The FAA has granted True Blue Power a type certificate for its TB17 lithium-ion battery for the Robinson Helicopter Co. R66, True Blue said. The company also holds a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Robinson R44, and is type certificated as standard equipment on the Bell Helicopter 505 Jet Ranger XTM.

TB17 is an engine-start battery with 17 amp hours. It weighs 16 pounds, True Blue said. The R66’s standard battery is 42 pounds, and the optional high-capacity battery is 52 pounds. True Blue said its battery offers 60%-90% reduced maintenance cost, increased payload and more efficient high-energy starts.

True Blue said the TB17 is engineered with proprietary Nanophosphate lithium-ion cell chemistry. The battery system provides multiple layers of electronic protection, and gives pilots real-time battery status.