News
VIH Aerospace MCP01 Master Caution Panel gets FAA approval
March 2, 2015 By VIH Aerospace
March 2, 2015, Victoria, B.C. - VIH Aerospace has received a Federal Aviation Administration Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for an aftermarket replacement Master Caution Panel (Model #: MCP01) for the Bell 212 series helicopter (STC#: # SR03503NY).
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approvals are pending, with final approval anticipated for Q3 of 2015.
The complete redesign of the Bell 212 Master Caution Panel was undertaken to produce a new panel that would make the helicopter more reliable, maintainable and reduce direct operator costs. VIHA’s newly STC’d Bell 212 Master Caution Panel meets and exceeds these criteria by offering significant improvements that include ‘plug-in’ design that utilizes the existing helicopter wiring and connectors. As well the MCP01 is 50% lighter than the legacy panel, it draws 75% less current, it runs cooler and is engineered with a ‘state recorder’ to digitally monitor and record multiple annunciator status in real time (2000+ events) for output/use in Helicopter Flight Data Management (HFDM) systems.
Arne Arneson, General Manager with VIHA explains that the new Master Caution Panel installation provides measurable improvements to Bell 212 helicopter operators. ‘The MCP01 is a one-of-a-kind installation that positively affects reliability standards over the existing Bell 212 installation. The result of these improvements includes improved safety, reduced aircraft downtime, and helps mitigate the revenue losses caused by high rates of failure associated with the existing master caution panel. When projected over the operational lifetime of the helicopter, the end result is increased reliability and data recording accuracy, and therefore, improved earning potential for the aircraft.
VIHA collaborated with Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corporation (AEM) in bringing the MCP01 Master caution Panel to market. AEM is an industry-leading designer and suppliers of avionics, illuminated panel and integrated information display products for both NVG and non-NVG aircraft in the global avionics and transportation sectors. VIHA was chosen to partner with AEM in part due to its relationship with AEM, and for its expertise and history in supporting the global Bell 212 fleet.
