Integrated Flight Deck in Tests on MD 902

Universal Avionics recently successfully completed the first flight of its InSight integrated flight deck on theMD Helicopters 902 as the manufacturer aims to bring the avionics suite to market by early next year.
The February 17 initial flight, completed at the MDHelicopters facility in Mesa, Ariz., tested multiple phases of flight, including ground-run operations, ramp area hover/maneuvering and airport area operations with speed and altitude buildups. “This is an important step in the development of the new avionics suite for the MD 902,” said Grady Dees, Universal Avionics director of technical sales.

Universal Avionics first announced it was working withMD Helicopters on an integrated flight deck in 2013, and then took the wraps off the InSight suite for the MD902 a year later. MD Helicopters is both the forward-fit and retrofit OEM launch customer. The avionics will replace aging Bendix/King EFIS 40 cathode-ray-tube displays on the MD 902. Universal Avionics also is working toward certification of the system as a retrofit on the Cessna Citation VII.

For the MD 902, Universal is developing options for either two or three landscape-oriented high-resolutionLCD displays with LED backlighting. The avionics suite includes a cursor slew switch mounted on the collective that the company says enables pilots to keep “hands on, head up” during all phases of flight. InSight also incorporates the company’s latest synthetic vision technology, which depicts details to the level of shimmer that comes off water.

InSight is the first integrated flight deck that Universal Avionics has brought to the helicopter market and marks a strategic decision by the company to significantly expand its presence there, said Robert Clare, director of sales. Universal Avionics has had a footprint in the market with its flight management systems and has already seen growth through its NextGen products, such as ADS-B-compliant systems. “We were recognized to a certain extent for our FMS,” Clare said.

But after unveiling MD Helicopters as the launch OEMcustomer for the flight deck, he noted that representatives of nearly every helicopter manufacturer have inquired about the system. He added that the companies expect to expand on the business with future applications, saying they are discussing both forward fit and retrofit possibilities.

Universal Avionics has collaborated closely with MDHelicopters as it has developed the system, and saidMD 902 operators have expressed strong interest. Pricing details for a retrofit option are still being finalized, Clare said.

While the Explorer is a Part 27 helicopter, Universal Avionics has certified the system to Part 29/Part 25 standards and said it would meet Level A requirements, which entail a more rigorous testing and certification regime.

This will give Universal Avionics flexibility for IFR use as well as future applications, not only in rotorcraft and business aircraft, but potentially in the commercial and government sectors.

(Culled from ainonline.com)