SHOW STOPPER
Diamond Aircraft said it will not exhibit at major international trade shows this year, choosing instead to focus its resources on developing its D-Jet personal aircraft and supporting its piston engine products. "In consideration of the continued weakness of the economy and the slow industry-wide sales, we have made the decision to forego the very significant expense of traditional exhibits at Oshkosh [in July], the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Summit [in September] and the National Business Aviation Association convention [in October]," it said.
EC135 RETROFIT
Eurocopter has signed a Malaysian ringget 9 million ($3 million) upgrade and retrofit contract with Malaysia's Hornbill Skyways for five EC135 helicopters. The work is set to begin this month in Subang and take two months per helicopter, Eurocopter said. This is the first such retrofit performed by a Eurocopter subsidiary in Southeast Asia, and is likely to be completed by June 2012. Under the deal, two EC135 P2s will be upgraded to the P2e standard, increasing payload by 40kg (88lb) to a maximum take-off weight of 2,950kg. All five helicopters will have inlet barrier filters installed and their high-frequency systems will be replaced and upgraded.
INLET BARRIER
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense has received supplemental type certification from Transport Canada for an inlet barrier filter (IBF) system for the AgustaWestland AW139 medium twin-engine helicopter. The IBF is designed to prevent engine damage.
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
CHC Helicopter has started operations in Australia for the first time. The helicopter services provider is providing transportation for oil and gas company Woodside Energy using three Eurocopter EC225 medium twin-engine helicopters. A fourth aircraft is scheduled to join the fleet next month to support Woodside's production and drilling campaigns along Australia's Northwest Shelf.
Source: Flight International
