DART Hotline
1-800-556-4166 -or- 1-613-632-3336

News

  • Search Shop 
Home

CAL FIRE Equips Hueys with Engine Cycle Counters from DART Helicopter Services

2009/06/01

The California Department of Fire and Forestry Protection is equipping its entire fleet of UH-1H Super Huey helicopters with AKV engine cycle counters from DART Helicopter Services (DHS).

The agency that refers to itself as CAL FIRE has flown eight helicopters with cycle counters since 2008, and now plans to equip three remaining Hueys in its fleet, according to Bob Fisher, Helicopter Maintenance Officer. Using the manufacturer's cycle counting algorithms, the AKV equipment precisely and accurately tracks operations and usage of the helicopters' turbine T-53-703 engines.

"The cycle counters help us appropriately extend the life cycles of our engines and reduce operating costs," said Fisher. "Flying in high, hot environments, we place high demands on our engines. The cycle counters are tools we use to maintain our engines and better battle California's frequent wildfires." CAL FIRE is responsible for protecting 31 million acres of state wildlands.

"Using the cycle counter will immediately improve the bottom line for any operator," said Jonathan Gunn, president of AKV, Inc., "The low acquisition price enables an immediate return on the investment."

In addition to the cycle counters, CAL FIRE has equipped its fleet with DART skidtubes, crosstubes, wearplates and wearpads, door handle kits and fuel purge canister.

DHS manufactures and markets more than 2,500 helicopter accessories designed to make flying easier, safer, more efficient and cost effective.

"Customizing the helicopters for our highly specialized mission requirements is part of consistently improving our effectiveness," Fisher said. "Pilots and crews appreciate anything that supports their mission." In addition to wildland fire fighting, CAL FIRE responds to hazardous material spills, and civil disturbances, and flies prescribed burn, air med, swift water rescue, and disaster relief missions.




DART Helicopter Services LLC., 4650 North Avenue, Oceanside, CA, 92056 (www.darthelicopterservices.com), is a privately held Sales, Marketing and Manufacturing Company whose primary focus is developing innovative STC’d products and creating sales networks for aerospace manufacturers who are looking to benefit from DART’s global marketing network and sales channel. DART is the logical choice for rotary wing operators who are seeking a supplier with a comprehensive product line and superior customer support. DART’S subsidiary and affiliated companies own over 450 STC’s and manufacture over 500 products. With its highly trained and knowledgeable North American and International sales team, DART Helicopter Services distributes more than 3,000 aftermarket products to over 120 countries worldwide. For further information, please call our Customer Support Center at 1 (800) 556 4166 or 1 (613) 632 3336 or by e-mail at sales@darths.com