Health And Flight Data System For Light And Medium Helicopters

The U.S. affiliate of Airbus Helicopters, is collaborating with Ultra Electronics-Flightline Systems, of Victor, N.Y. to evaluate the first comprehensive and integrated Health Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) and Flight Data Monitoring (HFDM) system to evaluate the potential to make these systems standard equipment on Part 27 and light Part 29 helicopters of the Airbus Helicopter family.

The agreement will commence with a technology demonstration phase to prove the full potential of the first digital distributed light helicopter health monitoring system. This effort is expected to be completed by August 2015.

This new generation health monitoring system, which incorporates new technology in health data acquisition and analytics, is expected to greatly enhance safety while giving operators tools they can use to significantly improve their operations, maintenance and safety programs.

The capabilities provided by the HUMS system create another step in the development of new Airbus Helicopters Support and Services strategies to give customers the support they need to optimize aircraft systems utilization. Development and implementation of HUMS will provide data that will allow operators to anticipate spares and service needs, reduce maintenance cost and maximize operational availability.

Health and condition monitoring will enable Airbus Helicopters Inc. to tailor its service offerings to helicopter operators systems, including the Component Support Program, MRO programs and to implement Condition Based Logistics providing customers with proactive and predictive support.

Airbus Helicopter will be the first OEM to offer this service for light and medium helicopters and to deploy the first Prognostic Health Monitoring capable system in the rotorcraft industry.

By employing the latest, lightweight digital technology and advanced analytics, Airbus Helicopters customers in the U.S. market will be able to predict how varying degrees of aircraft utilization have a direct effect on its “health.” Using this information, operators will be able to adjust flight operations to maximize availability; aligning maintenance with revenue operations and turning unscheduled events into predictable scheduled events. Airbus Helicopters will also be better able to plan for and stock spares and components for when they will be needed by operators.

“We are excited to be able to bring this innovative, cutting edge technology and service for light helicopters to our customers in the U.S. market,” said Marc Paganini, President and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Helicopters Inc.

Implementation of the HUMS and Flight Data Monitoring systems will allow EMS operators to become compliant with the recently published EMS Flight Data Monitoring FAA requirements.

Once certified for each model the system will be available for retrofits.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.airbushelicopters.com