News & Insights

Upgrade Addresses Obsolescence Issues, Expands Operational Capability, Enhances Safety, and Delivers Long-Lasting Value

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Universal Avionics (UA) announces the completion of Authorized Dealer, Heli-One’s Sikorsky S-76 VVIP helicopter flight deck upgrade. The avionics upgrade replaces legacy Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS) with three UA EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays. The system also includes a new UA UNS-1Lw Flight Management System (FMS) with Vision-1™ Synthetic Vision System.

The UA modern glass cockpit upgrade features the latest in avionics technologies – technologies which are often only available on new aircraft. The modification is available for operators who desire the modern S-76D-like avionics look and feel in other S-76 variants, including the S-76A, B, C, C+ or C++ models. Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) are imminent.

“Legacy helicopters have needed these upgrades for some time, but the options for doing so have been limited until now,” said Grady Dees, Universal Avionics Director of Technical Sales. “Obsolescence and difficulty in supporting electromechanical displays, as well as some mandates, are driving the upgrade market, as are the costs of upgrading a helicopter vs purchasing a new one,” he added. “There is still a lot of life left in these machines, and Heli-One’s experienced and capable team of avionics designers recognize the capabilities to support them. Paired with our products that are designed to seamlessly retrofit onto legacy aircraft, Heli-One and Universal Avionics can offer cost-effective, reliable upgrade solutions.”

“We are honored to complete this aircraft upgrade for our VVIP customer,” said Eddie Lane, President, Heli-One. “Our entire team is privileged to work on this aircraft and we are certain the customer and flight crew will enjoy the modernized flight display and management system,” he added. “The upgrade features the latest in aviation technology to facilitate a truly first-class flight experience.”

UA's well-proven, reliable EFI-890H solution is a customized, cost-effective technology upgrade for the S-76B. The upgrade provides the ability to see the projected flight path when coupled with the display of aircraft traffic, a powerful safety improvement. This allows the operator to see where the other traffic is in relation to the track they intend to take, and to judge diverging or converging tracks well in advance. Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) terrain also displays, providing terrain mapping when operating low level in an airport or off-airport environment. When operating in marginal Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), this is a tremendous enhancement in safety.

To learn more, visit UA booth G51 during the Helitech International Helicopter Expo and Conference at the Amsterdam RAI. Heli-One will also be showing video footage of the completed flight deck at their booth K50 while exhibit halls are open.

About Universal Avionics

Universal Avionics, an Elbit Systems Company, is a leading manufacturer of innovative commercial avionics systems offered as retrofit and forward-fit solutions for the largest diversification of aircraft types in the industry. To learn more about Universal Avionics, visit www.uasc.com/company/about.

Contact

Stacy Honda, Marketing Manager │ +1 520 295 2300 · +1 800 321 5253 │ shonda@uasc.com

About Heli-One

Heli-One is based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, and has MRO operations in Richmond, Canada; Delta, Canada; Stavanger, Norway; and Rzeszow, Poland. Heli-One is the world’s largest independent helicopter MRO and hold certifications and expertise on a broad range of airframes and components from major helicopter and engine manufacturers, including Airbus, Sikorsky, Leonardo, Bell, Safran Helicopter Engines, Pratt & Whitney Canada and General Electric.

Heli-One is a segment of CHC Helicopter, the operating company of CHC Group Ltd.

More about Heli-One: http://heli-one.com

Heli-One Contact Information

MEDIA
Brian Bianco
Senior Manager, Global Communications
+1 214.262.7417
Brian.Bianco@CHCheli.com