GPMS awarded Canadian STC approval for Foresight MX on H125
The health and usage monitoring system has been approved for installation and use on the Airbus H125, and follows the awarding of similar certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration
Avionics manufacturer GPMS has been awarded supplemental type certificate (STC) by Transport Canada Civil Aviation for the use of its Foresight MX health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) on Airbus H125 helicopters.
The approval was based on the awarding of equivalent STC approval by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) covering the installation of the system on the Airbus H125/AS350 B3 platform.
The system is designed to provide additional insight and analysis for aircraft maintenance, as well as offering reduced downtime and unscheduled maintenance costs.
East West Helicopter completed the initial installation of the system
The initial installation of the system on a H125 was completed by East West Helicopter, with support from its associated Canadian company, Panterra Heli Support. Now, enabled by FAA and TCCA STC’s, the company has partnered with NS AIR Leasing and will outfit a fleet of 10 H125 aircraft for operation in both Canada and the US.
“With this STC, H125 operators in Canada like East West Helicopter/Panterra Heli Support will be able to adopt Foresight MX on their fleet and begin to maximize aircraft readiness, lower maintenance costs, and enhance safety in their operations,” said GPMS President Jed Kalkstein.
GPMS has also already acquired STC approval for the installation of Foresight MX on a range of platforms, including the Bell 407 GX/GXP/GXi, Bell 429, Bell 412/212, and MD530. The company has also completed the system for the Mi- Series helicopters, and expects further STCs for the H135, the AS350 B2, Bell 206, analog Bell 407, and the Blackhawk in 2022.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.