Universal Avionics (Booth 3408) has unveiled a new software-based i-FMS navigation system this week at Heli-Expo 2020. This marks the latest development to its Fly by Sight integrated head-up/head-down flight deck concept for the helicopter market.
The company introduced the Fly by Sight concept at last year's Heli-Expo, combining the InSight flight deck display suite with its ClearVision enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) that can be viewed through either a SkyLens head-wearable display or SkyVis helmet-mounted display.
According to Universal, the integrated system improves safety in low-visibility environments and allows more intuitive head-up operation during critical flight phases. With the addition of iFMS, operators can also view critical flight management information through either wearable display.
Fly by Sight is building on the company’s enhanced vision capabilities, said Tal Golan, business development manager for Universal Avionic. Ultimately, a pilot will be able to manipulate features visually.
With the system, a pilot can look at a location, pinpoint it visually, and then click a button. It will then mark the location and put it in the flight management system. After the location is set, Golan said the pilot “can select the navigation actions again, all by looking outside. The pilot doesn't have to tap away via FMS.”
"We are continuing to develop and enhance our capabilities, bringing a fully functional demonstration to the show this year, featuring even more mission and life-saving operation capabilities critical to EMS, law enforcement, and SAR operators," said company CEO Dror Yahav. "i-FMS offers the latest in design flexibility with a feature set that provides helicopter operators with advanced mission capabilities that are simplified, automated and more intuitive, and enhancing mission launch completion rates, while maintaining the highest level of safety."
Heli-Expo attendees can participate in a demonstration of the Fly by Sight helicopter system at Universal's booth. The integrated system also includes high-resolution LCD screens, 3D synthetic vision system, and 2D topographical moving map functionality.