Aerometals Unveils New H225 Inlet Barrier Filter

Aftermarket helicopter equipment manufacturer Aerometals has begun deliveries of its newly-designed inlet barrier filter (IBF) for the Airbus Helicopters H225, with the first production units shipped to launch customer Air Center Helicopters, which operates more than 20 of the aircraft worldwide.

Air Center provided one of those rotorcraft as a flight test platform, with its company CEO, Rod Tinney, serving as test pilot. According to the manufacturer—which developed the product with support from engine maker Safran—its new, lighter-weight IBF, constructed from composite Kevlar materials, is a substantial improvement in air filtration when compared to the legacy units on the market. It achieves a 99.3% SAE coarse test dust filtration efficiency, providing increased protection against foreign object damage, erosion, fouling, and corrosion.

The unit features several advanced design elements, including an integrated bypass door that ensures uninterrupted airflow to the engine in the event of a filter blockage, and removable filter elements for cleaning and maintenance. It is certified for bird strike protection and has been tested in icing conditions.

“The IBF will be a game changer for Air Center Helicopters and others operating in austere conditions, especially with dust,” explained Tinney. “Many of the southwest U.S. locations we operate in have a talc-like dust that severely impacts engines that the MPAI does not filter or catch.” He added, “These IBFs will go a long way to preserve engine life and make it possible for engines to make TBO and maintain high operational readiness for our customers.

Aerometals will be officially unveiling the IBF at its Verticon booth in Atlanta on Tuesday at 1:30 pm.