GPMS announced it has received an FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for its Foresight MX health monitoring system on the AS350 "AStar" helicopter platform. The initial certification is on the H125 (AS350-B3). The company plans to file a Transport Canada CA and pursue EASA Approvals and STC Amendments to include B2 Variants.
“The industry is talking about the role connected fleets and predictive analytics can play in asset optimization and the ROI for Foresight is fairly immediate. We’re proud to share this achievement given the validation a STC represents,” said GPMS CEO Eric Bechhoefer.
Foresight is a next generation helicopter health monitoring system. Providing predictive engine and component monitoring, rotor track and balance, and flight data monitoring with exceedance alerting, the system helps maximize readiness, lower maintenance costs, and enhance safety. Cloud-based, Foresight moves data automatically via WiFi or cellular and can be accessed via any browser equipped device.
Foresight breaks from legacy solutions by fitting the weight and budget constraints of light helicopter operators. Foresight on the AStar weighs less than 6 pounds and the system is sold on a HUMS-as-a-Service model to lower upfront cost and ensure affordability
Patric Wells, president of East West Helicopter, who completed the initial installation with the GPMS team stated, “This is a truly exciting system, offering operators and maintenance facilities the ability to remotely monitor their aircraft, engines and systems. It has taken a long time for anyone to develop a reliable lightweight HUMS which can be financially justified for the entire helicopter industry, including light and intermediate turbines.”
