Outerlink and partners are working toward FAA STC approval for installation of its low-cost wi-fi system in the Bell 407 helicopter.
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Outerlink is collaborating to gain FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its Air IP connectivity system for the Bell 407 helicopter. Sterling Helicopter—which is providing the engineering for and will hold the STC—plans to seek installation approvals by year-end from international regulators, including EASA, Brazil’s ANAC, and Transport Canada, for use in more Part 27 and Part 29 helicopter models. The Marion County (Florida) Sheriff’s office (MSCO) is providing its Bell 407 for all related testing and initial installation to be performed by MRO AeroBrigham.
“We are fully aware of satellite [connectivity] limitations for helicopters, so we decided to build a system that could keep the customers connected and provide them with a triple redundant bonded [ground-based] network that would minimize any loss of service or interruption during flight,” said Jeff Warner, Outerlink v-p.
Air IP can stream HD video to and from helicopters across multiple devices simultaneously at customer-tested rates of between 7 to 20 Mbps of bandwidth for the entire flight duration and allowed a customer to conduct an uninterrupted Zoom meeting during the flight, according to the company.
“We had heard good things about the Air IP system but wanted to see it for ourselves and ensure it delivered bandwidth in both directions,” said MCSO aviation unit commander Darren Bruner. “It gave us solid performance in transmitting and receiving, so we agreed to let Outerlink use our newest 407 for the STC development.”
The system has already been STC'd for the Leonardo AW139 intermediate-twin helicopter.
Outerlink To Offer Air IP Connectivity for Bell 407
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Outerlink is collaborating to gain FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its Air IP connectivity system for the Bell 407 helicopter. Sterling Helicopter—which is providing the engineering for and will hold the STC—plans to seek installation approvals by year-end from international regulators, including EASA, Brazil’s ANAC, and Transport Canada, for use in more Part 27 and Part 29 helicopter models. The Marion County (Florida) Sheriff’s office (MSCO) is providing its Bell 407 for all related testing and initial installation to be performed by MRO AeroBrigham.
“We are fully aware of satellite [connectivity] limitations for helicopters, so we decided to build a system that could keep the customers connected and provide them with a triple redundant bonded [ground-based] network that would minimize any loss of service or interruption during flight,” said Jeff Warner, Outerlink v-p.
Air IP can stream HD video to and from helicopters across multiple devices simultaneously at customer-tested rates of between 7 to 20 Mbps of bandwidth for the entire flight duration and allowed a customer to conduct an uninterrupted Zoom meeting during the flight, according to the company.
The system has already been STC'd for the Leonardo AW139 intermediate-twin helicopter.