Apollo MedFlight installs Outerlink IRIS system in Bell 429

Apollo MedFlight is enhancing its flight data monitoring (FDM) and communication capabilities by installing the Outerlink IRIS system on its Bell 429 helicopter, operating at Good Samaritan hospital in Kearney, Nebraska.

Mike Stacey, Director of Maintenance at Apollo, commented: “We have seen tremendous success with our communications, operational control, and FDM program since implementing the Outerlink IRIS system, which features a global push-to-talk VoIP radio and a fully integrated FDM tool suite. We took advantage of a scheduled maintenance interval to have Paradigm Aviation (PAC) install and integrate the system into this Bell 429.”

The IRIS system offers a unique recording platform that captures voice, video, and parametric aircraft data from initial power-on to power-off. Unlike traditional crash recorders, the IRIS system continuously captures all engine data from start to post-shutdown. Using the IRIS FASTARS cloud, customers can upload, process, and analyze hundreds of data parameters with ease, thanks to a simple SD card in the IRIS control head.

Currently installed on over 500 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, the IRIS system can help to reduce maintenance expenses and lower insurance premiums. With all hardware and software developed in-house, Outerlink delivers a fully integrated, user-friendly safety system.

Last year Textron Aviation selected Outerlink’s IRIS system to meet the US Navy’s Condition-Based Maintenance Plus (CBM+) requirement for its new fleet of B260 trainers.