Genesys Aerosystems and Enstrom Helicopter are developing a three-axis VFR autopilot for the Enstrom 480B, with certification and availability are expected by year-end. The Genesys autopilot has already been installed in a 480B for testing and to advance the certification program.
A lightweight, attitude-based autopilot, the Genesys system includes heading, navigation, approach, vertical speed, indicated airspeed, and altitude hold modes. The autopilot is also a stability augmentation system, capable of returning the helicopter to a neutral attitude when easing forces applied to the cyclic control or “simply letting go of the cyclic should the pilot become incapacitated, spatially disoriented, or lose visual references,” according to Genesys.
]The autopilot also provides overspeed and underspeed envelope protection and automatic recovery to near-level flight at all airspeeds. Yaw control is an option.
“I was able to test fly the prototype installation recently,” said Enstrom chief commercial officer Dennis Martin. “We were highly impressed. It flew the helicopter very well and has advanced functionality. The 480B is already very stable, but the stability augmentation system takes it to a whole new level. What really stood out was the safety advantages with features like auto-recovery and the ability to shoot fully coupled approaches.”
“This will provide significant improvements in aircraft safety, operational improvements, and mission effectiveness,” said Genesys director of sales and marketing Jamie Luster.