Erickson modifies Aircrane helicopter with enhanced avionics for pilot situational awareness

PORTLAND, Ore., 4 Aug. 2015.Engineers at Erickson Inc. (NASDAQ:EAC), provider of aviation services, announce the design and certification of enhancements to the S-64 Aircranehelicopter -- including modern cockpit avionics -- to improve situational awareness for aircraft pilots as part of the continuous improvement initiative.

Erickson engineers installed and certified FAA-mandated Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) OUT (transmit) systems, which are ADS-B IN (receive) systems combined with global positioning systems (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 staff 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 31 December 2019. Erickson has released the first modified machine to service following successful flight testing.

The new, state-of-the-art design, test, and certification of the ADS-B OUT system can be applied to any platform, officials explain.

“We continue to invest in product enhancing features, such as the ADS-B, to leverage our manufacturing and MRO capabilities,” says Kerry Jarandson, vice president of manufacturing and MRO at Erickson. “Industry-leading product innovation is in our DNA, and we continue to deploy new ideas for our fleet as well as the global customer base we support.”

Erickson is a global provider of aviation services and operates, maintains, and manufactures utility aircraft to safely transport and place people and cargo around the world. The company is self-reliant, multifaceted, and operates in remote locations under challenging conditions specializing in Government Services, Manufacturing and MRO, and Commercial Services (comprised of firefighting, HVAC, power line, construction, timber harvesting, oil and gas, and specialty lift).

With roots dating back to 1960, Erickson operates a fleet of approximately 80 aircraft, is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA, and operates in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Australia.