News for Immediate Release

BLR Contact: Dave George Phone: (425) 353-6591 Fax: (425) 355-3046 E-mail: dave@blrvgs.com

NRC Contact: Bill Gubbels Phone: (613) 998-3567 Fax: (613) 952-1704 E-mail: bill.gubbels@nrc.ca

NRC Canada Completes BLR Test Flights for
412 Strake Mod
Everett, WA May 24, 2001: The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) just completed test flights of the BLR dual strake modification, which is based on technology patented by NASA Langley Research Center, Virginia. The testing took place on NRC's Bell 412 Advanced Systems Research Aircraft at the NRC facility in Ottawa, Canada. Oversight of the test program was coordinated with Transport Canada and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). BLR is applying for both FAA and Transport Canada approvals and has plans to offer the device to commercial and military operators of the Bell 412 Helicopter.

NRC Canada has interest in the dual strake modification as a potential means to reduce required control inputs for yaw and to improve handling qualities of the baseline helicopter. Flight-testing with the BLR strake device installed subjectively revealed improved hover stability and handling qualities. A more extensive test with the device is planned for later this coming fall to quantify additional performance benefits.

The NRC Flight Research Laboratory is currently in the final stages of modifying its' Bell 412 HP helicopter to incorporate a full-authority simplex experimental fly-by-wire system. The system will give the aircraft increased capability to perform handling qualities and control system research, in addition to capabilities in the area of cockpit technologies research. Hardware includes a fully programmable artificial feel system, a 4-axis side arm controller, an advanced engineering workstation, a data recording system, an audio cueing system, and a speech recognition system.

NRC Canada undertakes and/or promotes R&D in matters affecting the design, manufacture, performance, use and safety of aerospace vehicles. NRC maintains an expertise in, and operates national facilities for, aerodynamic testing, structures and materials research, aero acoustic research, flight testing, airborne simulation, airborne sensing, aero propulsion research, icing research, materials processing technologies, advanced manufacturing, non-destructive testing, diagnostic systems and many other related areas. NRC actively seeks clients, collaborators, and licensees for its services and expertise. Boundary Layer Research, Inc. is a Washington State based company that designs and develops products based on boundary layer airflow. Mr. Robert Desroche founded the company in 1992. BLR products have already brought performance enhancements to more than sixty models of airplanes in over ninety countries. Modifications include vortex generators, winglets, wing-tip tanks, airframe strakes, flow modifiers and landing gear upgrades.