DESIGN


ELEMENTS OF THE STANDARDAERO / ROBERTSON CRFT


• Self-sealing breakaway valve to prevent fuel leakage


• Vent system rollover protection • Vent system flame arrestor


• Crash-resistant recessed sump drain valve


• Compatible with Onboard Systems’ industry-proven cargo swing solutions, as well as the Airbus Helicopters cargo swing


• Quick-change cartridge-style boost pump, replaceable without draining fuel


• Independent low-fuel-level sensor • Single- or dual-pump configurations • Compatible with aftermarket fuel filter


• Composite container specially engineered to distribute impact loads


• Compatible with popular cargo pods


• Compatible with virtually all models via AML STC


CRFT RETROFIT BARRIERS Unfortunately, barriers to CRFS retrofits remain.


“One of the largest barriers I see in the civil market is a lack of familiarity with CRFT, as well as understanding the risks of not having it,” said Carl Hessberger, director of customer service for StandardAero.


Many operators view CRFTs as just another piece of insurance, observed Manny Atwal, VP of sales, marketing and business development for StandardAero commercial helicopter programs. In other words, they may focus on the operational needs of today and tomorrow while viewing CRFTs as something needed only when something catastrophic happens. “For us, the challenge is to make sure that people are aware that not only is there significant risk that is real, but the risk can be mitigated,” Atwal said. Awareness is on the rise, it seems; to date, approximately 160 StandardAero/Robertson CRFT systems have been installed on AS350 airframes.


56 Sep/Oct 2019


Cost may also be a part of the decision-making process. The StandardAero/Robertson AS350 CRFT costs approximately $100,000. To help indirectly offset some of the cost, depending on the airframe, Airbus offers operators who use a third-party retrofit solution up to $25k per aircraft installation in training credits at the factory training center to reduce costs associated with initial or annual training. One could also pose the question, what are the costs of not having CRFT if a preventable post-crash fire occurs? If past precedent in the Frisco crash is any indication, they could exceed $100 million.


Currently there are regulatory barriers as well. “Although there’s a requirement for all aircraft typed and manufactured after 1994, there’s only strong recommendations from regulatory agencies to retrofit the remaining aircraft, and for the time being, operators may lean on that to avoid CRFT installation,” Hessberger said.


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