New website launched
Our new website has been launched on the 2nd of September. It has been an extremely busy year for the Flight Structures team with several large EMS projects in design, certification and production, a busy time in the Ag Sector, SMS Implementation well underway and an office refit.
The website will be added to regularly with new photos, products and features. You can also check out our facebook page for client stories, or our linked in page via the links at the bottom of the page.
NZAAA Recognise Murray McGregor
Recently in Auckland the NZAAA (New Zealand Agricultural Aircraft Association) awarded Murray with an award recognising his pursuit of operational excellence through his time in the industry.
Murray McGregor is the most successful and influential agricultural aircraft design engineer in New Zealand. His vast reservoir of knowledge and experience accumulated over almost 50 years encompass all aspects of light aircraft and design and certification.
The Pacific Aerospace 750 XL, CT/4E, and Cresco 08-600 aircraft are all products of Murray’s engineering skills and reflect his design style which focusses on simple effective systems and efficient light weight structures. The agricultural aviation industry respect and admire Murray for his continued efforts to develop and improve agricultural aircraft to cope with New Zealand unique conditions, which has led to immense safety improvements.
Murray led the modification programme to reconfigure the 750 XL for agricultural work for Farmers Air. The result, the Falco 3000, is one of the best Ag aircrafts in the world. He is currently working on the Diesel Air conversion of the FU24-950/954.
Intern Programme at Flight Structures
Flight Structures has employed interns for many years. We can see the benefits for our team, and for the engineering community. Here is a short video about our intern programme which was put together by the University of Waikato to promote their engineering school. For more information about the University of Waikato please refer to this link.
LEONARDO AW 169 – EMS – MEDICAL OXYGEN SYSTEM GAINS STC
It has been an extremely busy period for Flight Structures and we are delighted that we gained a second AW169 STC in 2019.
Medical Oxygen STC achieved for Leonardo AW169
It has been an extremely busy period for Flight Structures and we are delighted that we gained a second AW169 STC in 2019. This system was developed in conjunction with Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT). The system stores the oxygen cylinder remote from the main cabin, with access from an external door. A contents monitor is in the main cabin which is visible by the medical crew from all seated positions. A low pressure alarm and shut off valve are provided for added safety. Two outlets in the ceiling can supply a ventilator and / or patient mask and are positioned perfectly to suit the patient on the Flight Structures RULS stretcher system.
LEONARDO AW 169 – EMS – STRETCHER LOADING SYSTEM GAINS STC
We are proud to announce that the RULS (Rotorcraft Utility Loading System) for the Leonardo AW169 has achieved a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC).
First STC achieved for Westpac Rescue Auckland
We are proud to announce that the RULS (Rotorcraft Utility Loading System) for the Leonardo AW169 has achieved a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). The system has the stretcher in the longitudinal position for flight but is able to rotate to the transverse position for ground loading. The RULS may also be used in flight for loading during External Hoist Operations.
To see the RULS in action then you can view this TVNZ news clip
There will be more details to come about other role equipment developed for this aircraft, allowing clinical staff to treat patients in flight to provide best medical outcomes.
Flight Structures is coming to the end of a large project for Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) with an EMS fitout of their two new AW169 rotorcraft.
HELICOPTER PERFORMANCE STC GAINED FOR NORTHLAND EMERGENCY SERVICES TRUST
Flight Structures has recently been successful in helping Northland Emergency Services Trust gain an STC for their new Sikorsky S76.
Flight Structures has recently been successful in helping Northland Emergency Services Trust gain an STC for their new Sikorsky S76.
We thank NEST for their support during this project as well as John King for the fantastic cover photo.
FSL IN THE NEWS: AIR AMBULANCE ON COVER OF NZ AVIATION NEWS
Flight Structures is proud to be one of the organisations involved with the refit of the Westpac Air Ambulance.
Flight Structures is proud to be one of the organisations involved with the refit of the Westpac Air Ambulance. Flight Structures, in conjunction with Philips Search and Rescue Trust has developed a stretcher loading system for the MU-2 Westpac Air Ambulance.
The key features of this product include the following :
There is no lifting required from paramedics or pilots.
The secure smooth loading system leads to reduced patient stress.
The system has the ability to handle bariatric patients.
Patient loading onto the aircraft is quick, less than two minutes from beginning to end.
STC Approved under the CAANZ.
In operation for over six months now, Philips Search and Rescue Trust are very happy with the performance of the system.
Click here to read the article about the Westpac Air Ambulance.
HELISIKA SUCCESSFUL WITH BIKE RACK STC
Flight Structures has been successful in gaining an STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) for Helisika.
Flight Structures has been successful in gaining an STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) for Helisika. The new bicycle racks fit onto AS350 helicopters for adventure tourism clients. This STC allows bicycle racks to be placed on the left hand or both skids of the rotorcraft, allowing up to six bikes to be carried by the helicopter.
Chris Raynes, Senior Certification Engineer commented “The bike rack design is very effective, using a simple method to secure the bicycles to individual troughs. The bicycles can be quickly loaded/unloaded from the helicopter clear of the cabin doors speeding up turnaround times.”
For more information about heli-biking or Helisika please refer to their website www.helisika.co.nz
FAA and CAANZ STC FOR R66 SPRAY SYSTEM
Flight Structures has worked with Airlift Technologies to successfully gain Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) for a spray system for R66 Helicopters.
Flight Structures has worked with Airlift Technologies to successfully gain Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) for a spray system for R66 Helicopters.
What is a STC? A Type Certificate (TC) is issued when an applicant has received FAA approval to modify an aeronautical product from its original design. The STC, which incorporates by reference the related TC, approves not only the modification but also how that modification affects the original design, (from FAA Website)
Flight Structures Ltd certified the re-design of the spray system for the Robinson R66 turbine rotorcraft.
Originally certified in 2012 for use in slurry delivery, the new system has been optimized for sale as conventional spray application equipment by Airlift Technologies Ltd
Due to the recently signed bilateral agreement between NZCAA and the FAA, this system is available for purchase by operators in the US and other FAA aligned countries.
For enquiries contact airlifttechnologies.nz@gmail.com
NOSE CONES FOR WESTPAC RESCUE-AUCKLAND
Flight Structures fitted two weatherproof nose cones to Westpac Rescue – Auckland for ZK-HLN & ZK-HKZ, their BK117-850 D2 Helicopters.
Flight Structures fitted two weatherproof nose cones to Westpac Rescue – Auckland for ZK-HLN & ZK-HKZ, their BK117-850 D2 Helicopters. Rescue aircraft have to work in a wide variety of conditions, and this modification ensures cockpit avionics remain dry. The modified profile accommodates the weather radar. Jon Kerr, CEO of Flight Structures commented, “We managed to supply the nose cones within a tight timeline, and worked effectively with the crew to ensure a successful installation. The end result was excellent, and the Trust are extremely happy with the performance of the nose cones."
The Auckland based Westpac Rescue Helicopter is staffed full-time by a highly experienced flight crew consisting of pilots, paramedics and crewmen, and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Here is a link to their website.