DART Helicopter Services has reported that their affiliated partner, Apical Industries Inc, has received FAA approval of its Liferaft Kit for Agusta AW139 model helicopters.

The AW139 Liferaft Kit consists of two externally mounted Liferaft Pod Assemblies and a Liferaft inflation reservoir with a mechanical activation system. The Liferaft Pod Assemblies are comprised of an aluminum mounting structure, a fabric top cover, a carbon fiber bottom cover, a 10 Man Reversible Liferaft and an integrated composite Passenger Step.

The 10 Man Reversible Liferafts are comprised of a twin tube design, a canopy and a survival kit. The Liferafts feature a 15 man overload capacity and meet all applicable TSO-C70a requirements. Both Liferafts are inflated with a single Liferaft reservoir assembly.

Also provided is a mechanical Liferaft inflation system with two cockpit mounted T-Handles mounted along the door frame on the pilot's and co-pilot's side, and one T-Handle mounted in the passenger compartment subfloor accessible through an access panel.

Jeff Shapiro, President and CEO of DART Helicopter Services, commented that, "This system is superbly designed to reduce any weight or drag penalty when compared with any currently available systems. In addition, Apical's longer maintenance and overhaul requirements and optional exchange program mean that this system will enhance not only the operational safety but also the bottom line."