DALLAS, March 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell
(NYSE: HON) has received Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) —
issued by a governmental agency for approval to modify an aircraft
from its original design — for its connectivity and condition-based
maintenance products for a variety of helicopters. The new
certification enables Honeywell's Aspire 200 satellite
communications system and Honeywell Health and Usage Monitoring
Systems to be used globally. These offerings will help helicopter
operators around the world throughout a variety of missions,
including search and rescue, oil and gas, air ambulance, and law
enforcement.
"Helicopter operators need to be able to depend on their
aircraft to keep them and others safe," said Tom Neumann, vice president, Operations,
BendixKing. "These Supplemental Type Certificates allow pilots to
stay connected with maintenance, operations and other personnel on
the ground at all times. Pilots also avoid groundings and reduce
costs by using predictive maintenance diagnostics and alerts with
Honeywell Health and Usage Monitoring Systems and Vibration Expert,
an onboard maintenance vibration system that detects potential
issues before they affect the aircraft. This is especially
important when someone's life is on the line, as is often the case
in search and rescue or ambulance missions."
The Aspire 200 system for helicopters brings broadband speeds to
the cabin while reducing the impact of rotor wash on the satellite
signal, which is a first for the industry. Before Aspire 200,
helicopter operators experienced unreliable connectivity because
the rotor blades disrupted satellite signals. The Aspire 200 system
provides cabin voice and data services through Inmarsat's
SwiftBroadband satellite system and is now certified for
installation on the Augusta AW139. STCs are in development for the
Sikorsky S-92, AS332 Super Puma, Airbus AS350, and Sikorsky
Blackhawk platforms to provide operators with consistent and
reliable broadband connectivity.
Honeywell's Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) and
Vibration Expert (VXP) have been issued certifications for multiple
helicopters by the FAA, EASA and the National Civil Aviation Agency
(ANAC) of Brazil, which will allow
maintainers to have onboard, sensor-based monitoring systems to
measure the health and performance of helicopter components.
Honeywell's VXP solutions continuously monitor aircraft vibration
data to determine component issues before they fail and have one of
the most proven track records among the maintenance vibration
products available.
Operators using condition-based maintenance systems have
experienced results such as a 4 to 5 percent increase in helicopter
availability, 30 percent reduction in mission aborts, 20 percent
reduction in maintenance test flights, and 5 to 10 percent
reduction in scheduled maintenance costs.
Below are the helicopter platforms listed by STC:
Aspire 200 satellite communications system
- Leonardo AW139
- In progress:
- Sikorsky S-92
- AS332 Super Puma
- Airbus AS350
- Blackhawk
Honeywell Health and Usage Monitoring Systems
- Sikorsky S-76C+/++
- Leonardo AW139
- Sikorsky Blackhawk
Honeywell VXP Health and Usage Monitoring Systems
- Airbus EC145
- Airbus AS350 (pending FAA approval)
Brazilian ANAC STC for Honeywell
VXP Health and Usage Monitoring Systems
- Bell 206
- Airbus EC135
- Airbus EC145
Honeywell technical and business experts will be available
during HAI HELI-EXPO 2017 to discuss the STCs. Visit Booth #5423
for more information.
Supporting Resources
- Read more about the Aspire 200 satellite communications
system
- Read more about the Honeywell Health and Usage Monitoring
Systems
- Read more about Honeywell Aerospace on the Follow The Aero
blog
- Like Honeywell Aerospace on Facebook
- Follow @Honeywell_Aero on Twitter
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100
software-industrial company that delivers industry specific
solutions that include aerospace and automotive products and
services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry;
and performance materials globally. Our technologies help
everything from aircraft, cars, homes and buildings, manufacturing
plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make
our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news
and information on Honeywell, please visit
www.honeywell.com/newsroom.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honeywell-receives-certification-to-keep-helicopters-connected-and-mission-ready-for-operators-300418244.html
SOURCE Honeywell