The FAA is expected to grant a supplemental type certificate within a few months to Donaldson subsidiary Aerospace Filtration Systems (AFS) of St. Louis for an inlet barrier filter system for the Bell 430. Operators have been requesting engine protection offered by the inlet filter system, according to AFS business development director Robert Stenberg. “Our Bell 430 system can help offshore, corporate, EMS and other operators reduce the likelihood of engine damage from FOD, salt-spray corrosion and other contaminants, offering a better solution than currently available,” he said. The AFS system replaces the existing engine inlet screens or particle separator and features an intake bypass system that provides for emergency bypass airflow via a cockpit switch. The filter system lasts for 4,500 flight hours and offers a 300-flight-hour service cycle. Between cleaning intervals, technicians can check the filter system’s condition using AFS’s integral filter maintenance aid.