Astronics has been granted supplemental type certificate (STC) approval from the FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada Civil Aviation for the installation of its Max-Viz 1200 and 1400 enhanced vision systems (EVS) aboard the Airbus Helicopters EC130B4 and EC130T2.
The electronics specialist worked with Avio Canada in Calgary, Canada, to secure the STCs. EuroTec Canada performed the initial installation of the Max-Viz 1400 using the STC and incorporating Garmin TXi displays.
The Max-Viz 1200 and 1400 are lightweight, solid-state, and low-power systems that improve visibility in poor weather conditions such as haze, dust, smoke, smog, and light fog. They further help pilots detect and avoid clouds in flight and identify the runway and view terrain clearly in times of reduced visibility.
Incorporating an uncooled thermal camera, the systems will display images on any flight deck that accepts NTSC or PAL/Analog RS-170 video signals, including multifunction displays and primary flight displays. In addition, images will display on standalone devices such as tablets, depending on aircraft configuration.
“The Astronics Max-Viz technology provides pilots with an unprecedented level of situational awareness and safety,” said Tom Geiger, Max-Viz business unit director for Astronics. “Our EVS is perfectly suited for these single-engine light utility helicopters.”