Press Release

Issued by Heli-One.

February 28, 2018

Heli-One, a leading provider of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, has successfully ground tested the electronic flight information system (EFIS) upgrade on the Sikorsky S-76B platform. This upgrade replaces the EFIS or the electromechanical instruments with three digital Universal Avionics EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays, increasing operational capability, improving situational awareness and eliminating the cost of maintaining older analogue displays. This round of testing also included a new flight management system (FMS: Universal Avionics UNS-1Fw), Vision-1 Synthetic Vision System and external camera inputs.

The aircraft is destined for a VVIP customer in Asia. Upon completion of the work, the aircraft will feature a new livery complete with touch screen passenger controls for the Custom Control Concepts entertainment system, multi-spectral LED lighting, cabin communication system and a luxurious interior. The flight display modernization follows in the footsteps of successful integrations on the Airbus AS332 and Sikorsky S-61 platforms, other installations done in collaboration between Heli-One and Universal Avionics.

The EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays show all primary flight information in a pilot-friendly, intuitive interface, enhancing safety, improving situational awareness and reducing pilot workload. The triple- screen installation includes integration with radar, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System, traffic system, external cameras and synthetic vision. Combined with the new FMS, this cutting-edge navigation and control panel upgrade gives the customer added long-term value to their aircraft.

"The team is excited to reach this stage of testing on this project,” said Eddie Lane, president, Heli- One. “It has been a rewarding challenge for them to adapt this modernization to this platform. The display upgrade will improve efficiency for the pilot and crew while also increasing situational awareness and safety. After successfully working on two other platforms, our team, in collaboration with Universal Avionics, are becoming leaders in this type of retrofit program."

Flight testing and supplemental type certificate (STC) approval is expected to commence in Spring 2018. The STC will be approved for all legacy S-76A, B and C models.

Heli-One has developed more than 450 modifications and unique repairs for the S-76 aircraft, enabling their team to prepare an aircraft for whatever the required mission or purpose. The design and engineering team continues to develop modifications to expand the operational capability of the aircraft and deliver long-term value to operators. Heli-One's S-76 aircraft capabilities extend from nose-to-tail with full maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities, including power by the hour (PBH) programs.