Avidyne and Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S) last week launched their new Helix integrated flight deck as an upgrade package for in-service helicopters. The system combines Avidyne’s Helios flight management system (FMS) and the IS&S 10.4-inch flat-panel displays.
The companies said they first plan to offer the Helix retrofit package for the Sikorsky S-76C++ rotorcraft. They expect to announce pricing later this year, once they complete integration work and certification.
Along with the new large-format flat-panel displays, the Helix package provides updated avionics capabilities including 3D synthetic vision, electronic charts, ADS-B weather and traffic, and satellite-based augmentation system/localizer performance with vertical guidance (SBAS/LPV). The new displays, which feature a 6- by 8-inch viewing area, have built-in symbol generators with high-resolution XGA multi-color and active-matrix LCDs. They provide an 80-degree viewing angle, NVIS-compliant display lighting, and a non-glare, anti-reflective display surface.
The Helix installations will include a pair of display units, one configured as a primary flight display and the other as a multifunction display and engine instrument display system. As an option, the installation can include another pair of displays for a co-pilot.
Avidyne’s dual Helios units are dzus-mounted GPS/SBAS flight management systems that meet TSO-C146c for full GPS SBAS/LPV approach guidance, including flight planning, "one-touch" departure, airway, and arrival navigation, and the company’s GeoFill waypoint nomination. The equipment features a full QWERTY-style keyboard and a touchscreen "hybrid touch" user interface for map panning and rubber-band flight plan editing. Other features include integrated wireless connectivity to iPads for access to third-party apps, such as ForeFlight and Avidyne’s IFD100, as well as 16-watt VHF radios, Jeppesen charts and airport diagrams, video, fuel flow, ADS-B In display, moving map, and synthetic vision.
“Avidyne and IS&S have put together a solution that is designed and targeted to extend the life of a large number of legacy helicopters still in operation, including the S-76C++, the Black Hawk, the AW109, and more,” said John Talmadge, Avidyne’s vice president of worldwide sales. “We are excited to be working alongside IS&S to develop Helix, which will give new life to these airframes at a cost that won’t break the bank, and that provides operators with a whole host of new capabilities while dramatically improving reliability and dispatchability.”
The Helix system is on display at the Heli-Expo show at the Avidyne exhibit (Booth C820).