DART Announces EASA Approval of Apical Emergency Float Systems

DART announces that its subsidiary partner Apical Industries has received EASA approval for their Emergency Float System for Eurocopter AS355E, F, F1, F2, N, NP model helicopters. FAA and Transport Canada approvals have been previously received.

Apical’s AS355 Emergency Float System consists of six Floats which attach to the skid tubes and the skid extensions provided with the kit. Inflation of the Floats is from two Reservoir/Valve Assemblies which are mounted in the lower fuselage. The mechanical valve system has no squibs or electrical requirements. The kit may also contain a set of six-man Life rafts which are packed on the Aft Floats and have their own mechanical inflation system. The patented integrated design of the Apical Life raft system conserves valuable passenger space and provides a significant safety benefit over cabin mounted options.

The Reservoir/Valve Assemblies, Floats and Life rafts are available as exchange items, thereby reducing maintenance and down time. Annual inspection of float bags as compared with six month inspection required in some competitors’ products also lowers the ongoing maintenance cost of the system.