Avionics upgrade for Bell 212s
Alpine Aerotech has officially received a Federal Aviation Administration Supplemental Type Certificate for a comprehensive avionic suite upgrade for Bell 212’s engaged in Day/Night VFR operations
The upgrade utilizes Pilot/Co-Pilot Garmin G500TXi Primary Flight Display’s (PFD) and a single GTN 750Xi GPS/NAV/COMM. “The first installation of this system was performed about a year ago,” explained Jeff Denomme, President at Alpine Aerotech. “We have been in close contact with the operator and all reviews have been overwhelmingly positive – with commitment to modify the remainder of their fleet in the near future.”
Touchscreens replace analog instruments
The kit removes several expensive to maintain analog flight instruments (HSI, ADI, VSI, Altimeter, and Tarsyn Gyros) by consolidating inputs into a highly accurate and reliable Altitude/Heading Reference System (ADAHRS) which is displayed on the large 10.6” touchscreens. The GTN 750Xi provides centralized access to navigation, radio tuning, weather, terrain, traffic and much more. This information can be synchronized across both G500TXi displays with optional Traffic Advisory System (TAS), Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) integration. To maintain Night VFR certification Aerotech equipped the kit with a Mid-Continent SAM for increased redundancy and safety.
The ever-increasing cost of acquiring new aircraft gives impetus to air medical and search and rescue (SAR) helicopter operators around the world to modernize their platforms in order to extend their reach and capabilities to perform more difficult missions, and therefore the useful life of aircraft.