CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Goodrich
Corporation's (NYSE: GR) rotorblade ice protection system for the
AgustaWestland AW139 medium twin-engine helicopter has received
certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Certifications from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCAA) were also
received. The rotorblade ice protection system is part of the
AW139's full ice protection system that provides its all-weather
capability, making it the first helicopter in its category
certified to fly into known icing conditions.
The Goodrich rotorblade ice protection system (RIPS) was
designed and integrated as a complete ice protection solution for
the AW139 platform resulting in a robust, highly reliable, and
fully automated ice protection system. RIPS uses Goodrich's unique
DuraTherm™ electrothermal mats which can tolerate considerable
damage, including punctures, and continue to provide ice
protection. With expertise in ice detection, power
distribution and DuraTherm de-icing technologies, Goodrich is the
only systems supplier able to offer an all-inclusive ice detection
and ice protection system.
"The recent certifications of our rotorblade ice protection
system on the AW139 confirms Goodrich's ability to partner with
customers to provide both the avionics and advanced heating
technology in a single-source ice protection solution for
helicopters," said Steve Guetter,
rotorcraft business development director for Goodrich Sensors and
Integrated Systems.
"The development of a completely integrated civil certified ice
protection system was a 'first time' both for AgustaWestland and
Goodrich," added Enrico Bellussi,
ice protection system design team manager for AgustaWestland, "and
the key factor for the success of this venture was the pro-active,
collaborative and problem-solving attitude adopted by the whole
team. Continuous support and side-by-side work enabled the
development of a complex system that impacted the whole helicopter
both in installation and in overall performance."
Goodrich ice detection and ice protection products are used
extensively on many helicopter platforms including the Bell-Boeing
V-22, Boeing Apache AH-64, NHIndustries NH90, new Korean
Aerospace Industries Surion utility helicopter, and the Sikorsky
Black Hawk, CH-/MH-53, S-76 and S-92.
Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global
supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland
security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified
portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global
customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service
facilities. For more information, visit
http://www.goodrich.com.
Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a
parent company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be
referred to as "Goodrich Corporation" in this press
release.
GR –Electronic Systems
SOURCE Goodrich Corporation; GR - Electronic Systems