SPAES GmbH & Co. KG, September 03, 2024 - Karlsruhe, Germany - SPAES successfully completes the certification of an additional handle for a life raft in its own EASA Part 21J Design Organization
In a recent project, SPAES completed a certification of an additional handle for a life raft in an Airbus H155 Helicopters for its customer Northern HeliCopter. This improvement involves the addition of an extra handle for the deployment of life rafts, which are an essential safety feature designed to protect crew and passengers in the event of an emergency water landing.
The Airbus H155 Helicopters, which operate over water, are equipped with life rafts positioned on both the left and right sides, beneath the passenger exits. Traditionally, these rafts are deployed using an external handle that triggers the release mechanism.
The new EASA directive “Flight over water emergency equipment” [CS26.420(c)] mandates the installation of an additional handle on the underside of the life raft containers. This handle, connected to a cable mechanism, activates the deployment of the life raft. To comply with these safety regulations, SPAES has certified the additional handle and ensured it meets all operational requirements.
The deployment mechanism involves a steel cable that must be adjusted to the correct length during installation, as the cables available on the market are often too long. After the cable is cut to the appropriate length, the shortened end is fitted with a stainless steel ball end to ensure reliable operation. The installation was performed by the Part 145 Maintenance Organization of the customer.
Additionally, each modified cable is tested to confirm that it can withstand the necessary loads post-modification.
The handle for a life raft in an Airbus H155 helicopter
About SPAES : SPAES GmbH & Co. KG is a growing company in the aviation industry. Specialized in tactical mission equipment and medical systems, the portfolio includes products and services, but also design and certification of special equipment, own products and EMS systems as well as their integration and certification in airplanes and helicopters which will be certified in accordance with European aviation norms and standards.
As an independent EASA Part 21J Design Organization SPAES offers the execution of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), Minor Change and Minor Repair in the area of avionics, cabin interior, structure, electrical systems, NVIS and medical equipment.
In our own EASA Part 21G Production Organization we manufacture customer specific and own products as well as installation KITs with CoC or EASA Form 1, which are installed in the aircraft by Part 145 Organizations.
Joachim Schanz, owner and CEO of SPAES, founded the company in Mannheim in 2014. In 2019 the headquarters was moved from Mannheim to Karlsruhe.
In a recent project, SPAES completed a certification of an additional handle for a life raft in an Airbus H155 Helicopters for its customer Northern HeliCopter. This improvement involves the addition of an extra handle for the deployment of life rafts, which are an essential safety feature designed to protect crew and passengers in the event of an emergency water landing.
The Airbus H155 Helicopters, which operate over water, are equipped with life rafts positioned on both the left and right sides, beneath the passenger exits. Traditionally, these rafts are deployed using an external handle that triggers the release mechanism.
The new EASA directive “Flight over water emergency equipment” [CS26.420(c)] mandates the installation of an additional handle on the underside of the life raft containers. This handle, connected to a cable mechanism, activates the deployment of the life raft. To comply with these safety regulations, SPAES has certified the additional handle and ensured it meets all operational requirements.
The deployment mechanism involves a steel cable that must be adjusted to the correct length during installation, as the cables available on the market are often too long. After the cable is cut to the appropriate length, the shortened end is fitted with a stainless steel ball end to ensure reliable operation. The installation was performed by the Part 145 Maintenance Organization of the customer.
Additionally, each modified cable is tested to confirm that it can withstand the necessary loads post-modification.
The handle for a life raft in an Airbus H155 helicopter
About SPAES : SPAES GmbH & Co. KG is a growing company in the aviation industry. Specialized in tactical mission equipment and medical systems, the portfolio includes products and services, but also design and certification of special equipment, own products and EMS systems as well as their integration and certification in airplanes and helicopters which will be certified in accordance with European aviation norms and standards.
As an independent EASA Part 21J Design Organization SPAES offers the execution of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), Minor Change and Minor Repair in the area of avionics, cabin interior, structure, electrical systems, NVIS and medical equipment.
In our own EASA Part 21G Production Organization we manufacture customer specific and own products as well as installation KITs with CoC or EASA Form 1, which are installed in the aircraft by Part 145 Organizations.
Joachim Schanz, owner and CEO of SPAES, founded the company in Mannheim in 2014. In 2019 the headquarters was moved from Mannheim to Karlsruhe.
See also |
SPAES AS365 / EC155 in
Northern HeliCopter GmbH EASA European Commission
