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.

FMI: www.kitcheneraero.com