StableLight Adds Easy, Modern Option for Legacy Airbus Aircraft

Thales and StandardAero have announced their receipt of an STC for the StableLight autopilot when installed on Airbus H125 helicopters.

"This system significantly reduces pilot workload, improves mission capability and can help reduce risk in critical flight phases," said both parties in a joint announcement. The StableLight system stems from Thales' Compact Autopilot System, itself originating from an autopilot suite used in certified transport category aircraft. The resulting package is a lightweight, easy install to bring older H125s up to speed.

The system, in true modern A/P fashion, doesn't just stop at providing 4 axes of flight control. StableLight includes "transparent stability augmentation that works precisely and without feedback to the control sticks", with niceties like stabilized climb flight attitude recovery, auto hover, and a "wide range of other sophisticated features".

“Tailoring the most advanced technologies to offer safety and trust to our clients is at the very heart of Thales’ DNA. Combining Thales’ advanced capabilities with StandardAero’s extensive knowledge allows us to draw upon a wealth of industry experience and deliver the autopilot solution that pilots have long aspired to,” said Tristan Grivel, vice president of Business Development and Sales, for Thales’s flight avionics business.

“We are excited to bring this state-of-the-art autopilot to market in partnership with Thales. The features offered by StableLight will be a major game changer for pilots and operators alike – it provides unparalleled performance, taking the already capable AS350 and H125 aircraft to the next level. Today’s announcement of the certification of StableLight paves the way for a safety revolution for light helicopters."

FMI: www.thalesgroup.com