The Thales StableLight four-axis autopilot has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for installation in Airbus Helicopters AS350/H125s. StandardAero partnered with Thales to develop the StableLight STC.
EASA and Transport Canada approvals should follow soon, according to Thales. MacNeil Aviation, the private flight operation for WeatherTech and Pet Comfort founder and CEO David MacNeil, is the launch customer for the first H125 StableLight system.
The StableLight autopilot is based on Thales’ Compact Autopilot System and leverages the European avionics manufacturer’s experience with its transport-category autopilot systems. To keep the system light and small, Thales uses its Smart+ in-line actuators that host autopilot and flight director software. The actuators don’t move the cyclic while providing continuous stability augmentation.
Autopilot modes include attitude retention and stability augmentation, as well as altitude and heading hold and “advanced software out loops” such as hover and departure modes and stabilized climb flight attitude recovery.
“Tailoring the most advanced technologies to offer safety and trust to our clients is at the very heart of Thales’ DNA,” said Tristan Grivel, v-p business development and sales for Thales’ flight avionics business. “Combining Thales’ advanced capabilities with StandardAero's extensive knowledge allows us to draw upon a wealth of industry experience and deliver the autopilot solution that pilots have long aspired to.”