Airwork NZ orders 100th LTS101-850B-2 engine

New Zealand company Airwork recently ordered its 100th LTS101-850B-2 engine from Honeywell. Airwork NZ offers a Eurocopter BK117 engine upgrade program swapping out LTS101-750 engines for the higher power -850 variant, an STC which is widely seen in the Pacific Rim.

New Zealand CAA approval was given in May 2010, followed by EASA approval 2012, and the upgraded aircraft is marketed as the BK117-850D2.

The upgrade replaces two 750shp for two 850shp engines, with many performance figures improving, particularly the One Engine Inoperative (OEI) ability which allows the BK117-850D2 to achieve Category A standard.

Airwork have a production line of upgrades they are working on, and purchased all 14 aircraft in the BK117 fleet of German EMS operator ADAC in early 2014. The 100th engine demonstrates the 50th upgrade is now being worked on.