Donaldson Inlet Barrier Filters Prove Their Worth in Air Medical Operations
NASHVILLE, TN — September 21, 2014 — Donaldson Aerospace & Defense’s Inlet Barrier Filters prove their worth every day, according to air medical operators who say the filtration systems protect their helicopters’ engines from erosion, reduce power plant maintenance costs, and help air crews safely complete missions.
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), will be displaying Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) systems for the Airbus Helicopter EC130 and the Bell Helicopter 407 during the Air Medical Transport Conference--Booth # 1115 in the Music City Center--September 22-24, 2014.
Donaldson IBFs “provide the means to protect the engine intake, which cuts down on engine erosion and overhaul expenses,” said Jon Wilson, director of maintenance for EagleMed. “Protecting the intake also provides another layer of safety” by keeping damaging contaminants from entering the engine and degrading its performance.
Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, EagleMed is a subsidiary of Air Medical Group Holdings that operates 28 Airbus Helicopters AS350s and Beechcraft King Airs in 10 states across the Midwest and Eastern U.S. In February, EagleMed ordered 11 Donaldson IBF system kits for installation on its AS350B2, B3, and B3e aircraft as they are taken out of service for major scheduled maintenance.
The Donaldson IBFs “are the best on cost, best on performance, and most compatible with our fleet and operations,” Wilson said, noting that an added benefit is that the IBF’s installation carries no power penalty. Mihir Mirajkar, director of maintenance for Summit Air Ambulance, agreed.
Summit Air Ambulance was so drawn by the benefits of an efficient and effective engine filtration system, Mirajkar said, that it worked with Donaldson to achieve FAA Supplemental Type Certification of the IBF system for use on its AgustaWestland AW109Es. Headquartered in Caldwell, Idaho, Summit serves surrounding communities from two bases in Montana and two in Nevada with AW109Es and Pilatus PC-12s.
“We were convinced that filters were the way to go,” said Mirajkar. He had worked in the past with operators flying helicopters with unprotected engines in dusty and dirty conditions, such as seismic surveys and firefighting missions, who sacrificed engine compressors and turbines to the damage those conditions wrought.
“The Donaldson IBF saves the compressor,” Mirajkar said. “I think putting the IBFs on our aircraft is one of the best things we’ve done.” Case in point: Summit’s two new AW119Kx helicopters will be delivered with Donaldson IBFs.
To learn more about the Donaldson Aerospace & Defense group, visit www.DonaldsonAerospace-Defense.com.
About Donaldson’s Aerospace & Defense Group
Donaldson’s Aerospace & Defense Group is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems for the aerospace and defense industry. Our filtration solutions protect fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, military ground vehicles, electronic equipment, space vehicles, missiles, military shipboard systems and amphibious vehicles. We are committed to advancing filtration technology and providing quality products and prompt customer service. Our group serves customers from sales, engineering and manufacturing locations around the world.
About Donaldson Company
Donaldson is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems that improve people’s lives, enhance our Customers’ equipment performance and protect our environment. We are a technology-driven Company committed to satisfying our Customers’ needs for filtration solutions through innovative research and development, application expertise and global presence. Our approximately 12,600 employees contribute to the Company’s success by supporting our Customers at our more than 140 sales, manufacturing and distribution locations around the world.
Donaldson is a member of the S&P MidCap 400 and Russell 1000 indices, and our shares trade on the NYSE under the symbol DCI. Additional information is available at www.donaldson.com.
