Genesys Aerosystems announced that it has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) for its avionics suite utilizing the IDU-450 featuring 8.0H software on the Airbus EC145e. The IDU-450 coupled with the recently announced IFR (instrument flight rules) HeliSAS allows operators to fly IFR either in single or dual pilot operations.
The Genesys configuration certified on the EC145e includes four IDU-450 displays in a dual-sided PFD/MFD format with dual redundant ADAHRS, dual GPS/FMS and IFR-certified HeliSAS stability augmentation system and three-axis autopilot. The Level A certified IDU-450 is a lightweight (only 4.5 lbs. or 2 kg) comprehensive EFIS display that offers high-resolution LCD glass depicting 3D Synthetic Vision, Highway-In-The-Sky (HITS), Enhanced HTAWS, Integrated FMS, Hover Vector and many more features.
“When the EC145e is delivered from the Airbus factory, it is configured for VFR operations; however, prime customers for this platform such as HEMS, offshore and law enforcement operators often require the capability of IFR operations,” said Jamie Luster, director of sales and marketing for Genesys Aerosystems. “With the cost-effective Genesys avionics suite, any customer can gain IFR capability for far less than the price of a buying a new IFR-capable helicopter from the factory.”
The STC was achieved with Metro Aviation, which has contracted with Airbus for delivery of 25 EC145e helicopters. Metro plans to deliver the upgraded aircraft in its Shreveport, Louisiana, facility to its customers’ specifications based upon the mission profiles of the operator, this month.
“As more and more operators are looking to modernize and increase fleet utilization, this will be a very popular upgrade,” Luster added. “Operators around the world have been asking for this kind of solution and we are excited to have an upgrade for them.”
Both products will be on display at the Genesys Aerosystems booth (B8017) at HAI Heli-Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, March 5 to 7.