News
Phoenix Heli-Flight expands its NORTH FDM technology

NORTH FDS has applied to Transport
Canada
for validation of their AS350/EC130B4 FAA STC, which will cover AS350B3 and EC130B4
installations.
The first Canadian installations will be performed on
the EC130
and AS350B3
owned
and
operated by Phoenix Heli-Flight in Ft McMurray.

The flight data system is comprised of
a
Voice and Video Recorder (CV2R),
Multi-function Data
Acquisition Unit (MFDAU) and Quick Access Recorder (QAR).
The North system is the first
affordable Lightweight Aircraft Recorder System (LARS) that is fully integrated in
to the Airbus
helicopters.
The system far exceeds the recent ED155 data capture guidelines and enables the
operator to record
almost 100
engine and airframe parameter,
as well as six individual
audio channels
with the video recording. The
system has been
STC’d on seven different
helicopter models and has been installed in over 175 aircraft.
The
recorded airframe and engine
data is supplemented by an internal Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) data stream
and can capture
hook load or other accessory equipment data.

The agreement includes the upgrade to the new
integrated Outer
link
IP
satcom system
powered by
ViaSat
Inc.,
as
announced at the recent Air Medical Transport Conference.
The new
IRIS system
will incorporate the first commercial
rotorcraft use of
real
–
time
situational
awareness technology
. This will allow customers to receive
10
–
second
position
reports, which
include
immediate alerts and warnings about vehicle condition
and operation
. The new IP
network allows for an
uninterrupted
connection and gives customers constant access to their
aircraft
including
multicast packet voice
–
based
Push To Talk (PTT)
.
Contacting your helicopter
will be as easy as dialing an extension on your office phone!

Paul Spring, President of Phoenix Heli-Flight commented,
“
Since Phoenix first installed HFDM &
CVVR equipment in our fleet
in 2008,
I have been looking for the next
meaningful
advancement
in light and affordable recorders that would provide airframe and engine parametric data to
complete the knowledge we gain from basic geospatial data.
I know the maintenance and
safety benefits first hand and I won’t operate a helicopter without data recorders. I am
extremely grateful that North Flight Data
Systems
is willing to
acquire a Canadian STC to allow
us to install this vital equipment in our
EC130
as well as our AS350B3.
”

“
This
expansion into Paul’s single engine fleet
represents the first of many FAA STCs
we will
have validated in Canada,” said NORTH FDS President
Jeff Warner.
“
Once again, Paul
is
setting
the standard with fully integrated recorders, and it
is just another example of the forward
thinking he brings to the Canadian market.
By adding the new Outer
link
IRIS
broadband satcom
we will be able to provide t
he economical connectivity for voice and data
in one box
.
The virtual
live system monitoring coupled with a global PTT radio
finally gives operators the connectivity
they have been asking for.
We recognize that operators have an enormous investment in their
legacy fleets and our STCs allow them to equally equip their new and existing aircraft.
We
add a
comprehensive software suite
to
couple our hardware with
their
communications, tracking and
FOQA
needs.
”