Genesys Aerosystems received FAA STC approval for retrofitting its HeliSAS stability augmentation system and two-axis autopilot on Robinson R66s. It has been an option on factory-new R66s since last year and was previously STC’d for the Airbus Helicopters EC130 and AS350 series; Bell 206B JetRanger, 206L LongRanger and 407; and Robinson R44. EASA STC approval for the R66 is pending, Genesys said.
Weighing less than 15 pounds, HeliSAS reduces single-pilot workload while providing precise “hands off” control of the aircraft during all modes of flight, regardless of wind conditions or shifts in the aircraft’s weight, according to the company. Its attitude stabilization and force feel features also enhance the helicopter’s handling characteristics to mitigate inadvertent cyclic control inputs that could result in dangerous attitudes or loss of control, it added.
With the addition of the optional two-axis autopilot, HeliSAS can provide altitude hold, NAV hold, heading hold and vertical modes, which can track an ILS approach. HeliSAS with the two-axis autopilot costs $71,509, not including installation or attitude source. Without the autopilot, the price is $62,530.
The company plans to add at least three more helicopter models to its HeliSAS FAA STC list this year.