Genesys Aerosystems announced that it has recently received Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for its avionics suite utilizing the IDU-680 and supporting sensors in the Leonardo TH-119. This STC also certifies the TH-119 for Single Pilot IFR operations (SPIFR). The TH-119 is the only single-engine helicopter in decades to meet current IFR requirements, allowing pilots to operate the aircraft safely in low visibility and challenging weather conditions, thanks to advanced avionics by the Genesys Aerosystems IDU-680 and redundant helicopter flight systems.

The Genesys configuration certified on the TH-119 includes 4 IDU-680 displays in a dual-sided PFD/MFD format with dual redundant ADAHRS, dual GPS/FMS, dual Data Acquisition Unit (DAU), and other supporting sensors. The Level A certified IDU-680 is a large EFIS display that offers high-resolution LCD glass depicting 3D Synthetic Vision, Highway-In-The-Sky (HITS), Enhanced HTAWS, Integrated FMS, Hover Vector, and many more features.

“This is an incredible accomplishment for both the team at Leonardo and Genesys. The Leonardo TH-119 is now the only currently offered single-engine helicopter to meet the current IFR requirements, and we are proud to have played an integral role with our highly versatile IDU-680 EFIS,” stated Gordon Pratt, VP of Business Development for Genesys Aerosystems.

Based on the successful AW119, the TH-119 is Leonardo’s bid to replace the U.S. Navy’s fleet of aging TH-57 training helicopters. IFR certification is a core requirement for the U.S. Navy’s training helicopter replacement program, also known as Advanced Helicopter Training System TH-73, formerly TH-XX. If selected, up to 130 TH-119s will be built at Leonardo’s existing FAA Part 21 production facility in Philadelphia where all AW119s worldwide are manufactured.