Used to fly a Super-D and a BA, and the Super-D was a better machine at altitude + burned less fuel. I knew it was cheaper to operate, just wondered by how much.
The new conversion to Super-D+ sounds real good. I heard Papillon were converting there Astars to this?

I believe A lot of operators still cringe at the thought of an LTS 101 engine. Apparently there is also a conversion from the LTS 101 to the allison c30 available for as350 astar. from memory Jayrow had a couple of AS350's with the C30 and i believe they were happy with them.

The LTS-101 is now a very good engine and you also get the good customer support from the US. Having flown a good mixture of B, D, BA, and Super-D's, the 101 engines always seem to have that bit extra performance at altitude + the cheaper running costs.

I agree the LTS101 very good engine now. I have about 1000 hrs with that engine and my ex-company has operated B 222 for thousands of hrs with the engine with no problems.

HB350 difference
 

Can anyone please tell me what the difference is between an AS350B and a HB350 also an AS355 and a HB355?
Thanks John

The HB350 and HB355 are simply Squirrels/Twin Squirrels produced by Helibras in Brazil (as the Esquilo). Other than customer-specific fits (e.g. for the Brazilian MoD's aircraft), the ships are identical to the various AS350 and AS355 variants.

I/C

Ian
Thank you for that, just goes to show you learn something every day.
John

Does anyone have contact details for the people that do the Soloy/Lycoming Super D engine?
Thanks in advance

Soloy Corp's website is here.

I/C

An interesting read about the new "Super-D2"


Honeywell selects Soloy to develop STC for LTS101-700D-2 engine installation in AS350B2 helicopters

PHOENIX, February 6, 2005 -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that it has signed a teaming agreement with Soloy, LLC to develop a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for installation of Honeywell’s latest LTS101 turboshaft engine upgrade for the AS350B2 AStar helicopter.

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters will be the launch customer for the new conversion.

“Honeywell’s LTS101-700D-2 turboshaft engine is designed to provide more than a 14 percent take-off power improvement at sea level and 18 percent more power in hot day conditions,” said Bob Miller, Director, Honeywell Light Utility Helicopter programs. “The improved power is generated by a new cooled gas producer (GP) turbine assembly that also increases GP disk life from 6,300 cycles to 15,000 cycles, helping reduce our customer’s operating costs. The LTS101-700D-2 also incorporates an updated and proven reduction gear-set that reduces accumulated power turbine cycles by 35 percent and increases torque limits by 6 percent.”

The engine footprint is identical to existing versions of LTS101 engines so current LTS101 operators can take advantage of the growth capability with no significant change to the installation or mechanical interfaces.

Soloy has already begun the new engine installation on a B2 Astar at its Olympia, Washington, facility.

Soloy has more than 30 years of experience in aircraft modifications and has completed numerous re-engine programs producing over 49 STC’s with certifications in 29 different countries.

“The Soloy STC, coupled with existing service bulletins, will allow operators of any model AStar helicopter to upgrade to the B2 configuration and then convert to the Honeywell LTS 101-700D-2 engine,” said David Stauffer, President of Soloy, “Our STC FAA certification is planned for early 2005.”

Soloy has begun taking orders for the AS350B2 upgrade, which they’re labeling the “Super D2”. Papillon Helicopters, who currently operate four “Super D” AStar helicopters with the LTS101-600A-3A engine, will be the launch customer for the new conversion.

“Our current LTS101 engines are burning almost 25 percent less block fuel per hour on our tour missions compared with competitive engine installations and are delivering significantly lower maintenance costs” said Dean Brandt, Papillon Helicopters Director of Maintenance. “We expect that same level of performance from these new LTS101-700D-2 engines.”

The LTS101 engine family has accrued more than 8 million hours of in flight operation. Honeywell has continuously improved this product through the infusion of recent technologies and upgrades. As a result, this engine family has demonstrated a four-fold improvement in reliability since 1996 and unscheduled removals and warranty claims have been driven to the lowest values in the history of the engine.

Soloy Products
 

The Soloy product line for the AS350 includes the following conversion kits:

AS350D, B & BA helicopters to the Rolls-Royce 250 C30M engine.

AS350D & B to LTS101-600A-3A engine what is often called a "Super D". This conversion STC was developed by Eagle Helicopters and is now owned by Soloy LLC of Olympia, WA.

AS350BA converted to the LTS101-600A-3A and also is sometimes referred to as a "Super D". Originally developed by Eagle Helicopter and now owned by Soloy, LLC.

Soloy is currently developing a STC to convert the AS350B2 to Honeywell LTS power using the LTS101-700D-2 engine. STC will be available the first quarter of 2006.

The Bell 407 is being updated to the Honeywell HTS900 which is a updated version of the LTS101 engine that includes FADEC controls. This engine will fit well in the AS350B3, wouldn't it?

Thankyou David for the info.. What if I want to take a BA to a Super D-2.. Do you do the upgrade from the BA or does it have to be done by Eurocopter first??

I believe that Jayrow in Australia recently converted one from an Arriel to a Lycoming.

Apparently, its working very well. A competing company is looking hard at the conversion for their own fleet of 350s. It could become quite a fashionable conversion for older 350 aircraft with lower operating costs, better service and more power.

It is being considered for use as a "pricebuster" against the 350B2 and B3 and is considered the value solution.

BA to B2 w/ LTS
 

Currently the only way to upgrade the AS350BA to B2 configuration is through the EC owned facility network. I know that others have accomplished this upgrade but it is usually in close cooperation with EC. The technical data to upgrade is FAA approved and can be accomplished without EC involvement. However, as you know, EC can make this difficult if it is not involved.

It is our intentions to certify the AS350B2 to LTS power for now and how you get there is still under investigation.

Flying the b3
 

Hey was wondering what problems operators were having with their b3s and the fix. How do the computers and fadec perform?

Have you got a B3 or are you considering buying one and the answers here would affect your choice? Then why not an Agusta A119, better all round, best engine, beefy transmission, capable rotor head. Past problems have been sorted. Selling well.

I have been flying the B3 & B3+ some.

I was not to thrilled with the idea that the company would be buying this modern fancy computer controlled equipment but they have actually performed really well with no specific problems to talk of. Some sensor faults and such but no real problems really.

My company operates 7 of them!

what's a B3+?????????????(for the benefit of the 15 character minimum :O )

The B3+ is how my company refers to the newest model of the B3 with dual FADEC and no "MAN GOV" function!

I don´t really know if it´s an official name or just something my company uses for our latest aircraft!

The throttle is an interesting one on the older model b3s. Just got to hope it hasnt been moved although Ive heard if you put it back to the vol postion it should be okay for a start. Heard anything on this one. Have also heard of problems with phones and wescams being operated in that it may effect the fadec?