February 28, 2018 - Heli-One, a leading provider of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, has successfully ground tested the electronic flight information system (EFIS) upgrade on the Sikorsky S-76B™ platform. This upgrade replaces the EFIS or the electromechanical instruments with three digital Universal Avionics EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays, increasing operational capability, improving situational awareness and eliminating the cost of maintaining older analogue displays. This round of testing also included a new flight management system (FMS: Universal Avionics UNS-1Fw), Vision-1® Synthetic Vision System and external camera inputs.
The aircraft is destined for a VVIP customer in Asia. Upon completion of the work, the aircraft will feature a new livery complete with touch screen passenger controls for the Custom Control Concepts entertainment system, multi-spectral LED lighting, cabin communication system and a luxurious interior. The flight display modernization follows in the footsteps of successful integrations on the Airbus AS332 and Sikorsky S-61™ platforms – other installations done in collaboration between Heli-One and Universal Avionics.
The EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays show all primary flight information in a pilot-friendly, intuitive interface, enhancing safety, improving situational awareness and reducing pilot workload. The triple-screen installation includes integration with radar, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System, traffic system, external cameras and synthetic vision. Combined with the new FMS, this cutting-edge navigation and control panel upgrade gives the customer added long-term value to their aircraft.
"The team is excited to reach this stage of testing on this project,” said Eddie Lane, President, Heli-One. “It has been a rewarding challenge for them to adapt this modernization to this platform. The display upgrade will improve efficiency for the pilot and crew while also increasing situational awareness and safety. After successfully working on two other platforms, our team - in collaboration with Universal Avionics - are becoming leaders in this type of retrofit program."
Flight testing and supplemental type certificate (STC) approval is expected to commence in Spring 2018. The STC will be approved for all legacy S-76A™, B™ and C™ models.
Heli-One has developed more than 450 modifications and unique repairs for the S-76 aircraft, enabling their team to prepare an aircraft for whatever the required mission or purpose. The Design & Engineering team continues to develop modifications to expand the operational capability of the aircraft and deliver long-term value to operators. Heli-One's S-76 aircraft capabilities extend from nose-to-tail with full maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities, including power by the hour (PBH) programs.
S-76® is a registration trademark of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Used with permission. S-76A™, S-76B™, S-76C™ and S-61™ are trademarks of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Used with permission.
About Heli-One
Heli-One is based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, and has MRO operations in Richmond, Canada; Delta, Canada; Stavanger, Norway; and Rzeszow, Poland. Heli-One is the world’s largest independent helicopter MRO and hold certifications and expertise on a broad range of airframes and components from major helicopter and engine manufacturers, including Airbus, Sikorsky, Leonardo, Bell, Safran, Pratt & Whitney and General Electric.
Heli-One is a segment of CHC Helicopter, the operating company of CHC Group LLC.
More about Heli-One: http://heli-one.com
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and other statements that we may make contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and include statements about our future financial condition and future business plans and expectations. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management, but are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results and/or the timing of events to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.
Heli-One Contact Information
MEDIA
Cameron Meyer
Communications Specialist
+ 1.214.262.7391
Cameron.Meyer@chcheli.com