Moog GRC 4000 four-axis autopilot receives FAA approval
The GRC 4000 offers hover hold and collective control, on top of traditional three-axis autopilot functions
Moog has received US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technical standard order authorization (TSOA) for its Genesys GRC 4000 four-axis helicopter autopilot system.
The approval allows Moog to introduce hover hold and collective control functions – the so-called ‘fourth axis’ – to aircraft equipped with Genesys autopilot systems.
This new functionality is on top of the autopilot’s existing three-axis capabilities of yaw, pitch, and roll, and will allow for a greater level of automation and reduced pilot workload.
Moog has stated that it is “actively integrating the new capability” into a number of aircraft types, including UH-60A/L Black Hawk variants, EC145s, and Enstrom 480Bs.
The company also said it was planning to roll the GRC 4000 out across other platforms in future.
“This certification marks a significant step forward for rotorcraft operators,” said Nick Bogner, Director of Business Development at Moog Avionics. “The GRC 4000 takes on high-complexity control tasks to reduce pilot workload, enabling pilots to focus on mission-critical objectives – improving safety and ensuring success.”
Precision Aviation Group has been named as an authorized installer of the StableLight autopilot system co-developed by Thales and StandardAero.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. 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.