GPMS has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its Foresight MX health monitoring system on the Bell 212/412. This STC was done in partnership with Alaska-based Pathfinder Aviation, the launch customer on the platform, and the installation was done at Oregon-based Precision Support Services, an FAA Part 145 repair facility. The Foresight kit has an STC weight of 7.41 pounds and cable weight of 7 pounds, and the system is sold on a HUMS-as-a-service model.
“This STC furthers our mission to provide a cost-effective, integrated flight and health monitoring solution for light and medium aircraft,” said GPMS CEO and chief engineer Dr. Eric Bechhoefer. Foresight MX provides predictive engine and drivetrain monitoring with remaining useful life estimates on all monitored components with features including rotor track and balance and flight data monitoring with exceedance alerting. GPMS says the system helps maximize readiness, lower maintenance costs, and enhance safety.
“We are seeing more and more of our end customers demanding safety-enhancing technology and selecting operators who invest to keep their aircraft current,” said Pathfinder CEO Rogan Parker. “Foresight MX will give us a leg up in a competitive market and—given its predictive capability—we believe it will also help us speed and streamline our maintenance process.”