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| Erickson S-64 Aircrane. Photo: Erickson |
[Avionics Today 08-03-2015] Erickson is introducing newly designed and certified avionics upgrades for the S-64 Aircrane to improve situational awareness for aircraft pilots. The company has installed and certified FAA-mandated Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out systems, which are ADS-B In systems combined with GPS units with Helicopter Terrain and Awareness System (HTAWS). The HTAWS system provides flight crews with real-time visual and audible information for terrain and obstacles in and around the helicopter flight plan.
Erickson performed all system design, integration, testing and certification for the advanced avionics, and has selected Garmin Limited to supply the hardware for the new systems. The modification is FAA approved and certified to today’s regulatory requirements, but will also be compliant with the new mandated FAA requirements that will be required by Dec. 31, 2019. Erickson has released the first modified machine to service following successful flight testing.