Helicopter Air Start Unit (HASU)
The HASU provides an emergency starting facility for the Augusta-Westland EH101
helicopter. In usual operation the helicopter’s main engines are started using compressed air from the on-board Auxiliary
Power Unit (APU). If the APU fails the conventional solution is to fly in
another helicopter and join them together using a ‘buddy-buddy’ air hose. However, the large rotor diameter of the EH101 means that the hose
would be too long to be effective. The HASU is a lightweight, self-contained
power module capable of providing sufficient air to start the EH101’s main engines. With fully automated air demand detection the HASU is very
simple to use and, once connected to the helicopter and started, requires no
manual control.
The HASU is light enough (120Kg) to be transported easily in an EH101 or similar
aircraft and has an integral fuel tank, connection hose and battery pack. 4
telescopic lifting handles aid manual handling and 2 wheels allow for ‘wheelbarrow’ manoeuvring.
A full range of bespoke test equipment is available.
