EFIS Will Be Part Of Factory Type-Certificate

Enstrom Helicopter has selected Chelton Flight Systems to supply the Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) for the company's Model 480B turbine whirlybird.

Under terms of the agreement, which was announced at Heli-Expo 2007 in Orlando, Enstrom will certify the Chelton EFIS as a part of the factory type certificate (TC) for the 480B turbine line of helicopters. This factory-installed configuration is expected to be available in late 3Q 2007.

The installation will include 2 Chelton EFIS displays, the newest release 6.0B software, Chelton's new compact digital air data and attitude/heading reference system, (ADAHRS), along with Chelton's latest technology Beta 3 GPS/WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) receiver. The system also features a synthetic vision primary flight display, dual integrated FMS, Class-B (or -A capable) helicopter TAWS (Terrain Awareness and Warning System), a master caution voice warning system, HITS (Highway-In-The-Sky navigation), a digital flight recorder, and Chelton's unique hover vector display. The system is NVG (Night Vision Goggle) friendly.

 "The Enstrom Model 480B helicopters incorporate new technology for high performance. Adding the Chelton EFIS will make them the most technically advanced helicopters in their class," said Jerry Mullins, President & CEO of Enstrom. "The Chelton EFIS integrates the most features and functionality of any EFIS into an incredibly small footprint.  Come see the system as displayed in our police demonstration aircraft in Heli-Expo booth 3216"

"We are extremely pleased to add Enstrom Helicopter Corporation as a valued customer for our synthetic vision technology," says Gordon Pratt, President of Chelton Flight Systems. "The enhanced situational awareness and versatility of flight information presentation that the Chelton EFIS provides brings and new level of safety and ease of operation into the helicopter cockpit."

The 480B includes a fully-configurable cabin that has been used as two place surveillance aircraft, a three-place advanced trainer and as a three- to five-place VIP aircraft.

FMI: www.enstromhelicopter.com, www.cheltonflightsystems.com