The EASA has certified the FastFin tail rotor enhancement and stability system for the Bell 205. It follows recent certification for the Bell 212, and Bell 412 certification is under way. “With FastFin, most operators will receive between a 10- and 90-percent increase in useful load depending on specific model and density altitude,” said Dave Marone, vice president of sales and marketing for BLR Aerospace.

“European operators flying in demanding conditions and challenging environments can expect measurable improvements in safety and reduced pilot workload by adding FastFin to their Bell. This mod is particularly useful for utility operators such as long line, fire fighting, heliskiing and other operations where load factor is an issue. For example, on the Bell 412 it can translate to an additional 15 percent of useful load,” Marone told AIN.

The system includes two parallel stall strips, known as dual tailboom strakes, on the tailboom and a reshaped vertical fin. FastFin optimizes airflow around the tailboom, dramatically improving tail-rotor authority and wind azimuth tolerance. FastFin also reduces operating costs and reduces cycle fatigue in structures and demands on tail-rotor rotating components.