StandardAero (Booth C6043) signed an MoU with Papillon Airways for 40 retrofittable crash-resistant fuel tanks (CRFTs) for Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopter's fleet of Airbus AS350B3s and EC130B4. The CRFT installations are expected to begin in April.
“Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters has made the commitment to lead our industry by retrofitting our tour fleet with recently FAA-certified crash-resistant fuel systems,” said Papillon Airways owner and executive v-p Lon Halvorson. EASA certification is expected soon.
The CRFTs, which received FAA certification in December, were developed by StandardAero in collaboration with Robertson Fuel Systems (Booth 6051) for the AS350 and EC130 families. Safety features of the tanks include a self-sealing breakaway valve, vent system roll-over protection, a vent system flame arrestor, and a crash-resistant recessed sump drain valve.
In 2017 StandardAero acquired Vector Aerospace, creating an organization with 6,000 employees that produces $3 billion in annual revenues across more than 40 locations around the world. The acquisition significantly extends its reach in the civilian and military helicopter-engine MRO market, including on the M250, PT6T, Arriel 1 and 2, T58/CT58 and T700/CT7 engines. Currently, StandardAero offers services in four different sectors: business aviation; airlines and fleets; military and energy; and components, helicopters, and accessories.