News Products Avionics
FDS STC for cockpit voice and flight data recorder

Flight Data Systems earned a Supplemental Type Certificate, gained through SKYTRAC, for its SENTRY Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder on a H145 twin-engine medium utility-transport helicopter.

The STC will enable the installation of multiple variants of the TSO-certified SENTRY Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder platform, described by Flight Data Systems (FDS) as the lightest and smallest ED-112 compliant recorder in its class.

The STC, performed on a H145 helicopter operated by STAT MedEvac, also includes the FDS Cockpit Control Unit and Cockpit Area Microphone, providing a seamless installation process for operators seeking to upgrade their onboard safety systems.

The installation also includes the FDS Modular Acquisition Unit (MAU) for sensor data acquisition and parameter expansion, and Quick Access Recorder (QAR) for  downloading of flight recorder data, ensuring maintenance crews can easily access data and configure the system for operator-specific profiles.

The SENTRY Cockpit Voice & Flight Data Recorder (CVFDR) was designed by combining standard features of existing CVFDRs with a new approach to design.  FDS explains SENTRY offers a small size, low weight, and less power consumption than traditional CVFDRs in a modular and flexible architecture. This “software free” recorder allows for aircraft specific configurations as well as the addition of creative and useful expansion capabilities such as Recorder Independent Power Supply (RIPS) modules and multiple Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB) mount locations.

Available in titanium, FDS explains the SENTRY meets or exceeds all requirements of ED-112A and qualifies for DO-160G environmental and power requirements. The rugged enclosure is ideal for airborne operational environments including unmanned, commercial, military, fixed-wing, and rotary-wing aircraft.

“SKYTRAC’s ability to generate STCs for customers and sister companies is an advantage for the ACR Group as well as our customers,” notes Jan van der Heul, Vice President of Sales, SKYTRAC. “With our extensive experience in gaining STCs for our diverse product range, we were able to add the SENTRY and its accessories quickly and efficiently to a pre-existing Transport Canada STC familiarized with FAA, EASA, and ANAC. SKYTRAC is a one-stop-shop for operators looking for a wide scope of hardware and services which include satellite communication terminals, STC development, custom application development, system integrations, and more.”