Heli-Lynx STCs & PMAs

With over 30 STCs & PMAs approved worldwide Heli-Lynx can help you keep your AS350 or AS355 mission ready.

AS350

  • AS350FX Electrical Modifications
  • AS350 FX1 & FX2 Modifications
  • AS350 Oil Line Rerouting
  • AS350 Rear Seatbelt Installation
  • AS350 De-Icing Fuel Filter
  • AS350FX ADC Oil Filter Installation
  • AS350 Lumatech Caution Panel
  • AS350 PT Governor & FCU Control Arms

AS355

  • 355FX System Modifications
  • 355 FX1 & FX2 Performance Improvements
  • AS355 Heli-Lynx Anticipator Governor Cables
  • AS355 Airframe Mounted Engine Oil Filter
  • AS355 Rear Seatbelt Installation
  • AS355 De-Icing Fuel Filter
  • AS355 Lead Acid Battery
  • AS355 Lumatech Caution Panel

Generate Positive FX

Canada’s environment conditioned the creation of the FX program, necessitating simple, reliable and rugged designs that lent themselves to easy repair, impeccable performance and the lowest operating costs. These tenets have served the FX well, making it the ideal choice for harsh terrain and demanding flight conditions all over the world.

The FX design family consists of the 350FX and 355FX STCs, approved by Transport Canada, the FAA, and CAAs around the globe.

Heli-Lynx 355FX

Twin-engine light helicopters come with a specific set of design challenges for manufacturers. Is it to be an economical helicopter with an additional margin of safety, or fully mission-capable on a single engine? Is it to be lightweight and simple, or complex and robust? What role is it meant to fulfill?

The AS355 TwinStar embodies each of these design ideas through its various incarnations, and has fulfilled every role possible for a light twin. Heli-Lynx focuses on the older F1 and F2 versions, updating and improving them to deliver more adaptable platforms in the FX1 and FX2.

The FX electrical system was created to address the issues apparent in the earlier TwinStar models, before adaptation for the AStar. Gone are the overhead panel and glass fuses, the original wiring harness, the master electrical boxes, and the typical console. The OEM electrical system is replaced by the FX VFR electrical kit, employing two GCUs, a new main bus electrical circuit with a dedicated avionics buss and an isolatable essential buss. The power distribution and power generation panels are readily accessible via the aft baggage compartment, aiding in diagnosis and repair. All parts comprising the FX electrical kit are cost-effective and widely available from local suppliers.

The conversion makes further changes to solve historical headaches. Pilot workload is reduced through the aforementioned elimination of the overhead panel, coupled with a streamlined instrument console and simpler master switch panel to replace the push-button panel. Electroluminescent lighting strips increase instrument visibility and replace the old fibre light cables. Sealed push-pull cables replace the old Bowden spring-based engine control cables, ensuring immediate engine response without NR droop.

The FX process has the added benefit of reducing the equipped empty weight of the helicopters, making them more adaptable platforms. The transformation is significant enough that the FX1 and FX2 beat the AS350 B2 in terms of internal useful load, and rival the newer AS355 N model.

The 355FX conversion allows for several optional upgrades. Rolls Royce 250-C20R engines can replace the standard 250-C20F powerplants, increasing operational margins and improving performance in hot and high conditions. Coupled with this are the optional tail boom strake and wide-chord tail rotor for superior tail rotor authority.

The FX1 and FX2 offer low-cost options in a world of expensive light twins, with a proven track-record of reliability. Fast becoming favourites as corporate conveyances in busy metropolises such as New York City and Los Angeles, our TwinStars also serve as high-quality filming platforms and economical machines suited for urban operations.

Separate from the FX program, Heli-Lynx can perform several upgrades to the F1 and F2. For these options, please see the Maintenance section of the website.

Heli-Lynx 350FX

AS350 FX1

The FX1 offers an attractive mix of power and economy, ideal for remote operations, tours and private clients but easily adaptable to any scenario. Combining the FX electrical system, the BA to FX modifications, and the LTS101-600A-3A engine, we produce a helicopter with the same internal gross weight as a B2 but with lower maintenance and operating costs.

While putting out slightly less power than the 700D-2 or the Arriel 1D1, the 600A-3A shines as a reliable engine that maintains its power in hot and high conditions and one that burns far less fuel. On average, the FX1 goes through an average of 38 gph (143 L/h), extending its range and reducing the wet operating costs, a major benefit for tour operators and private individuals. Remote operations gain a further advantage as they need less fuel flown in, and can save their clients a substantial sum.

The FX1 complements the 600A-3A with a tail boom strake and a wide-chord tail rotor, enhancing its performance in heavy load and low speed operations by giving a noticeable increase in tail rotor authority.

AS350 FX2

The FX2 is the big sibling of the FX1, designed for heavy loads and superior performance in hot and high conditions. A favourite in the mining, forestry and oil & gas sectors, it incorporates the same airframe and electrical improvements as the FX1 and mates them with a superb engine in the LTS101-700D-2. The FX2 has the same internal and external gross weights as the AS350 B2, however the Honeywell-powered FX2 delivers additional upside.

The 700D-2 shares many of the 600A-3A’s characteristics, including low maintenance costs and comprehensive support. Coupled with the FX2 platform, it offers better operational margins and lifting capacity than the B2 as both altitude and temperature increase, as shown in the HIGE and HOGE charts. The wide-chord tail rotor, tail boom strake and improved accumulator are designed specifically to complement the 700D-2 in these conditions, giving the pilot a large boost in tail rotor authority at low speed and at gross weight. In addition, the FX2 burns close to 10% less fuel than the B2, not quite the economy of the FX1 but a healthy competitive advantage nonetheless.

The question often arises as to how the FX2 differs from Soloy’s SD2 kit. The FX2 conversion is a comprehensive modification available for multiple AStar platforms, whereas the SD2 is a straight engine switch from Arriel 1D1 to 700D-2, and only available for the B2 platform.
As a result of these improvements, the FX2 is perfectly suited for drill moves, seismic exploration, and forest fires. The benefits are readily apparent, as the Alberta government has shown by awarding the FX2 a higher rate than the B2.