Strake delivery
BLR Aerospace (BLR) has delivered its first of 12 Bell 206L dual helicopter tailboom strake kits to US aerial sightseeing operator Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters. The dual strakes are designed to control airflow over the tailboom, which improves stability, increases payload and reduces maintenance and fuel costs, says BLR.
Virtual eyes
The South African Police Services (SAPS) has awarded Denel Optronics a contract to equip its helicopters with the Goshawk 350 airborne surveillance system. Denel says: "This virtual 'eye in the sky' system will allow SAPS to deploy their helicopters for all-weather and day and night crime prevention, law enforcement and border surveillance operations." The Goshawk 350 gyro-stabilised system is fitted with a continuous zoom thermal imager, daylight TV camera and auto-tracking. Variants of the system are already in use by police and security forces in 20 other countries, Denel adds.
INAER renewal
European on-shore helicopter operator INAER has signed a €33 million ($42.3 million) agreement with Eurocopter Espana to acquire nine helicopters, which will be added to the group's fleet between June 2007 and January 2009. The aircraft - four EC135s, two EC145s, two AS350B3s and one AS355NP - will be used for fire fighting, civil protection and emergency medical services. "This new acquisition is part of group policy to constantly renew our fleet in Spain, Portugal and Italy," says Luis Minano, delegate advisor for the INAER group, which was created in 2003 from the merger of Grupo Helisureste and Helicsa Helicopteros.
Moravan offered
Moravan Aeroplanes is up for sale again. A third public tender for the Czech aircraft maker, under bankruptcy proceedings since 2004, will be declared within two weeks, says official receiver Petr Hajtmar. Morovan manufactures the all-metal Zlín trainer, also used for aerobatics.
Source: Flight International
