Astronautics is partnering with Globavia LEAT and Erickson to help bring its new RoadRunner electronic flight instrument to the marketplace.
Astronautics (Booth 8162) detailed the partnerships as it unveiled plans at Heli-Expo Tuesday to develop RoadRunner to replace aging attitude direction indicators and horizontal situation indicator primary flight instruments in legacy helicopter cockpits with new digital displays that incorporate telicopter terrain awareness and warning systems and synthetic vision.
Under the agreement with LEAT, the two companies will collaborate for upgrades on AW109 and AB 412 helicopters. LEAT will develop the cable adapter kit, obtain the supplemental type certificate for RoadRunner on the AW109 and sell, install and maintain the RoadRunner units. LEAT has placed an initial order for 30 of the systems.
Erickson and Astronautics have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on certification for the display and upgrade kits. Erickson already has participated in a demonstration flight. The agreement would make Astronautics a preferred supplier to Erickson, providing hardware, software and technical data. The companies also will pursue retrofit applications for aircraft, targeting medium twin turbine helicopters in particular.
Astronautics is hoping to receive supplemental type certification either later this year or early next year for new RoadRunner. Astronautics president Chad Cundiff estimated the cost of the new units would be around $50,000, which includes HTAWS.