Bell Helicopter and Van Horn Aviation (Booth No. 1521) of Tempe, Ariz., yesterday at Heli-Expo 2011 put the official stamp on an agreement that allows Bell to distribute Van Horn’s composite tail rotor blades for Bell 206 models.

The Van Horn rotor blade kit, approved under an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC), is being distributed exclusively through Bell’s Aeronautical Accessories division. The STC covers installation of the Van Horn composite tail rotor blades on Bell 206Bs and 206Ls. The blades are identifiable by three high-visibility stripes and their own part number.

The composite tail rotor blades provide corrosion resistance, a reduction in tail-rotor noise, greater tail-rotor authority, flight at higher density altitudes and a 5,000-hour service life. The blades come with a three-year, 1,500-hour, non-prorated warranty,

“This STC allows us to provide our customers with a product that not only adds value to their mission,” said Danny Maldonado, Bell Helicopter senior vice president, “but also meets Bell Helicopter’s rigorous engineering standards.”