Heli Austria has continued to implement the latest technology on its helicopter fleet, and now has EASA STC clearance to install an onboard weighing system developed by the USA's Onboard Systems International. This follows the operator's early adoption of Safran engine video assistance earlier this year.

The weighing system for the SA332 Super Puma aircraft has been STC certified by the FAA and EASA, and Onboard Systems has also submitted it to Transport Canada for approval.

Heli Austria was the launch customer for the project, purchasing six units for its fleet. According to president Roy Knaus: "We were pleased to work with Onboard Systems to expedite the development of this weighing system for the Super Puma, as we wanted to have a common system on all of our aircraft. We have experienced reduced lead times and cost with its equipment over the years, and look forward to the recording capabilities in the new C-40 cockpit indicator."

The weighing systems are a complement to a helicopter's external lifting system. They display the weight of the load being carried on the primary belly hook and consist of three components: the cockpit-mounted indicator, the internal harness and the load cell. A quick glance at the indicator instantly provides pilots with the exact weight of the cargo being lifted, reducing the risk of overload airframe stress and allowing them to make more informed aircraft loading decisions.

Onboard System's newly certified E-54 system is approved for use on the AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L and AS332L1 models.