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Donaldson IBF’s Extend Pacific Valley’s Engine Life

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

February 16, 2010

thomas

St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 15, 2010 – More helicopter operators in a wide range of operations are choosing Inlet Barrier Filters (IBF) from Donaldson’s Aerospace & Defense Group, a division of the Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE:DCI). In the current economic conditions, business owners like Pacific Valley Aviation’s Jim Miller know they can not afford to wait when it comes to protecting their engines.

Miller and his Pacific Valley team operate two Bell UH-1H ‘Huey’ helicopters for aerial spraying/application flights in the fertile Sacramento River Valley of northern California. During a typical mission, the aircraft carries out many takeoffs and landings in very dusty conditions on remote roads to refill its spray tanks. The company equipped its ships with Donaldson IBF systems following major expenses from engine damage.

“Previously, we would only get 1400 flight hours from an engine before needing overhaul due to degradation, meaning reduced flight time and increased expenses,” said Miller. “I’m now at 2100 hours into the 2400 hour engine overhaul cycle, and I expect to make it without interruption. We were never able to do that before equipping with the IBF.”

Donaldson’s IBF captures more than fine grit and damaging particulates. Pacific Valley feels that spray residue ingestion into the turbine has also been reduced, which results in less power loss over time. In addition, turbine operating temperatures are typically reduced as much as 20 C, which adds power.

“We could not afford to wait to protect our engines, and the IBF has really made a positive impact to our bottom line,” added Miller. Many operators recover the investment in the IBF in one engine overhaul cycle, frequently sooner.

Donaldson Bell 205/UH-1H IBFs are in operation worldwide in aerial spraying, firefighting, seismic/utility and military applications. Bottom line, operators can now realize reduced operating costs along with enhanced performance and expanded operational capabilities when choosing Donaldson IBFs.

Providing the most comprehensive line of IBF solutions, Donaldson Aerospace & Defense is the industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-performance engine IBF systems for commercial and military propulsion systems. Through its St. Louis, Missouri location, Donaldson provides certified IBF solutions for the AgustaWestland AW119 Koala, AW119Ke and AW139, Bell 205A1, 206B, 407, 206L-3/4, 206L-1(C30), 429 and 430; Eurocopter EC130, AS350 B/BA/B1/B2/B3, AS350’s with Soloy or Heli-Lynx Honeywell engine conversions and MD Helicopters MD 369H Series, MD 500D/E/F and MD 900/902. IBF solutions for the AgustaWestland AW109 Power and Grand, Eurocopter EC135 as well as the Bell 206L are currently in development.

Visit Donaldson at the upcoming Heli-Expo 2010 Booth: #2847 in Houston, Texas, February 21-23, 2010.

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