Panel Will Be Integrated Into Air Ambulance Company's New Bell 429, BK117

Mercy Flight Inc. of Buffalo, NY, will have Becker Avionics' DVCS6100 Digital Audio System integrated into their newly purchased Bell 429 light-twin helicopter, as well as one of their existing BK117 EMS helicopters.

The new aircraft will be delivered by Bell Helicopter Tennessee (formally Edwards and Associates) to Edwards and Associates during the first quarter of 2011. The BK117 will soon undergo avionics modification at Helicopter Specialties, Inc. in Janesville, WI, and will be specifically tailored to the needs of Mercy Flight. The DVCS6100 was chosen in part for its ability to effectively manage and control all audio sources in the helicopter.

Becker's Digital multi-channel audio and intercom system, with its software configurable profiles, provides the flexibility to specifically customize the system to meet the demanding operational requirements of Mercy Flight. The DVCS6100 manages all transceivers, receivers and audio warning sources in one central system and provides simulcast capabilities on 8 channels.

"(The) DVCS6100 is well suited to support our air medical service operations. The excellent Man-Machine-Interface, outstanding field reliability, the possibility to transmit on up to 8 channels simultaneously, and its crystal-clear audio quality made the DVCS6100 our audio system of choice on our BK117 and new Bell 429," said Marc Boies, Director of Operations for Mercy Flight. "Ultimately, we'd like to standardize the remainder of our existing BK117 fleet with the Becker digital audio product."

FMI: www.beckerusa.com