Astronautics Corporation of America, together with Alpha Aviation and StandardAero, is seeking Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) co-validation of its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) supplemental type certificate (STC) for the RoadRunner AFI4700 electronic flight instrument (EFI) on Leonardo A109 helicopters in Japan.

The co-validation would recognise FAA STC No. SR04390CH covering installation of the AFI4700 EFI on A109E, A109S and AW109SP helicopters. This would allow operators in Japan to install the system using the FAA-approved certification basis.

RoadRunner is designed to modernise legacy cockpits by replacing analogue attitude director and horizontal situation indicators with digital displays intended to improve situational awareness and reliability while reducing maintenance costs.

“The JCAB co-validation process is an important step for RoadRunner and for operators in Japan,” says Griffin Wendt, manager of business development at Astronautics Corporation of America. “It will allow Japanese operators to adopt a modern, digital EFI solution based on a FAA STC while maintaining alignment with local regulatory requirements.”

The effort is being conducted with StandardAero and Tokyo-based Alpha Aviation. Alpha Aviation is installing the RoadRunner EFI on an A109E helicopter and supporting ground and flight testing in Japan. Co-validation is expected later this year.