Description
We believe that conventional skidtubes are under-designed for the types of landings most helicopters encounter. Conventional skidtubes are ill-equipped to face the critical loading conditions encountered when landing on uneven ground. Under these conditions, simple round tubes tend to puncture, dent and bend because they cannot maintain their shape. DART Aerospace’s revolutionary patented Round-I-Beam™ technology combines the conventional round tube with the strength of the I-beam made from 6061-T6 aluminum. In DART Aerospace skidtubes, the central I-beam web absorbs most of the impact on landing so the tube maintains its integrity. Even with the addition of a central web, the weight is comparable to that of conventional skidtubes. Comes standard with full-length tungsten carbide welded wearplates. Also now available with heavier duty run-on landing wearplates that feature 2 full-length stainless steel wear bars with more areas of generously overlaid highly wear resistant tungsten carbide compared to any other available wearplates.
*Includes full-length stainless steel wearplates and saddles. Compatible on DART and OEM Crosstubes. For 214B / B-1 models, the DART D205-634-XXX Skidtubes must be installed with the DART D212-664-XXX Crosstubes. Compatible with L8500R-1/-2 Airglass Ski on Bell 212/412.
Key Features
- Now TCCA/FAA/EASA approved to 12,200 lb gross weight
- Includes standard full-length wearplates
- Patented I-beam construction
- CNC machined split saddles
- Manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminum
- Compatible with DART and OEM Crosstubes (Except on Bell 214B/B-1: compatible on DART Crosstubes only)
Key Benefits
- 10 times more resistant to crushing due to I-beam construction
- Split saddles make installation easier even in the field
- FAA approved for UH-1H
- Reduced inventory of spares (tubes are not handed)
- Repairable/weldable
- Wearplates are LH/RH interchangeable
Approvals
| Approval type | Authority | Reference number | Aircraft approved | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STC | EASA - Europe | EASA.IM.R.S.01303 | 204B/205A/205A1/205B/212/214B/214B1/412/412EP | D204-635 & D205-634 Approved OEM Replacement Skidtube & Optional Modification Kits |
| STC | TCCA - Canada | SH96-88 | 204B/205A/205A1/205B/212/214B/214B1/412/412CF/412EP | D204-635 & D205-634 Approved OEM Replacement Skidtube & Optional Modification Kits |
| STC | FAA - USA | SR00563NY | 204B/205A/205A1/205B/210/212/214B/214B1/412/412CF/412EP/AB412/AB412EP/HH-1K/TH-1F/L/UH-1A/UH-1B/UH-1E/UH-1F/UH-1H/UH-1L/UH-1P | D204-635 & D205-634 Approved OEM Replacement Skidtube & Optional Modification Kits |
| STC | JCAB - Japan | STC-55-1-TYO | 412/412EP | D204-635 & D205-634 Approved OEM Replacement Skidtube & Optional Modification Kits |