Chelton Flight Systems Receives First EASA Certification for Synthetic Vision Installation

(Boise, ID) Chelton Flight Systems, part of Cobham plc’s Avionics and Surveillance Division, is pleased to announce that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved Chelton’s Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) for use on Bell 206A, B, L-series, and 407 light single helicopters. EASA.IM. R.S.01165 is the first European certification for Synthetic Vision installation.

To achieve certification, Chelton worked closely with EASA and the United Kingdom Civilian Air Authority (UK CAA). Their combined professionalism, thoroughness, and commitment to flight safety has made it possible for hundreds of Bell 206/407 helicopters flying under EASA jurisdiction to take advantage of the numerous benefits Synthetic Vision has to offer.

Chelton’s EFIS uses 3D graphic technology to translate the terrain ahead of and around the helicopter into a simple, real-time visual picture. This helps the pilot “see” aircraft position in relation to its surroundings regardless of darkness or weather conditions. The display reduces instrument scanning and pilot fatigue by consolidating readings of several instruments into one efficient tool, resulting in safer execution of flight plans and procedures. Further enhancing situational awareness and flight safety, Chelton’s EFIS offers Highway-In-The-Sky (HITS), making it possible to fly with ILS precision to any point in the world, and Helicopter TAWS (HTAWS), which delivers visual and audio clues when terrain or obstacles present a hazard.

A certification condition is that Chelton’s newest software package, version 6.0B, be installed on the EFIS. 6.0B features DO-178B Level-A certification and significant benefits for end-users, including:

• Support for WSI Weather. Supported products include NEXRAD Weather Radar, Echo Tops, Graphical METARs, Textual METARs, Textual TAFs, Lightning, SIGMETs/AIRMETs, TFRs, and Winds/Temps aloft

• Expanded Hover Vector. Displayed with large radar altitude scale on MFD

The rotorcraft on which certification was achieved, Bell’s 206 and 407, are known worldwide for their integration of speed, performance, and maneuverability in corporate, utility, EMS, and law enforcement applications. With more than 7,000 of these two aircraft in service and over 400 on order, the 206/407 package of superior speed, payload, and range sets the standard among light single helicopters.

Of the certification, Scott Fitzgerald, Bell’s Vice President, Sales, EAME said: “We see this milestone for Chelton as a success for Bell Helicopter and for our customers. With our continued focus on modernization and safety this system will enhance our product offering and will provide another dimension to the demand for the 407 and the 206L4 in Europe.”

Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for worldclass customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

United Kingdom Civil Air Authority, a public corporation, was established by the British Parliament in 1972 as an independent specialist aviation regulator and provider of air traffic services. The CAA is the UK's independent specialist aviation regulator. Its activities include economic regulation, airspace policy, safety regulation and consumer protection.