Metro Completes First AS350 HeliSAS

May 25, 2011

Air medical service provider and helicopter completions specialist, Metro Aviation has recently completed the first installation of the Cobham HeliSAS autopilot system for an air medical AStar owned and operated by the company.

Metro Aviation was instrumental in the development and subsequent FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the AS350 and EC130 model type helicopters utilizing the Cobham autopilot. The company is also performing HeliSAS installations on eight EC130B4 helicopters that will enter service for MedFlight in the Ohio area providing air medical transportation.

The AS350B2 was both completed and is operated by Metro Aviation, based in Shreveport, Louisiana and provides air medical service for MedStat EMS, based in Winona, Mississippi.

The Cobham HeliSAS is a lightweight stability augmentation and autopilot system designed to enhance safety and reduce pilot workload. Increased reliability is achieved through digital architecture with a dual processor and fail-passive integration. Additionally, the system weight is less than sixteen pounds and features a parallel design requiring fewer components and reduced installation time.

Company Managing Director, Milton Geltz commented, “We are convinced that there are significant merits with a system such as the Cobham HeliSAS and we also view this as an investment in our overall operational safety enhancement program. We plan to equip our entire AStar fleet over the next twenty four months.”

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