Precise RA-4000 & RA-4500 Systems Proven In Helicopter Fleets Worldwide

FreeFlight Systems said Thursday today that Part 135 commercial and Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operators can meet new FAA requirements for radar altimeters quickly and affordably with its proven, high-performance radar altimeter systems.

The FreeFlight Systems RA-4000 and RA-4500 systems enable Part 135 and HEMS operators to comply with the Feb. 21, 2014 FAA Final Rule (RIN 2120-AJ53) requiring installation of radar altimeters.  The TSO-approved systems are widely deployed in helicopter fleets, including some of the largest HEMS operations worldwide. They are part of a broader range of rotorcraft avionics systems from FreeFlight Systems for ADS-B, GPS WAAS and other applications.

The RA-4000 and RA-4500 radar altimeter systems are known for their accuracy and reliability, their ease of installation and low cost. With precision from 2,500 feet to ground level, the systems are designed for operation over water or rough terrain, at nighttime, in close ground proximity and in other environments lacking visual cues to the ground, landscape or flight path.  Both are easily integrated with electronic flight information systems (EFIS), flight director systems and integrated flight decks via available RS232 or ARINC 429 connections. Each system includes the night-vision-compatible RAD-40 panel-mounted display for altitude pre-select and altimeter readout. The optional FTG-410 Tone Generator audio alert calls flight crew attention to critical altitudes and other aircraft conditions.

The systems are certified for retrofit in a variety of Bell, Eurocopter, AgustaWestland and Robinson and fixed-wing aircraft. Each system is certified to TSO-C87 and ETSO-2C87 and meets or exceeds DO-160F and DO-178B Level C standards.

“The new regulations contained in the FAA Final Rule are based on extensive industry input and recognize the challenging conditions in which commercial and HEMS operators routinely fly,” said Tim Taylor, President and CEO of FreeFlight Systems. “As our many rotorcraft customers can attest, their pilots value radar altimeters as vital tools for safety and situational awareness. We have unique expertise and a deep understanding of helicopter requirements for radar altimeters and other rotorcraft systems developed over years of producing lightweight, precise, easily installed and extraordinary cost-effective avionics solutions.”

FMI: www.freeflightsystems.com