Senior Editor

Jerry Siebenmark

StandardAero has begun the second phase of a program to upgrade the Pinal County Arizona Sheriff Department’s Bell UH-1H helicopter for hot, high, and heavy operations. The program, which is underway at StandardAero’s helicopter airframe facility in British Columbia, is expected to be completed in the next five to six months.

 


Included in the second phase are airframe modifications to the lift beam, main beams, and tail boom attach areas, as well as engine mount and main transmission mount areas. Main transmission and driveshaft assemblies also will be upgraded. Those modifications are designed for increasing horsepower and torque that is required to improve lift capability to 5,000 pounds of external cargo capacity and a 10,500-pound external gross weight limitation.

 


They are in addition to first phase modifications for improved hover-hold, yaw control and reduced torque, tail rotor power requirements, and fuel consumption. First-phase upgrades also include an upgraded engine and transmission cooling system.

 


StandardAero launched the UH-1H airframe upgrade program in 1992 and since then has performed more than 150 of them for military and restricted-category operators. In 2023, the sheriff’s department is considering a third phase in which installation of Bell 212 main rotor blades would provide a 10,500-pound internal and 11,200-pound external gross weight on its UH-1H.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

StandardAero Upgrading Sheriff's Helo for Hot/high Ops

StandardAero's upgrades will allow the Pinal County Sheriff Department to operate its Bell UH-1H in hot and high environments with greater lift capability.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Batteries offer significant weight savings and better performance 

Saft Developing Li-ion Batteries for Biz Aircraft, Helos

Curt Epstein

The move gives the company repair locations at two airports

All In Aviation Makes Safe Bet with Mx Provider Purchase

Consistency and proper assessment of the need for STCs are targets

DOT IG To Examine Consistency in FAA STC Process

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Maintenance, repair, and overhaul group has 52 line stations in the U.S. and Europe

FEAM Aero Will Support SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft Operators

Chad Trautvetter

40,000-sq-ft hangar allows company to expand aircraft maintenance services

Jets MRO Moves into New Digs at Dallas Executive Airport

The online tool helps operators find suitable service for aircraft

Aviation Heaven Rolls Out Global MRO Map

Projects were handled over a four-month span

ExecuJet Haite Pulls Off Embraer Legacy Triple Play

AmyWilder

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

HAI Heli-Expo 2022

In this article

Bell UH-1H/Huey

Bell

More In Maintenance and Modifications