Enstrom has received certification for new elastomeric dampers for its 480B. The dampers, from Lord Corp., are being incorporated on productionaircraft and can also be retrofitted. They replacehydraulic dampers and, says Lord, improve ground operation, ride and handling qualities. They are also expected to cut maintenance costs.

According to Lord marketing manager Todd Haughee, Enstrom contacted the company in 2000, seeking a main rotor damper that offered improved performance, reduced scheduled maintenance andincreased service life. Lord designed a damper based on instrumented data and analysis of 480B dynamics; it entered bench and flight test certification in 2002 and achieved FAA certification in January.