Asian S-61 fleet to receive Universal Avionics flight deck upgrade
Universal Avionics and Heli-One have been busy at Helitech International 2016 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where the two companies have made several announcements. The first announcement was that cockpit upgrades are to be performed on a fleet of Sikorsky S-61A-4 NURI helicopters for an Asian operator, featuring Universal’s EFI-890H advanced flight displays and multi-missions management system (MMMS). Universal Avionics authorized dealer, Heli-One, is set to perform the design and installation for the initial aircraft with an Asian maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organization performing the upgrades for the remainder of the fleet.
“This program is the latest in our ongoing partnership with Heli-One,” said Grady Dees, Universal Avionics director of technical sales. “Heli-One has proven its expertise in complex integrations throughout our relationship and in leveraging the integration flexibility of the EFI-890H and FMS/MMMS. Together, we will be able to offer the best solution yet for modernization of the avionics in the S-61 platform. Future enhancements to provide additional functionality are already in planning at Universal Avionics.”
The S-61 upgrade includes four EFI-890H advanced flight displays and a single UNS-1Lw MMMS, Universal’s flight management system (FMS) for mission support. The displays and MMMS integrate with new dual LCR-100 attitude heading reference system sensors, dual Thommen AC-32 air data computers, dual Rockwell Collins NAV-4000s, DF-938 direction finder, a single DME-4000 and a new EuroAvionics EuroNav 7 mission computer.
“Universal Avionics has been a key partner in our recent success with our flight deck upgrade initiatives,” said Anthony DiNota, president, Heli-One. “The collaborative work between Heli-One and Universal has yielded terrific results for customers. Our solutions-focused, customer-based approach allows us to provide tailored programs that expand operational capability and add value to their aircraft.”
STC approval for AS332L/L1 advanced flight display upgrade
The second was that Heli-One has received supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its Universal Avionics EFI-890H advanced flight display upgrade from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada (TCCA). This STC is a part of the AS332L and L1 modernization program currently underway with the Bundespolizei German Police (BPOL) and contracted by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
The program includes a new Universal Avionics FMS to integrate with the displays. This STC covers the flight information display upgrade, replacing analogue systems with two 8.9-inch digital ‘smart’ displays, increasing operational capability, reducing issues with aging instruments, and eliminating the costs of replacing or maintaining older analogue displays.
The EFI-890H advanced displays are capable of customization to show all primary flight information in a pilot-friendly, intuitive interface, enhancing safety, improving situational awareness and reducing pilot workload. The dual screen installation allows for special mission equipment integration, such as synthetic vision with 3D terrain awareness. Combined with the upgraded FMS, this cutting-edge and mission-specific navigation and control panel upgrade gives BPOL added long-term value to their AS332 fleet.
STC approval for AS332L/L1 flight management system upgrade
The final announcement made by Heli-One and Universal Avionics was that Heli-One has also received STC approval for its flight management system (FMS) upgrade for the Airbus AS332L and AS332L1 from the EASA and TCCA. This STC is also part of the AS332L/L1 modernization program currently underway with the BPOL and contracted by NSPA.
The FMS has a dual configuration and uses the latest satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) technology, including GPS and localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) approach. To support police operations, the installed FMS also includes a MMMS, allowing pilots to fly any one of six predefined search patterns.
By leveraging Universal-customized electronic flight information system (EFIS) software for AS332L/L1, the FMS can be fully coupled to the autopilot system to realize auto-fly in all flight phases.
