Cobham Commercial Systems and DAC International have announced the first installation of a HeliSAS Autopilot and Stability Augmentation System in Brazil.  Cobham, HeliSAS’ manufacturer, and DAC, HeliSAS’ South American sales representative, worked with Aristek Comércio Aeronautico, Sao Paulo, to install the system on a privately-owned Eurocopter AS350 B3 helicopter.

HeliSAS is lightweight, and designed specifically for light and medium rotorcraft.  As a two-axis, attitude hold, attitude command flight control system it allows the pilot to perform cockpit functions hands-free and significantly reduces workload.  HeliSAS also enhances flight stability, providing precise control during all modes of flight, regardless of wind conditions or aircraft center-of-gravity.  HeliSAS has obtained Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) for the following aircraft: AS350 model series, EC130, Bell 206B, 206L, and 407.

“We are excited to have partnered with DAC International to bring this helicopter safety enhancement to Brazil,” said Roger Smith, Cobham Commercial Systems Mineral Wells general manager.

“Aviation in Brazil is growing rapidly and there are hundreds of Bell and Eurocopter aircraft eligible for similar installations,” said Luiz Eduardo Vianna, captain of the HeliSAS-installed aircraft. “I’m convinced HeliSAS will deliver safer, more stable flight.  Air space in Brazil is becoming increasingly crowded, and flying with the HeliSAS system allows me to concentrate on situational awareness.”

About Cobham

Cobham specializes in meeting the demand for data, connectivity and bandwidth in defense, security and commercial environments. Offering a technically diverse and innovative range of technologies and services, the Group protects lives and livelihoods, responding to customer needs with agility that differentiates it. The most important thing we build is trust. Employing 10,000 people on five continents, the Group has customers and partners in over 100 countries.

About Cobham Commercial Systems

Cobham Commercial Systems is a leading provider of integrated avionics systems, emergency locator systems and radar and missile electronics for military and civil customers. Cobham’s avionics systems can be offered individually or integrated to provide an entire cockpit. Its synthetic vision Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) revolutionized safety in low-level flight operations and is now approved on more than 700 aircraft and helicopter models. Cobham’s new Helicopter Stability Augmentation System (HeliSAS) adds to its extensive range of fixed wing auto-pilot solutions and brings added safety within the reach of a host of operators for whom such systems were previously too expensive and heavy. Cobham Commercial Systems is also an acknowledged expert in Emergency Locator Transmitter and Personal Locator Beacon technologies, from personal units to Original Equipment Manufacturer mounted systems on airliners and helicopters. Its radar and missile RF front end electronics are part of many radars, missiles, and space and commercial radar systems as well as leading edge Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) solutions.

About DAC International
DAC International, Inc. is an avionics sales and distribution company that specializes in the sale and distribution of sophisticated avionics products, systems, and test equipment to the world’s airlines, corporate aircraft, modification centers, aircraft manufacturers, special mission, and military markets.