With this agreement, AKV is also developing a new interface device to be installed with each engine cycle counter, allowing the system to transmit recorded cycles to the Metro IRIS system.
The new Cycle Counter Interface Box, or CCIB, extracts recorded data from the cycle counter and seamlessly communicates it to the on board IRIS system for transmission. Development of the CCIB will be compatible with all AKV engine cycle counters and will include Bluetooth (BLE) for future use.
AKV president and founder Jonathan Gunn said, “We are honored that Metro has provided AKV this opportunity to supply our cycle counting system for their significant fleet of EC145s, of which it is one of the largest civilian operators of the EC145 in the world. After years of supplying the cycle counter for their completion customers, it solidifies their commitment and trust in our systems for their own fleet of EC145s.”
“Metro is the largest civilian operator of the 145 air frame,” said Metro managing director Milton Geltz. “The AKV EC145 Cycle Counter increases accuracy, reduces direct operating cost and with the CCIB, seamlessly integrates with IRIS. Our end game is to use this information along with time, landings and performance information in support of our electronic log book program. It is a great addition to our fleet.”
The AKV Dual Engine Cycle Counter kit part no. BK1172XCC is FAA, EASA and CASA supplemental type certificate (STC) approved for the BK117 A1 – C2 (EC145). It is approved for both the LTS101 and Arriel 1E(2) engines. It is also a Safran validated system that complies with the latest changes regarding partial cycle counting for the free turbine (Np).
In addition, an FAA approved “Daily Coherence Check” via the Instruction for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) provides a means to conform with the Safran validation requirements and is designed as an alternate cycle counting system over the OEM system which is subject to an FAA and EASA AD in the EC145.
The AKV line of engine cycle counters for the Arriel 1, LTS101, T53, T55 & Makila 1 are designed to replace the pilot’s manual counting method with an accurate, fully computerized counter, and will save on average 25 to 30 percent in accrued cycles compared with manual cycle counting alone.
The system accumulates and display’s Ng and Np daily flight cycles with separate cycle totals along with real time rpm’s for Ng and Np, Ng Max, an engine start counter, Ng and Np operations counter, flight time and engine run accumulation times on two independent computers and LCD screens. The optional Ground Support Programming Kit P/N CC-GSE allows maintenance to enter current data into the cycle counter.
Engine cycle counters
About AKV Inc: By using our engine cycle counters which utilize the engine manufacturers least conservative method, it guarantees lower cycle accumulation for your engines compared to the conservative pilot method. This means big savings over the life of the engine by maximizing the it's cycle life which in turn decreases the operational cost of your aircraft.
All of our cycle counters are field programmable which greatly eases the installation in existing aircraft by allowing current cycle accumulation's as well as flight and engine runs times for the cycle counter to be updated. Any future changes to the cycle counting algorithm required by the engine manufacture can also be updated using the field programming kit.
In 2012, AKV obtained Turbomeca validation for the Arriel 1 engine cycle counters installed in the AS350 and EC145. Through extensive testing, the validation guarantee's our cycle counters follow the approved algorithm for the Arriel 1 series engines.
Our NEW ETM1000 Exceedence and Trend Monitoring System is designed to provide an affordable solution by providing a turn-key system which includes the airframe wire harness and graphing software with NO yearly maintenance fees. Our goal is to provide today's technology in an affordable package that is easy to install and provide the ultimate in assurance for all operators.
All parameters are continually monitored and record historical data with date and time stamp of normal conditions along with duration of exceedences. An instrument panel annunciator provides visual caution/warning indications, system health and audible warning side tones for the pilot's headset. All data is continually written to a removable SD card where the recorded data can be transferred to a PC running Microsoft Office Excel 2010 providing a legible format for viewing.
See also |
EC145 in
Metro Aviation 
Helicopters Engines 
