Heli Austria is the first European operator of BLR Aerospace's FastFin tail rotor enhancement and stability system for the Bell 412. FastFin was recently certified by EASA for installation and flight on this helicopter type. The system enables performance improvements in useful load, wind azimuth tolerance and hover stability for Bell medium helicopters.

Heli Austria has been flying its enhanced 412 for two months. “The overall control and increased safety margins are excellent,” says Roy Knaus, Heli Austria owner. “It's a really efficient system that is especially beneficial for us at high altitudes.” Knaus' firm was already the first operator in Europe to buy, install and operate FastFin for the Bell 204 and Bell 212.

His Bell routinely operates between 7,000 and 10,000 feet but sometimes reaches altitudes of up to 13,000 feet.