Helicopter - Global Real-time data transfer - Curt Lewis

CHC, Leonardo & SKYTRAC Cooperate for Global Real-Time In Flight Safety Data Transfer

September 27, 2017 - CHC Helicopter, in collaboration with Leonardo and SKYTRAC, have successfully completed testing of a real-time Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) and cockpit Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) solution on an AW139 helicopter.

An industry first, the technology includes inflight HUMS analysis with real-time air-to-ground exceedance alerts and automated downloads to Leonardo's HeliWise analysis software. Live weather and Marine AIS feeds to the cockpit are included for increased situational awareness to the crews, ensuring that their decision-making is based on the very latest information.

The system also permits immediate and automatic download of Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) data whenever the aircraft comes into range of a company secured Wi-Fi hotspot at home base. Data can be seamlessly and securely uploaded into the system used by the FDM analysts, saving valuable time and eliminating manual transfer of this safety-critical data.

"CHC's core focus is on safety and efficiency. This technology will help detect HUMS exceedances early while speeding up the analysis process. In addition, the SKYTRAC EFB application monitors live weather and marine traffic inflight. This will help pilots easily identify changes to potentially unsafe flight conditions (such as those related to thunderstorms and lightning activity) and take alternative measures in a more measured fashion," said Dave Balevic, CHC's senior vice president, engineering and operations.

"Leonardo is pleased to be part of this innovative AW139 project with CHC and SKYTRAC. Today more than ever, the industry is looking for a practical and flexible solution for real-time HUMS and automated wireless post-flight downloads to satisfy the need of a timely access to HUMS data. This important achievement will help CHC to fully streamline their AW139s' HUMS data download and processing to reduce aircraft AOGs and to increase aircraft continuous airworthiness," said Leonardo Helicopters Head of PSE & Licenses, Maurizio D'Angelo.

"SKYTRAC is proud to have our real-time data transfer technology successfully demonstrated by CHC and Leonardo. We understand the challenges faced by global Oil & Gas operators. We offer a lightweight and minimally intrusive product that is capable of robust onboard data analysis, true pole-to-pole communications coverage and reliable data offloading. For the cockpit component, we've designed a user-friendly EFB application that can be accessed quickly and easily with a standard tablet. It is an all-in-one solution for true real-time awareness," said SKYTRAC VP Sales Jan van der Heul.

ABOUT CHC
For 70 years, CHC Helicopter has provided safe, reliable, cost-effective helicopter service in some of the most remote and challenging environments around the world. With extensive experience transporting customers in the oil and gas industry, supporting search-and-rescue and EMS contracts, and providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services, our dedication to safety and reputation for quality and innovation help our customers reach beyond what they thought possible. Visit www.chcheli.com for information.

ABOUT LEONARDO
Leonardo is among the top ten global players in Aerospace, Defence and Security and Italy's main industrial company. As a single entity from January 2016, organised into seven business divisions (Helicopters; Aircraft; Aero-structures; Airborne & Space Systems; Land & Naval Defence Electronics; Defence Systems; Security & Information Systems), Leonardo operates in the most competitive international markets by leveraging its areas of technology and product leadership. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), at 31 December 2016 Leonardo recorded consolidated revenues of 12 billion Euros and has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the UK, the U.S. and Poland.

ABOUT SKYTRAC
SKYTRAC is aviation's full-service, data-driven solutions provider. Since 1986, SKYTRAC has pioneered the development, evolution and commercialization of flight following, flight data and communications technology. Today, with systems certified on over 900 airframes and an online data management portal that is the go-to tool for over 6,500 global users, SKYTRAC is truly the partner of choice for data-guided business insights. From performance trending and operations reporting to real-time asset tracking and situational awareness - SKYTRAC offers a one-stop response to meeting more of your company's needs. For more information go to www.skytrac.ca.