HANGAR TALK
“The MH-65 has saved more lives and interdicted more drugs than any other helicopter in the world, so we are very proud to play a role in supporting the Coast Guard in their integral missions,” said Ron Tremain, senior director at Airbus.
The AS366 GA, the version of the Dauphin dedicated to the USCG, was originally equipped with two Lycoming LTS-101 engines, a Fenestron with an increased diameter (1.1 m) to meet the requirement to hover in crosswinds of 35 knots (65 km/h), a maximum weight of 8,951 pounds (4,060 kg.), and a special hoist.
Over the past 40 years, the MH-65 has undergone several modernizations, including two major upgrades. The first, in 2004-2005, involved replacing the fleet’s engines with Arriel 2C2CG engines from Safran Helicopter Engines. The second involved modernizing the cockpit by installing digital “glass- cockpit” instruments and a full electrical harness replacement, and making structural improvements.
The MH-65s are subject to a robust maintenance program; the USCG carries out the major overhaul every four years (as opposed to every 12 years in the standard Dauphin maintenance program). This helps prevent corrosion-related issues, as these helicopters essentially fly in some of the harshest environments in the world.
Airbus Helicopters continues to support this fleet by providing expert
technical support, supplying spare parts, repairing
equipment and blades, and providing technical documentation, as well as training with personnel who are 100% dedicated.
The U.S. Coast Guard operates nearly 100 helicopters supporting the organization’s missions across 26 states as well as various international locations. The MH-65 has operated on every continent and is the first helicopter to land at the North Pole. “Currently the MH-65 has over 1.8 million flight hours. For one particular fleet to reach that number is truly impressive,” said Tremain.
WATCH VIDEO NOW
rotorpro.com 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78
