This past summer, Astronautics supported test flights to achieve European Aviation Safety Agency type certification on the aircraft. The company has also delivered final wACS software updates for production aircraft.
“Astronautics has completed formal test flights, as well as software updates on the wACS for Airbus Helicopters in support of its various platforms,” said President of Astronautics Chad Cundiff.
“We look forward to working with Airbus Helicopters as this advanced communications system becomes standard fit for these new production helicopters.”
Astronautics’ wACS will progressively provide Airbus Helicopters and its operators the ability to:
- Connect their helicopters to the Airbus Helicopters data lake via the Airbus Helionix avionics suite, allowing operators to leverage their data for enhanced safety, optimized costs, and higher availability with the use of Airbus HCare analytics services.
-- Increasing operational safety and faster performance computation when preparing for a flight.
-- Supporting flight operations with maintenance anticipation for easy decision making for next flights.
-- Flight debriefing made easier with improved schedules and unscheduled maintenance management.
-- Speeding up defect location and adaptive ranking of troubleshooting steps for easier maintenance. Aggregate and securely transfer operational and maintenance data to onboard repository, over Wi-Fi or cellular connection, with cybersecurity ensured via encryption with two independent layers of security.
- Securely connect pilot/crew tablets with on-board avionics while in flight.
- Securely pull data and software updates from the ground to the aircraft wirelessly.
- Store and retrieve hundreds of hours of operational data within the system.
Each shipset consists of the airborne communications server (AFS6400), connectivity module (AFS6460), remote media device (AFS6480), to create a complete air-to-ground, secure data transmission system.
New Enhancements to RoadRunner EFI
Astronautics Corporation of America is releasing enhancements to its AFI4700 RoadRunner Electronic Flight Instrument (EFI).
The latest updates include further enhancements that improve integration with all H-60 platforms, as well as support for additional military functions such as Tactical Air Navigation Systems (TACAN).
“Astronautics prides itself on continually evolving the RoadRunner EFI to address our customers’ unique requirements and expand the capabilities of the product across multiple platforms,” said Astronautics Vice President of Sales and Business Development Greg Plantz.
The RoadRunner EFI is an easy-to-install and cost-effective replacement for existing attitude director and horizontal situational indicator functionality to a modern electronic flight instrument system, enabling enhanced safety features including localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) approaches.
The RoadRunner EFI also provides operators readability in all lighting conditions, familiar and easy-to-use controls, reduced operating and maintenance costs, and minimal downtime for installation. The unit is easily upgradeable with new software functionality tailorable to customer needs and mission requirements.
The RoadRunner EFI has supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for Leonardo A109/119 aircraft with Bell 212/412/214 STC approval expected shortly. The RoadRunner EFI is also installed on Sikorsky HH-60L/Firehawk conversions for Ventura County Fire Department and Santa Barbara County.
Astronautics’ authorized dealer network sells and services the RoadRunner EFI.
To learn more about the RoadRunner EFI and its capabilities at HAI Heli-Expo 2020, visit Astronautics on stand 1428. RoadRunner EFI demonstration units will also be featured on the following stands highlighting the system’s easy installation and superior viewability: Rotorcraft Services Group for the Bell 412 (stand 2416); StandardAero (stand 2824) as part of its SAFECRAFT system; Avidyne Corporation interfacing with its FMS/GPS Navigator (stand 7727); and Maxcraft Avionics Ltd. (stand 3905).
RoadRunner EFI on Bell 212 and 412
Astronautics Corporation of America, in partnership with Rotorcraft Services Group (RSG), has completed submission for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certificate (STC) for its AFI4700 RoadRunner Electronic Flight Instrument (EFI) on Bell 212 and 412 aircraft with certification expected near term.
RSG is an authorized RoadRunner EFI dealer, installer, and PMA kit provider for Bell 212/412 retrofits.
“STC approval on these Bell aircraft will give even more helicopter operators access to the cost, ease, and safety benefits of Astronautics’ RoadRunner when upgrading to modern electronic flight instrument systems on their helicopter fleets,” said Astronautics vice president of Sales and Business Development Greg Plantz.
The RoadRunner EFI is an easy-to-install and cost-effective replacement for existing attitude director and horizontal situation indicator functionality to a modern electronic flight instrument system, enabling enhanced safety features such as localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) approaches.
The RoadRunner EFI also provides operators readability in all lighting conditions, familiar and easy-to-use controls, reduced operating and maintenance costs, and minimal downtime for installation. The unit is easily upgradeable with new software functionality tailorable to customer needs and mission requirements.
The RoadRunner EFI has an FAA STC for Leonardo A109/119 helicopters and bilateral validation with European Aviation Safety Agency and Brazil Agência Nacional de Aviação.
Astronautics’ authorized dealer network sells and services the RoadRunner EFI.
To learn more about the RoadRunner EFI and its capabilities at HAI Heli-Expo 2020, visit Astronautics at booth 1428 and for details specific to the 212/214 visit RSG at booth 2416.
RoadRunner EFI demonstration units will also be featured on the following stands highlighting the system’s easy installation and superior viewability: RSG for the Bell 412 (booth 2416), StandardAero (booth 2824) as part of its SAFECRAFT system, Avidyne Corporation interfacing with its FMS/GPS Navigator (booth 7727), and Maxcraft Avionics Ltd. (booth 3905).
Badger Pro+ for Bell 412EPX and 429
Astronautics Corporation of America is providing its Badger Pro+ integrated flight display system to Bell, a Textron company, for Bell 412EPX and Bell 429 new production rotorcraft.
Astronautics’ Badger Pro+ consists of six- by eight-inch, high-resolution displays showing primary flight, navigation, and engine data, as well as system synoptics, weight and balance, and checklist information. The system is also able to display high-definition video from multiple inputs and provides night vision compatibility. Badger Pro+ integrates information from across all the systems on the aircraft to provide an operationally advanced pilot interface.
Badger Pro+ is the latest generation of Astronautics’ Badger display family with demonstrated reliability over one million flight hours in the harshest environments.
“Astronautics has built its reputation on designing reliable, trusted, and innovative solutions that solve our customers’ toughest challenges. The Badger Pro+ system provides Bell 412EPX and Bell 429 operators with enhanced situational awareness to reduce pilot workload and exceptional video capabilities for mission support — all with cost effectiveness,” said Astronautics president Chad Cundiff. “The readability of the displays is world class with color, contrast, letter sizing, and fonts that provide exceptional viewability. The displays also excel at presenting customizable video in multiple formats.”
Key highlights of the Badger Pro+ system include superior graphics and readability, versatile high-resolution video, and proven reliability with operational savings.
Astronautics will be demonstating the Badger Pro+ integrated flight display system during Heli-Expo, Jan. 28 to 30 in Anaheim, California.
About Astronautics: Astronautics Corporation of America, headquartered in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, is a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of secure avionics equipment and systems for the commercial and military aerospace industry. Key product areas include electronic primary flight and engine displays, connected aircraft and cyber solutions, electronic flight bags, and certified servers for airborne applications. Services include avionics system integration and custom software for critical applications.
Since its founding in 1959, Astronautics has been providing trusted, reliable, and tailored solutions to help clients achieve mission success. Astronautics is the parent company of Kearfott Corporation, headquartered in Woodland Park, New Jersey
Astronics' Enhanced Vision Systems Receive Canadian Approval for Bell 407
Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO), a leading provider of advanced technologies for global aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries, announced today that an amended Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) has been approved by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) for its Max-Viz 1400 and 1200 Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) on Bell 407 helicopters.
Astronics expects that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) validation will follow within six months. Astronics obtained the approval for its MaxViz 1400 and 1200 EVS in cooperation with AVIO dg in Calgary, Canada. The first installation of the certified Max-Viz 1400 equipment is on a Bell 407GXI, for a VIP client, by Wysong Enterprises, Inc.
"The Astronics Max-Viz technology provides pilots with an unprecedented level of situational awareness and safety," said Tom Geiger, Max-Viz Business Unit Director for Astronics. "We worked closely with AVIO dg to get this technology approved for daily missions on Bell 407 series helicopters," he added.
Astronics' Max-Viz 1200 and 1400 systems are lightweight, solid-state, low power, and feature an uncooled thermal camera. The sensor image displays on any cockpit equipment that accepts NTSC or PAL/Analog RS-170 video signals, including MFDs (Multi Function Displays), PFDs (Primary Flight Displays) or on standalone displays depending on aircraft configurations.
Astronics' Max-Viz EVS provides improved safety through enhanced vision, enabling pilots to see more precisely in adverse weather conditions, such as haze, smoke, smog, and light fog, even on the darkest night. At night, pilots can also see and avoid clouds for a smoother ride. While landing, pilots using the Max-Viz EVS can identify the runway and view the terrain clearly to avoid wildlife and unlit obstructions.
A ruling from the FAA permitting properly equipped aircraft to fly certain Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) approaches to landing, in lieu of natural vision, has recently driven additional acceptance of EVS technology. Of the over 3,500 installed Astronics Max-Vis EVS systems, approximately 60 percent are on fixed-wing general aviation aircraft and 40 percent are operating on rotor wing aircraft. With Supplemental and Type Certificates in both aircraft types, Astronics offers products built on more than 15 years of success in enhanced vision systems.
About Astronics: Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) serves the world's aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries with proven, innovative technology solutions. Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors and test technologies to solve complex challenges. For 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness. Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, militaries, completion centers and Fortune 500 companies rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics.
ABOUT AVIO dg: Avio dg is a full-service Aerospace design, engineering and certification company, Avio-dg has over 70 combined years of experience in electrical/avionics, structural, and new product design. Avio dg will serve as point of contact for obtaining new installations of the Max-Viz 1200 and 1400 with this STC
The Astronautics RoadRunner Electronic Flight Instrument (EFI) installed on FireHawk helicopter
RoadRunner EFI on Bell 212 and Bell 412
Badger Pro+ for Bell 412EPX and Bell 429
Astronics Enhanced Vision Systems Receive Canadian Approval for Bell 407
See also |
Astronautics Corp State of Wisconsin Airbus H145D2 / EC145T2
Sikorsky Commercial UH-60
Helicopters Avionics Bell 212
Bell 429
Bell 407
