Story ID: 
German Police Super Pumas Get Cockpit Upgrade
By: David Donald
Caption: Heli-One fitted the German police service's AS332L/L1 helicopters with a new flight management system and displays from Universal Avionics. 
Word Count: 359
Heli-One is in the process of modernizing the systems of the Airbus Helicopters AS332L/L1 operated by the German police service (Bundespolizei), following a similar program undertaken for Super Pumas registered in the U.S. As part of the program, Heli-One is installing twin flight management systems (FMS) and advanced displays from Universal Avionics. The upgrade, which is being conducted by Heli-One at Stavanger in Norway, has been granted a supplemental type certificate (STC) by both EASA and Transport Canada.

Universal Avionics’ FMS uses satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) technology and Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV). To support police surveillance activities, the FMS includes an MMMS (multi-mission management system) that allows up to six pre-defined search patterns to be programmed. The FMS is coupled to the autopilot and supports all phases of flight, including a 3D coupled “pseudo ILS” approach capability, non-precision and SBAS approaches. Moreover, it provides both ADS-B OUT and Enhanced mode-S capability to meet upcoming regulations. The GPS and LPV significantly enhance safety, while reducing crew workload.

New screens are an important element of the upgrade. Universal Avionics is providing two of its 8.9-inch EFI-890H units for the primary pilot/copilot flight displays, along with course/heading control panels. The screens provide additional functionality, such as synthetic vision and 3D terrain awareness. The company has been granted an STC for these units in the AS332L/L1. Besides the FMS and displays, Universal is supplying its solid state data transfer and radio control units, the latter providing control of both existing and new radios.

Universal Avionics’ EFI-890H and MMMS also feature in another upgrade program being conducted by Heli-One. The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s fleet of Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri helicopters has been considered for retirement for many years, but the service has decided to extend their useful lives through an upgrade. In the S-61 installation, four EFI-890H screens are used, along with the Universal’s UNS-1Lw MMMS. Among the capabilities of the displays is the ability to show data from the RDR-1600 search radar that is also part of the upgrade.