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Honeywell Primus cockpit upgrade for AW139 platform

Honeywell is providing Leonardo’s helicopter division with a Primus Epic 2.0 Phase 8 cockpit upgrade for its AW139 helicopters. In addition to better maps, improved situational awareness at night and in marginal weather, and better wireless connectivity, Primus Epic 2.0 Phase 8, according to Honeywell, provides industry-first functionality in terms of being track-based, meaning navigation follows the actual path of the helicopter and accounts for wind and other environmental factors.

“With Honeywell’s Primus Epic 2.0 upgrade, we continue to stay ahead of the industry by enabling pilots to fly a variety of challenging approaches,” said Paul De Jonge, vice president of marketing, Leonardo Helicopter Division.

The Phase 8 upgrade includes new features like the SmartView synthetic vision system, which Honeywell notes as being usable down into the hover, helping pilots navigate during low-visibility conditions and challenging missions. Honeywell explains these missions can include steep 9-degree descents into landing areas in challenging terrain and oil-rig approaches.

The Phase 8 upgrade includes what Honeywell describes as a more user-friendly, iNAV map visual interface with an improved Cursor Control Device for map manipulation and menu navigation. Honeywell explains the upgrade also increases connectivity capabilities, with Wireless Data Loading that lets pilots access data remotely without a hardwire connection, transferring flight plans wirelessly and accelerating preflight actions.

“With the Epic 2.0 Phase 8 upgrade, AW139 pilots will not only reduce the time and cost of some operations, especially those in weather and around challenging terrain, they will also experience some of the best safety features available anywhere in the helicopter market,” said Mike Ingram, vice president and general manager, Cockpit Systems, Honeywell Aerospace.