Portland, Oregon – October 30th 2019 - Simplex, a company of DART Aerospace, has received FAA approval for the Approved Models List (AML) extension of their STC SR02657SE. This certification applies to the UH-60/S-70 Black Hawks’ Simplex Model 370i Internal Fire Attack System (FAS).
This AML extension adds 11 eligible UH-60/S-70 Type Certificates (TCs) to the existing STC, bringing the total to 12 UH-60/S-70 TCs that are now approved for operation with the Simplex Model 370i FAS.
The complete AML extension includes the following 12 models from the following customers:
- Timberline Helicopters Inc. (TC#: R00052SE)
- ACE Aeronautics, LLC (TC#: R00005RC)
- BHI H60 Helicopters, LLC (TC#: R0012DE)
- Carson Helicopters (TC#: R00020AT)
- PJ Helicopters, Inc. (TC#: R00020LA)
- Billings Flying Service (TC#: R00021LA)
- Skydance Black Hawk Operations, LLC (TC#: R00022LA)
- High Performance Helicopters Corp. (TC#: R00054SE)
- Unical Aviation, Inc. (TC#: R00023LA)
- Sixtyhawk TC, LLC (TC#: R00025LA)
- Pickering Aviation, Inc. (TC#: R00003AC)
- Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (TC#: N5NE)
The Model 370i, originally certified for installation and operation on the Timberline Helicopters Inc. TC, is the first and only FAA certified internal FAS for the Black Hawk helicopter. The system was developed primarily for restricted category civil aerial firefighting operators and requires no modifications to the aircraft structure.
Mark Zimmerman, Senior V.P. of Business Development - Aerial Firefighting states, “With this AML amendment, the Simplex-DART team has expanded the reach of the 370i FAS to the entire fleet of known Civil Type Certified Black Hawks. More Black Hawk operators now have the ability to use their equipped helicopters with this Fire Attack System to save lives and property at risk from the escalating global wildland fire crisis.”
The Model 370i is a 900-gallon internal tank system that utilizes a single dispersal door that drops water/foam through the cargo hook well. The internal tank system is made from a proprietary lightweight composite matrix that provides superior corrosion and fatigue resistance compared to metal tanks. The tank utilizes a 1000 gallon per minute hover refill system and has dual ground fill ports for increased flexibility and safety during ground filling operations.
Simplex was recently acquired by Canadian helicopter mission equipment manufacturer DART Aerospace.
About DART Aerospace
DART provides industry-leading design, manufacturing and market-certified solutions for the helicopter and aerospace industry. With an impressive line-up of over 1100 STCs, DART offers a comprehensive portfolio of mission equipment and related services, replacement parts and tooling for civil and military operators, all major rotorcraft OEMs, completion centers and MR&O facilities. DART's key products include: flotation systems, landing gears, interior and exterior accessories, cargo expansion, external loads, cable cutters and filters. All this, in addition to extensive engineering capabilities and manufacturing centers delivering fast time-to-market solutions with superior customer support in over 120 countries worldwide.
Additional information may be found at dartaerospace.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Katherine Martineau
Email: kmartineau@dartaero.com