Merlin's RIPS Works Rippingly

The EH101 Merlin helicopter's rotor ice protection system (RIPS) has successfully matched all its performance criteria in testing at the Shearwater trials site in Canada, reports the UK's Defense Evaluation & Research Agency. DERA is detailing RIPS at the UK pavilion here.

Helicopters face varying difficulties from precipitation and recirculating snow conditions, challenges ranging from engine ingestion of airframe slush to blocked vents and poor windscreen visibility. The RIPS trials, about 75% complete at this stage, have been helping to identify optimum operating envelopes for the Merlin.

These results are part of the series of proving trials of the Merlin Mk 1 and Mk 3 for service capability and use. DERA is working closely with industry early in the development of the aircraft, and says it will be maintaining trials over a number of years as the Merlin's capabilities develop. The agency itself, meanwhile, is to be privatized next month.-Steve Morris

Airbus and Boeing could each save $27 million a year if they adopted a new grommet edging developed by New England-based Device Technologies, its president Nick Petri claims.

While grommets may not be the most exciting product at an air show, Petri is convinced that manufacturers will be excited by his Spring-Fast edging when he gets the chance here to tell them of the savings in production time over traditional adhesive-applied nylon grommets.

"If Boeing and Airbus used just 1,000 feet per airplane, they would each realize that $27 million in savings," he says. "And there is a safety aspect, too, as Spring-Fast protects wire bundles from chafing for the life of the airplane, whereas nylon grommets can dry and fall out."

Petri believes faster installation times could result in a 30-60% reduction in the cost of preparing an airframe for the gluing of traditional nylon grommets.

Spring-Fast grommet edging has been selected for installation on Agusta A109 Power helicopters, including helicopters ordered for the U.S. Coast Guard's HITRON TEN (Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Ten) program.

"The A109 Power marks an important new application of Spring-Fast on helicopters, where the operating environment requires a maximum of protection for wiring and hydraulic tubing," Petri says.

The grommet edging, approved by the FAA and DOD for all types of aircraft application, consists of a composite polymer that encapsulates a stainless steel spring with a protective cushion.

The unique feature of Spring-Fast is that it snaps into place quickly on openings in avionics racks and structures. It requires no adhesives.

Spring-Fast, Petri claims, is not susceptible to drying out or cracking.

The installation approval for the A109 Power marks the second use of Spring-Fast for the U.S. Coast Guard, the other being the avionics upgrades of 30 Aerospatiale HH-65 Dolphins.

Spring-Fast is currently being evaluated by Bombardier for its Continental business jet, Boeing Helicopters (CH-47 and Apache), New Piper for all its aircraft, Boeing Tactical for the T-38 avionics upgrade, Schweizer, and Piaggio. It is also used on the C-17.
Petri and Device Technologies can be found here in the USA Pavilion, Hall 3, Stand D12-A.