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DART Aerospace (DART) received STC approval from Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in the last three months of 2018 for its replacement crosstubes for Airbus EC/H135 helicopters. Adding to DART’s growing portfolio of landing gear, the ready-to-install crosstubes are available in standard low and mid-height with factory-installed supports.
“This is DART’s first adventure in larger OD [outside diameter] thin-wall aluminum tubes used on Airbus helicopter landing gears. The development presented significant design, manufacturing and certification challenges,” said David Shepherd, vice-president of Certification at DART. “This achievement represents a key milestone for DART’s landing gear portfolio. It definitely increases our capabilities to take on more complex landing gear program development in the future. Thanks to Metro Aviation for their continued and outstanding support during the development phase.”
Metro Aviation, an air medical operator and completion centre based in Shreveport, La., received the first delivery of the new H135 crosstubes. Managing director Milton Geltz said the company is “excited to have an alternate source for these types of products.”
DART’s corrosion-resistant crosstubes are made from improved high-strength aluminum alloy and are protected by a proven high-performance primer and paint for offshore operations. The crosstubes are compatible with DART’s Round-I-Beam skidtubes and OEM-related products, namely saddles, skidtubes, access steps, and ground-handling wheels. The mid-height model, best suited for helicopters requiring extra ground clearance for utility operations, is compatible with DART and OEM floats, eliminating the need for crosstube extensions.
