Canadian helicopter support provider Alpine Aerotech has received an FAA STC for a comprehensive avionic suite upgrade for Bell 212's engaged in day/night VFR operations. The upgrade utilises pilot/co-pilot Garmin G500TXi primary flight displays (PFD) and a single GTN 750Xi GPS/NAV/COMM.

The kit removes several expensive to maintain analogue flight instruments (HSI, ADI, VSI, altimeter, and Tarsyn gyros) by consolidating inputs into a highly accurate and reliable Altitude/Heading Reference System (ADAHRS) which is displayed on large 10.6” touchscreens. The conveniently located GTN 750Xi provides centralised access to navigation, radio tuning, weather, terrain and traffic. This information can be synchronised across both G500TXi displays with optional Traffic Advisory System (TAS), Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) integration. To maintain night VFR certification Aerotech equipped the kit with a Mid-Continent SAM for increased redundancy and safety.

“The first installation of this system was performed about a year ago,” explains Jeff Denomme, president at Alpine Aerotech. “We have been in close contact with the operator and all reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with a commitment to modify the remainder of its fleet in the near future.”