BLR Aerospace receives FAA approval for UH-60 Black Hawk FastFin system

By Jen Nevans | November 29, 2022

BLR Aerospace has received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk FastFin system. It’s encouraging news for Black Hawk operators looking to improve the operating capabilities and performance of their helicopters.

“There’s a lot of interest and pent-up demand for our FastFin system, particularly from the restricted category utility operators,” Keith Ray, director of commercial helicopters at BLR Aerospace, told Vertical.

With the FastFin system now certified for installation on the Black Hawk, operators can give this already powerful machine an additional boost in performance — in the neighborhood of 500 to 600 pounds (225 to 275 kilograms) of useful load improvements, depending on the altitude, temperature and other factors, Ray said.

“BLR’s UH-60 FastFin system is just another example of how BLR’s patented FastFin system can dramatically improve the performance of an existing helicopter,” said Mike Carpenter, president of BLR, in a press release. “We are excited to bring this innovative product to market for the benefit of UH-60 operators worldwide.”

BLR claims its UH-60 FastFin technology results in significant safety, stability and wind azimuth benefits, making the FastFin system an effective enhancement for operators working in the air medical field, firefighting, heli-skiing, and other utility services.

“If you’re more efficient and you have more useful load capability, you can put yourself in a better position in the bidding process for contracts,” Ray said. “In addition, the improved torque and temperature margins that come from the improved efficiencies will allow operators to see a reduction in the wear and tear on their aircraft — that’s the return on investment.”

Ray said the UH-60 FastFin system could also deliver a 10 percent improvement in pedal margins and reduce pilot workload and fatigue.

BLR currently has STCs on a range of Bell and Airbus helicopters, including all Bell mediums, Airbus H125, AS350, and AH-1 Cobra. The company’s decision to obtain an STC for the Black Hawk FastFin is a demonstration of BLR’s confidence and commitment to the aircraft model.

“I have friends who have invested in Black Hawk capabilities because they recognize the Black Hawk is the next Huey,” he said. “The Black Hawk is going to replace a lot of the traditional aircraft that we’re accustomed to.”

In addition to opening new doors for BLR to work with militaries using its UH-60 enhancement system, the company also recognizes trends in the future workforce that would be available to support this aircraft.

“Black Hawks have been around for a while and there’s quite a few of them,” Ray said. “There’s a substantial pool of flight, maintenance, avionics and support personnel to operate the aircraft, so it’s just natural that it would find its own niche market.”