True Blue Power announced today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Type Certification (TC) for the company's TB17 (17-amp hour) lithium-ion, engine-start battery on Robinson R66 helicopters. In addition to this recent certification, the TB17 is now STC approved on Robinson R44 helicopters and Type Certified as standard equipment on Bell Helicopter's new 505 Jet Ranger X.

True Blue Power's TB17 lithium-ion battery delivers unparalleled benefits to rotorcraft operators when compared to lead-acid and nickel cadmium alternatives. Weighing 16 pounds, the TB17 is significantly lighter than the R66's standard 42-pound battery or the optional high-capacity battery, which weighs 52 pounds.

The advanced lithium-ion battery offers 60-to-90 percent reduced maintenance cost, increased payload and more efficient high-energy starts. Engineered with proprietary Nanophosphate lithium-ion cell chemistry, the intelligent battery system provides several layers of electronic protection and communicates real-time battery status to the pilot.

True Blue Power operates within an AS9100C certified facility and specializes in the custom design and manufacture of advanced power solutions for the global aerospace industry. It is the first company in the world to achieve FAA TSO and EASA ETSO certification for lithium-ion batteries.