Flotation Systems.

Emergency Flotation Equipment

For over 35 years FPT have supplied emergency flotation equipment for a range of military and civil helicopters worldwide FPT continue to develop new materials and fabrication techniques for this application and are a recognized authority in the specification, design, manufacture and qualification of complete emergency flotation systems. Our comprehensive services include initial stability investigations using computer simulation software, followed by dynamic scaled model tests, qualification approval testing and installation of production systems onto the helicopter. Our systems have evolved to meet the requirement for lighter weight with enhanced performance and reliability in service. This has been achieved through a continuing development of advanced technology materials for the fabrication of floats and subsystems. FPT equipment is fitted to a range of helicopters including ALH, Kaman SH2G, Westland Agusta EH101, Sea King and Lynx, Sikorsky Blackhawk S70A and S92, Bell 205, 212, 427 and UH-1H, Boeing CH-46 Chinook, MD 500 series and MI 8 / 17 platforms.

Overview

FPT has been at the forefront of buoyancy and flotation design in emergency and routine application for over forty years. In that time we have created flotation systems for many applications from helicopters and armoured vehicles to missiles and torpedoes.

Some of these systems are designed to operate when there is a threat to life; others deploy as part of the operating cycle of the equipment. At FPT we have the capability to design flotation systems that use compressed bottled gases at low temperatures as well as systems that inflate using hot exhaust gasses; something that brings a unique set of challenges to our chemists and engineers.