Utilising the latest additive manufacturing equipment and materials, Canada-based helicopter maintenance and product development company Alpine Aerotech has successfully designed and produced a user-friendly hanger to stow headsets inside the cabin of most aircraft.
Aerotech's 'universal' headset hanger can be installed in any type, or model, of aircraft as long as it is located outside of the head-strike envelope (defined in their installation manual). The hanger can be installed using existing #10 or ¼” fasteners in the aircraft. Alternatively, for areas without existing fasteners, Aerotech offers click-bond studs that can be quickly bonded to most surfaces inside the cabin.
“We know headset storage is a common problem in all types of fixed wing and rotorcraft,” explains manufacturing manager Taylor Wilson. “We worked with a DAR to develop installation criteria that can be applied to any aircraft.”
Specific to the Bell 505, Aerotech has also designed a kit that allows the removal of the OEM DG clamps on the ceiling between the pilot and co-pilot seats. The straight forward installation requires minor drilling and can be completed by a single technician in about an hour.
All kits and installations are constructed of materials that conform to FAR 25.853 and have been found appropriate by a Transport Canada delegate (DAR) to satisfy the requirements of minor modifications per CAR 571.06.