Business & GA

A vapour cycle cooling system for general aviation aircraft and light helicopters has been developed by TAT Technologies in Israel.

A first system will be installed next year on the Diamond DA50 four-seat piston engine aircraft. TAT president Shmuel Fledel says the new system will be efficient and light. The prototype is made of aluminium, but the series production aircraft will be made of composites and weigh around 26kg (57lb). The system developed for the DA50 uses a variable displacement compressor developed for the Mercedes-Benz C series cars. The DFN-70 compressor works continuously and allows easy control of the temperature in the aircraft.

TAT has an agreement with Italian aircraft developer OMA-SUD to install the cooling system in its SkyCar unpressurised piston twin under development. The Israeli company is also developing a similar system for installation in Robinson R44 helicopter.

This system is being developed in co-operation with TAT's two US subsidiaries Limco Airepair and Piedmont aviation services.