC.

Flight Structures Engineer Henry Dumbleton remarks "The project has been punctuated by some really spectacular moments. We 've flown to some amazing places and worked with very talented people. The project has really come together and we're ecstatic with the result for our client".

The project is technically very satisfying from an engineering perspective, with the development of a specific BK117 performance modeling program and culminating in dramatic demonstrations of the helicopters new capabilities.

Flight Structures has enjoyed working with EASA on this project and looks forward to bringing more New Zealand and Australian aeronautical products into the international market

AIRWORK (NZ)’S BK117-850D2 TAKES TO THE SKIES OVER AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Airwork (NZ)’s BK117-850D2 has taken to the skies over Australia and New Zealand, with approval in Europe and America set to follow.

Flight Structures has led a highly successful certification program for the BK-117B-2, which concluded May 2010 with the issue of a NZCAA Supplementary Type Certificate. Flight Structures has worked closely with Airwork (NZ) and Honeywell on the development of the BK117-850D2, which incorporates the latest technology 850 hp engines from Honeywell, with spectacular performance results that have exceeded expectations.
One of the most challenging aspects of the program was the determination and validation of improved performance. For this Flight Structures Ltd designed and developed a computer based performance model to map the engine installation, rotor performance, and airframe aerodynamics to predict all aspects of the performance envelope.

Flight Structures flight test engineers validated the calculated performance over several month of testing, culminating in flawless demonstrations of Category A vertical take-off simulated engine failures at maximum certified weight on a hot summers day.

The successful management of this project has shown that Flight Structures has the knowledge, experience, and capacity to deal with large-scale international projects, and deliver quality results on time with excellent value for money.

Flight Structures continues to work with Airwork (NZ) on EASA and FAA approval of the BK117-850D2 expected late 2010/early 2011.