Alpine Aerotech has received STC for the installation of its utility basket kit on the Bell 407 helicopter. This approval expands the Canadian helicopter maintenance and product development specialist's range of certified external cargo solutions and provides operators with a lightweight, durable system suited to utility and multi-mission operations.

The Bell 407 utility basket has a dry weight of 110lbs and offers a maximum payload capacity of 200lbs with 18.5 cubic ft of usable storage volume. The design allows operators to carry tools and equipment externally while preserving valuable cabin space and maintaining operational flexibility.

Unlike many competing designs that rely on expanded metal, the Aerotech basket is constructed using formed aluminium sheet in critical structural areas. This construction method offers improved resistance to fatigue and cracking, particularly in demanding operational environments. The basket also incorporates redundant latching mechanisms to enhance operational safety and reliability.

Installation and removal are streamlined through a quick-release mounting system, allowing operators to efficiently configure the aircraft based on mission requirements. The Bell 407 utility basket design is derived from an existing limited STC configuration that has accumulated many years and thousands of flight hours in service with a demanding operator, providing a proven foundation for this newly certified solution.

“The Bell 407 utility basket builds on a proven, in-service design,” says Taylor Wilson, manufacturing manager at Alpine Aerotech. “Starting with a design that has already been tested for thousands of hours in demanding environments gives us confidence that this STC delivers a straightforward, robust solution for real-world utility operations.”

This approval further expands Alpine Aerotech's lineup of certified multi-mission equipment for Bell helicopters and reinforces the company's focus on practical, operator-driven designs.