Vector Aerospace Receives Federal Aviation Administration Approval for AS355 Glass Cockpit Installations

Langley, BC – Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services-North America (Vector - www.vectoraerospace.com), a subsidiary of Vector Aerospace Corporation and one of the world’s leading independent providers of helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services has recently been granted a Federal Aviation Administration amendment to its existing Supplemental Type Certificate (STC); #SR02341AK, to provide an Integrated Cockpit Display System (ICDS, or “glass cockpit installation”) and Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) for the Eurocopter AS355F1 and AS355F2 series helicopters.

Phil Kemp, vice-president of structures and avionics sales for Vector Aerospace notes the new AS355 F1/F2 ICDS solution includes a variety of practical multi-function improvements; listing a compressed/composite mode function moving map display (providing engine function and moving map on the same display screen), integration of the SFIM F-201 AHRS, and an AP-85 autopilot interface. Kemp explains the operator-focused system provides the customer a safer, more reliable and cost effective alternative to old style display gauges and gyros by replacing all legacy engine instruments, sensors and gyros with digital, solid state equipment. The new, light-weight cockpit installation offers enhanced flight safety benefits through integration of the latest situational awareness tools, and the ability to adapt or upgrade the system to accommodate a variety of mission requirements.

In developing this glass cockpit solution, Vector partnered with Sagem Avionics, Inc. (Safran Group), one of the helicopter industry’s leading manufacturer of glass cockpit systems. In recent years, Vector has successfully developed and integrated various glass cockpit solutions for aircraft including the Bell 205 / 206 / 407 series, the Eurocopter AS350 and Heli-Lynx 355FX, the Eagle Single and Sikorsky S61 and S76 helicopters. In addition to these Vector-SAGEM ICDS avionics suites, Vector also offers Rockwell-Collins and Garmin glass cockpit solutions for a number of helicopter applications.

Visit us at Heli-Expo (booth #2137) to meet with Vector’s Sales and Marketing and Customer Support team.