Astronautics Corporation of America is pleased to announce that Patria Aviation OY in Finland has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 10082814 for Astronautics’ AFI4700 RoadRunner Electronic Flight Instrument (EFI) on Bell 212/412EP helicopters.

Patria’s first installation of the RoadRunner EFI is on a Bell 412EP search and rescue (SAR) helicopter for the Finnish Border Guard (FBG), as part of an ongoing avionics modification program to upgrade the helicopter’s avionics, communication, and navigation capabilities.

Astronautics’ RoadRunner EFI, combined with the Patria installation kit, is an easy-to-install and cost-effective retrofit for legacy attitude director indicators (ADIs) and horizontal situation indicators (HSIs), combining their dual functionality into one digital flight instrument for a modern and more capable flying experience.

“Helicopter operators in Europe and worldwide are facing issues with avionics obsolescence, evolving airspace requirements, and new navigation options based on global navigation satellite systems, all of which require upgrading the pilot avionics,” said Tuomo Jokisalo, Head of Airworthiness for Patria.  “The required navigation performance not only creates demands for the navigation system, but also for pilot guidance and indications that the analog, legacy systems are not able to provide.  This, combined with high reliability requirements in complex, radio-controlled flight in instrument flight rule and night-vision imaging system conditions, can only be met with the highest design assurance levels for both the software and hardware.

“Patria’s EASA-approved Design Organization is working with several customers to solve these problems, and it is our opinion that the most cost-effective way to answer the full scope of these requirements is with the Astronautics RoadRunner display system,” said Tuomo.  “As the integrator, STC developer, and the operator, we are very happy with the performance and capabilities of the RoadRunner display system.”

“Congratulations to our dealer Patria for receiving the first EASA STC for Astronautics’ RoadRunner EFI on Bell 212/412EP rotorcraft,” said Aymeric Larose, Astronautics’ director of business development.  “Not only will the RoadRunner modernize and extend the service life of the FBG Bell 412 SAR helicopter and others to follow, it will also add needed capabilities that will decrease pilot workload and increase situational awareness.”

Approved for single-pilot instrument flight rules, the RoadRunner EFI retrofit decreases operator workload and increases operational safety by enabling localizer performance with guidance approaches and area navigation with capable GPS, while interfacing with multiple aircraft sensors.

The EFI provides operators readability in all lighting conditions, familiar and easy-to-use controls, reduced operating and maintenance costs, and minimal downtime for installation.  The unit is easily upgradeable with field-loadable software.  Synthetic vision and helicopter terrain awareness and warning systems are the next planned enhancements to the instrument.

For more information about Astronautics’ RoadRunner EFI and additional display, system, cybersecurity, and connectivity solutions, visit us at the Farnborough International Airshow, July 22-25, 2024, Hall 2, Booth 2031, or contact us at BusDev@Astronautics.com.