HELISHOW: Donaldson beats the desert dusts

A technology designed to protect rotorcraft engines and other systems from contamination by fine sand and airborne particulates, especially during takeoffs, landings and low-level flights is on show at the Helishow Dubai 2012 which opened at Meydan in Dubai today.
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US firm Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, is showcasing its inlet barrier filter (IBF) systems for a wide range of military and civil rotorcraft. The company said Helishow is an ideal venue for demonstrating filter effectiveness in demanding desert environments.

An AgustaWestland AW139 twin-engine utility rotorcraft fitted with Donaldson filters is also being displayed on the flight line.

“Engine intake protection is crucial for flight safety and efficiency throughout the UAE and the Middle East, and we are proud that so many rotorcraft operators in the region rely on Donaldson filters to complete successful missions,” said Robert Stenberg, business development director for Donaldson St. Louis.

Donaldson says that its IBFs have saved the US armed forces millions of dollars in maintenance, repair and overhaul during more than a decade of combat in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. “Throughout these operations, IBFs have provided more efficient and effective protection than other filtration systems. Military rotorcraft equipped with Donaldson IBFs experienced no engine removals due to erosion during desert operations. IBFs also protect attack helicopters from the effects of rocket gas ingestion when engaging targets,” the company said at the show.

The US Army has installed IBFs on its entire fleet of TH-67 Creek training helicopters, and 25 percent of its fleet of OH-58A/C Kiowa observation helicopters. Donaldson IBFs are standard on the Army’s Special Operations MH/AH-6 Little Bird, OH-58D/F Kiowa Warrior, and support 25 percent of the UH-60 BLACK HAWK utility helicopter fleet. The air forces of Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE also equip their rotorcraft with Donaldson IBFs. Civil operators utilising Donaldson IBFs in the region include Saudi Aramco and Horizon Helicopters. Engines protected by Donaldson filters routinely meet or exceed time between overhaul (TBO) specifications while operating in the Middle East.

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