Sat, Sep 02, 2006
Helo Ready For Service After Two Month Job
Representatives with Canada's Kitchener Aero told ANN this week
a major Canadian energy sector company and long-time KAAV customer
recently purchased a new Eurocopter EC120B "Colibri" for use in
surveying, inspecting and managing its vast network of service,
supply and delivery systems. The helicopter was flown directly to
KAAV for avionics completion and special missions modifications
following delivery from the manufacturer.
The EC120B arrived with a basic avionics and gyro suite.
KAAV’s role was to design, install, and certify an extensive
Avionics and Special Missions package. The mod project began in
June and concluded in August -- inclusive of flight tests,
certification and client acceptance. This marks the fourth unique
Special Missions rotorcraft mod project to be completed and
delivered by KAAV in the past 24 months.
Most visible among the upgrades is the big 2-screen Sagem ICDS-8
EFIS Flight Display system, which is fully integrated with the
Sagem PA-85 2-Axis Autopilot System. Attitude and Heading reference
for the EFIS and Autopilot Systems is supplied by a LITEF LCR-92
AHRS System. Not nearly as visible, but an important part of the
special missions mods is a state-of-the-art fixed, downward facing
camera system, images from which can be displayed on the MFD
Display.
"As is our practice, we
optimize cockpit design to the specific mission profile," said
Barry Aylward, President of KAAV. "I think the end result speaks
for itself, and that opinion is shared by a few other EC-120
operators who have been by our shop. We are optimistic that this
will translate into additional EC-120B business in the near
future."
The equipment package that KAAV installed and certified
incorporates the following:
- Sagem PA85-120 2-Axis Autopilot System with optional Altitude
and Airspeed Hold
- Sagem ICDS-8 2-Screen EFIS (PFD/MFD)
- LITEF LCR-92 AHRS System
- NAT AMS 44 Audio Panel
- Garmin GNS 530 & GNS 430 Nav/Com/GPS Systems
- Garmin GTX 327 Transponder
- Garmin GDL 69 DataLink XM Weather System
- Avidyne TAS-620 Traffic Awareness System
- Honeywell KRA-405B Radar Altimeter System
- Technisonic TFM-403 UHF FM Comm System
- Custom Digital Camera & Video Recording System
- Sagem MFD (with optional Aux Video Card for real-time display
of camera image)
The Eurocopter "Colibri" (or model EC120B), is a light
single-engine helicopter designed to carry up to four passengers
plus the pilot. The 120 model of Eurocopter has become a favourite
among the special missions market of rotor aviation operators. EC
120s can frequently be found in use for aerial law enforcement,
electronic news gathering and utility monitoring and operations
support.
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