Avionics News March 2012 - 50

When Can a Helicopter Panel Be Modified, and When Should It Be Removed?
“Most helicopters have older-style EL (electro-luminescent, electrically lit) overlay panels from the early 1980s and 90s, which are not reparable,” said Nathan Word, director of avionics and completions at Uniflight in Grand Prairie, Texas. “If operators are upgrading from traditional analog gauges to modern digital displays and they want night vision compliance, the older EL panels, which run off AC without lightbulbs in them, degrade,” Word said. “In that case, the helicopter needs the entire panel replaced, preferably with new backlit displays.” Most helicopter panels are designed with the critical flight instruments clustered in the center or right side of the instrument panel – an optimal line of sight for the pilot. The less vital engine instrument cluster, which includes gauges for engine and transmission oil, torque, turbine outlet temperature and fuel quantity often resides on the left side of the panel. “Aviators might want to modify the panel layout to optimize the positioning of the critical instrument cluster for an improved focal distance with aircraft eye points – a key to safety,” Word said. Where instrumentation is specific to a particular emergency medical service or law enforcement agency, operators will need to equip accordingly. If the operator contracts with a new organization, the helicopter may require new, mission-specific equipment and instrumentation, requiring a whole new panel. “Many EMS and law enforcement agencies have helicopters equipped with specialized aftermarket equipment,” Word said. “For example, border patrol or city police might require custom audio panels, while some organizations may require backlighting for night vision. The panel can’t just be modified with a label maker. Typically, we see the most instrument panel changes in the AS350B3 and EC145 Eurocopters, and the Bell 407, which are commonly used by these agencies.” Also, for helicopters being reconfigured to accommodate a second pilot for training, the Federal Aviation Administration requires certain equipment be installed and functional for two-pilot operations. Additional indicators with new labeled overlays must be incorporated into the cockpit. q

Reverse engineering to precise tolerances and custom-designed panels are standard services provided by Envision Avionics Panels.

ENVISION AVIONICS

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we’ll design and create a new panel and ship it to them within a day or two,” Robinson said. “We created a custom panel for a Beechcraft, and it involved several complicated bends. After it was shipped to the customer, they called us saying that a couple of the bends were slightly off, creating a final fit problem. That can happen, because there can be a little bit of variation in measurements. We needed to do a minor modification, and we turned around a brand new panel the same day.” Given the wealth of new technology in the industry, Robinson expects his business to expand in the next four to six years. “We are seeing growth in the industry, and it’s truly a reflection of avionics shops gaining more business as newer equipment hits the market,” Robinson said. “With Garmin, Aspen and Avidyne’s primary flight digital display gauges available now, we are finding they are replacing a lot of older products. It’s exciting for the avionics shops and for us, as well. “I am also excited to see a lot of new technology coming out to replace the old analog engine instruments, such as Ultra Flightline’s AuRACLE digital engine power management system. The industry trend is clearly out with the old and in with the new.” q

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Avionics News March 2012

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