Avionics manufacturer Avidyne this week announced the release of their new Avidyne Helios multi-function flight management system (FMS) for helicopters.
Avidyne Helios flight management system is a GPS/SBAS flight management system that meets TSO-C146c for full SBAS/LPV approach guidance, including easy-to-use flight planning, one-touch departure, airway, and arrival. It’s designed to integrate with existing equipment in the aircraft including a wide range of CDIs, HSIs, remote sensors, and autopilots. It is also an approved ADS-B GPS position source with numerous transponders.
“Avidyne Helios is a natural extension of our highly-capable multifunction FMS line, providing the same great easy-to-use features of our IFD and ATLAS FMS products," said Avidyne CEO Dan Schwinn.
"Helios is built from the ground up to meet the rigorous demands of the rotorcraft environment. With built in moving map— featuring our new 3 arc-second terrain and power line data—plus charts, and VHF NAV/COM, video, NVIS and radar options, Avidyne Helios gives corporate, military, and special-mission helicopter operators a highly-integrated and much more capable FMS solution .”
The Avidyne Helios provides many of the same features as the Avidyne Atlas FMS, including a Satellite-based Augmentation System (SBAS) GPS navigator, QWERTY keyboard, hybrid touch-screen user interface, full colour moving map, geo-referenced Jeppesen Electronic Approach Charts and Airport Diagrams including helicopter approaches and heliports.
Interfacing with legacy systems such as Collins Proline 21 and Honeywell Primus EFIS can be provided as an option.
The Dzus-mounted single-box system is 190 mm tall, 164 mm wide, and 267 mm deep and was designed to physically fit in the same space as a host of legacy FMS systems.
Avidyne expects Initial certification of the Avidyne Helios later this year, with additional STCs to follow.
More information is on the Avidyne website.