Press Release

Issued by Donaldson Aerospace & Defense - Aerospace Filtration Systems.

February 19, 2010

With the new year, helicopter operators across Europe are choosing Inlet Barrier Filters (IBF) from Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI). IBF solutions protect valuable engine components with the newest, best-performing inlet protection technology available, while allowing maximum performance. 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification of the Donaldson IBF for the Eurocopter AS350 now allows European access to this proven system among many approved models. Certified with no restrictions, the Donaldson IBF system allows year-round operations, providing owners with confidence that their engine is fully protected during flight in both good and inclement weather conditions. 

The Donaldson AS350 system features a sealed intake plenum that replaces the inlet screens, sand filter/particle separator or alternate barrier filter. The design allows easy installation, and an inlet bypass system is standard on each model. An intake bypass capability is an important IBF feature that is lacking in most traditional sand filters and particle separators.  

“Customers from Germany to the Mount Everest region of Nepal and South Africa to Australia are choosing the Donaldson inlet protection solution,” said Robert Stenberg, Donaldson St. Louis Business Development Director. “Improvements in performance and reduced direct operating costs can be obtained by utilizing the AS350 IBF as compared with alternative inlet protection. The same experience is available throughout our family of IBF products.” The company stated that several additional IBF models await EASA approvals, including the Eurocopter EC130 B4, Eurocopter AS350B3 helicopters with dual hydraulic systems and the AgustaWestland AW119/119Ke.

Donaldson offers certified IBF for worldwide operators flying aircraft from AgustaWestland, Eurocopter, Bell, and MD Helicopters. IBF systems are already in use by AS350 and EC130 operators worldwide performing law enforcement, air medical, firefighting, news gathering and utility missions, including CDC Helicopters, Heli-Swiss, and Hahn Helicopters in Germany, operating AS350 and MD500 barrier filter systems. South American approvals are also in process, further extending the IBF solutions to more operators.

Whether flying in snow in the Alps, hot and high conditions in the Pyrenees or calm coastal weather in the Cote d’Azure, operators equipped with a Donaldson IBF can carry out their mission safely and effectively. Providing the most comprehensive line of IBF solutions, Donaldson Aerospace & Defense is the industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-performance engine IBF systems for commercial and military propulsion systems. Through their St. Louis, Missouri location, Donaldson provides certified IBF solutions for the AgustaWestland AW119 Koala, AW119Ke and AW139, Bell 205A1, 206B, 407, 206L-3/4, 206L-1(C30), 429 and 430; Eurocopter EC130, AS350 B/BA/B1/B2/B3, AS350’s with Soloy or Heli-Lynx Honeywell engine conversions and MD Helicopters MD 369H Series, MD 500D/E/F and MD 900/902. IBF solutions for the AgustaWestland AW109 Power and Grand, Eurocopter EC135 as well as the Bell 206L are currently in development.