A new GPS moving map system is now available for the R44 Raven II Police Helicopter. To create the system Robinson combined software designed by Greg Taylor of Flight Management Systems with existing R44 hardware. With this combination the operator can type in a particular address, which is then displayed on a street map showing the location of the address along with the position of the helicopter.

Direction, distance, and estimated time of arrival are also displayed, providing the police with an easy-to-use map to guide them to their destination.

The FAA-approved installation includes a Stealth personal computer with Intel 1.2 GHz Celeron processor, custom keyboard and moving map software. The image is displayed on the same 10-inch Transvideo fold-down monitor currently used with the FLIR infrared camera system.

Buttons on the screen allow the observer to switch between the FLIR images and map display. GPS helicopter position data is provided by the Garmin 420 GPS/Com, standard equipment on the Police Helicopter.

The onboard computer system also accommodates a mobile data terminal “MDT” system which allows two-way communication with the dispatch computers at the police station and in squad cars. The observer can obtain unit status, vehicle descriptions, active call information, and respond to calls directly through the computer. Call addresses posted on the dispatch screen can be pasted directly into the moving map address window, eliminating keystrokes and reducing response time.

List price for the moving map option is US $15,000 which includes installation of parcel map data (supplied by police agency where available). Weight of the added optional equipment is approximately 10 lbs. After six months of testing the system in his R44 Police Helicopter, Leo Bell of CA Aviation Services feels that “with the moving map and MDT system, the R44 is now one of the best equipped police helicopters available.”

FMI: www.robinsonheli.com