Ultimate Heli, located in Johannesburg, South Africa, will install the PA100 PUREair engine protection system on its AS350 helicopter, which is to be used for mining contracts in Madagascar.

The system, co-developed by Pall Aerospace and Dart Aerospace, is a redesigned, reengineered, and retested engine air protection system that enhances the capabilities of its predecessors. The new system is self-cleaning and requires less maintenance than conventional AS350 filtration systems.

“We are excited about the opportunity to fly the PA100 and work with DART on this project,” says Chris Cornwell, accountable manager at Ultimate Heli. “It will allow us to clearly demonstrate its benefits in South Africa's challenging environmental conditions.

“At Ultimate Heli, we constantly strive to grow our business while being innovative in looking for new ways to operate more safely and more competitively. The reduced maintenance and increased protection make the PA100 the engine protection system of choice for our AS350 fleet.”

The system will also offer a two per cent gain in power over conventional inlet barrier filters.