Donaldson Inlet Barrier Filters Selected for Twelve New AW139 Air Medical Helicopters

Twelve new AW139 air medical helicopters—all equipped with Donaldson AW139 Inlet Barrier Filters (IBFs)—enter service in Australia, joining numerous other air operators that already use the advanced filter to keep their aircraft flying at peak performance.

Two new operators, Toll Helicopters and Hunter Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Services, chose to have Donaldson IBFs installed on their AW139s. It marks the largest AW139 IBF contract sale in Australia to date for Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, a division of Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI).

The Donaldson IBF-equipped AW139s support the NSW (New South Wales) Ambulance helicopter retrieval service. Toll Helicopters operates eight AW139s in the NSW southern region while Hunter Westpac flies four IBF-equipped aircraft in the NSW northern region. They join other air medical operators, including Careflight Australia, already flying lifesaving missions in Australia with Donaldson IBF protection. They are expected to complete thousands of lifesaving missions in the coming year.

The helicopters will operate across a vast range of environments across NSW, from coastlines to regional areas and the Outback. Having a superior engine filtration system is critical to completing their lifesaving missions.

“Salt water along the coastline and dust and sand in the Outback present real threats to helicopters,” says Matt Fortuna, general manager for Donaldson, Global Aerospace & Defense. “By using Donaldson IBF systems, operators in Australia have taken steps to extend engine life and reduce program operating costs by preventing damage from the elements."

AW139 IBFs are available for installation on new aircraft at the factory, MRO facilities or completion centers. They are also offered as an aftermarket installation to upgrade fielded aircraft.

To learn more about the Donaldson Aerospace & Defense group, visit www.DonaldsonAerospace-Defense.com.