Aircraft maintenance company Alpine Aerotech has received supplemental type certificate (STC) approval from Transport Canada Civil Aviation for its Bear Paw skid gear kit that is compatible with Airbus H125 (AS350/355) series helicopters. FAA and EASA STCs are pending.
The Bear Paws are priced at $2,600 through the end of 2022 and weigh 15.5 pounds. Adding optional ice grippers increases the weight by 1.7 pounds. “Operators seem to really like our Bear Paws, and the AS350 version has been the most requested,” said Taylor Wilson, manufacturing manager for Alpine.
Based in West Kelowna, British Columbia, Alpine provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services in Western Canada and supports leading makes and models of helicopters worldwide including those from Airbus, Bell, and Leonardo. The company’s extensive aftermarket catalog includes replacement instruments, exhaust ducts, baggage compartment protection kits, brackets, and panels.