Genesys Aerosystems has started development of the fourth axis on the HeliSAS Autopilot and Stability Augmentation System. The fourth axis brings hover and hold functionality as well as collective control to the highly-successful HeliSAS product line.

The new functionality provides operators with an easy single-button access to enter the helicopter into a stable fixed-position hover and hold orientation for a hands-free operation to focus on other priorities. It also includes collective control to ensure proper speed inputs for all phases of flight.

“As part of the Moog aircraft segment, Genesys has been able to strengthen our research and development capability, and we are working together to bring fourth axis capability to the already full-featured HeliSAS system,” says director of sales and marketing Jamie Luster.

HeliSAS is a patented, lightweight and affordable attitude-based autopilot and stability augmentation system. The workload-reducing autopilot incorporates modes such as heading, navigation, approach, vertical speed, indicated speed and altitude hold. Designed to be on all the time, the stability augmentation system will bring the helicopter back to a neutral attitude by simply easing the forces applied or simply letting go of the cyclic should the pilot become incapacitated, spatially disoriented or lose visual references. In addition to the crucial SAS abilities, the system features over speed and under speed envelope protection, keeping pilots and occupants safely in the flight envelope while the autopilot is on.

Key features include automatic recovery to near-level flight attitude at all airspeeds; stability engagement throughout all phases of flight from startup to shut down; autopilot pitch control - altitude hold, IAS hold, VS hold, GS; autopilot roll control - HDG hold, NAV, LOC, VOR; optional yaw control; over speed and under speed protection; fourth axis hover and hold capability (expected 2023); and collective control (expected 2023).

The STC should be issued by late 2023.

The company also has a new Genesys Control Panel (GCP) for its current Genesys Digital Radio (GDR) product line. The GCP provides additional interface and control options for the GDR Nav/Comm integrated radio product when not installing with the Genesys Avionics Suite. The GCP provides users with a single controller for VHF Comm, VHF Nav, and UHF Comm frequencies. The GDR also continues to maintain third party compatibility to other approved Nav/Comm radio controllers.

“The GCP was designed to offer customers as many options as possible when installing our digital radios as a retrofit solution,” adds Luster. “The radios are already being used by several OEMs with our EFIS displays, and there is a huge customer base that needs radio upgrades with a stand-alone display option.”

The GCP is a remote Dzus mounted Nav/Comm radio controller compatible with the single-box integrated Genesys Digital Radio Nav/Comm product line, called the GDR. The GCP provides command and control for the UHF and VHF communication and navigation frequencies handled by the GDR.

The GDR is a family of remote-mount, software-definable radios. They feature combined VOR/localiser/glideslope and marker beacon navigation and VHF communication with a frequency range of 118-136 MHz or 118-156 MHz and 25 or 8.33 kHz channelisation with transmit power of 16 or 25 watts. Embedded UHF 225-400MHz communication is also available as an option. The GDR is capable of voice communications between aircraft, ground stations and other aircraft, as well as receiving and processing VOR beacon signals for navigation and instrument landing systems (LOC/GS/MBR). The radio can operate up to 55,000 ft and between -55 and +70 Celsius. With 8.33 and 25 kHz spacing, the GDR is capable of operating around the world. Finally, the radio has achieved Design Assurance Level ‘A’, the highest level in safety assessment for software, as well as MIL-STD 704E and 810G accommodating all segments of the aviation market.

The GCP will be available starting Q1, 2023 following completion of the certification in October 2022.