STC Granted For Three Bell Platforms, Others Pending

HeliSAS, Cobham’s Autopilot and Stability Augmentation System, has been granted an STC by the FAA on Bell 206B, 206L, and 407 helicopters. By reducing pilot workload and increasing aircraft stability, HeliSAS sets a new standard in helicopter safety.

HeliSAS provides precise control during all modes of flight, regardless of wind conditions or shifts in weight. The system is designed to be engaged at all times-- “on” before takeoff and “off” after landing, resulting in a significantly reduced pilot workload. If the helicopter is inadvertently flown to an extreme attitude, simply releasing the cyclic while HeliSAS is engaged will automatically return the helicopter to a near-level attitude. Hands-off flight is possible due to the HeliSAS attitude-command/attitude-hold SAS + full autopilot configuration. Robust autopilot functions, once reserved for military or large commercial helicopters, are now available to Bell 206B, 206L, and 407 operators. Cobham anticipates HeliSAS certification on the Eurocopter AS 350 model series.

HeliSAS will be offered domestically by authorized dealerships. Cobham has entered into a distribution agreement with DAC International for sales in Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and South America.

FMI: www.cobham.com/helisas