Heli-One and Universal Avionics Announce STC Approval for Advanced Flight Display Upgrade

Heli-One, a provider of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, receives supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its Universal Avionics EFI-890H Advanced Flight Display upgrade from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA).

The STC is a part of the AS332L and L1 modernization program currently underway with the Bundespolizei German Police (BPOL) and contracted by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The program includes a new Universal Avionics flight management system (FMS) to integrate with the displays. The STC covers the flight information display upgrade, replacing analogue systems with two 8.9-inch digital "smart" displays, increasing operational capability, reducing issues with aging instruments and eliminating the costs of replacing or maintaining older analogue displays.

The EFI-890H advanced displays are capable of customization to show all primary flight information in a pilot-friendly, intuitive interface, enhancing safety, improving situational awareness and reducing pilot workload. The dual screen installation allows for special mission equipment integration, such as synthetic vision with 3D terrain awareness. Combined with the upgraded FMS, this cutting-edge and mission-specific navigation and control panel upgrade gives BPOL added long-term value to its AS332 fleet.

The modification consists of pilot and co-pilot EFI-890H primary flight displays (PFD) and course/heading control panels. The dual UNS-1Fw satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS)-FMS is also included, along with a multi-mission option for SAR variants. A single Universal Avionics radio control unit (RCU) provides control of both legacy and new radios.

“Our long-term relationship with Bundespolizei German Police was key in making this modification a success,” says Anthony DiNota, president, Heli-One. “We are privileged to work with such a key law enforcement operator who is unafraid of adapting to and maximizing the latest rotorcraft technology. This upgrade will greatly extend their operational capability and aircraft longevity – at a great value.”

“It has been a real pleasure to work together with Heli-One’s extremely competent and knowledgeable engineers to develop the integration and display software changes needed to support this program,” says Grady Dees, Universal Avionics' director of Technical Sales. “The Heli-One team is second-to-none in the rotorcraft modification business.”

Heli-One has over 100 major and minor modifications available for the AS332 series. The design teams’ mastery of the platform was key to the project’s brisk development time and detailed customization. Flight information system upgrades with Universal Avionics equipment have also been adapted for other platforms, including the Sikorsky S-61 and S-76.

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

Heli-One is a segment of CHC Helicopter, the operating company of CHC Group Ltd. (OTC Pink Sheets: HELIQ). For more information about Heli-One, visit: http://heli-one.ca.