Astronautics Corporation of America’s RoadRunner electronic flight instrument (EFI), AFI 4700, has been installed, flown, and demonstrated on a variety of helicopter platforms—including Bell 212, Bell 214ST, and AW109—validating its ease of installation and integration into existing avionics suites.

With additional flight demonstrations planned for mid-March, the drop-in replacement EFI displays attitude direction and horizontal situation indicator (ADI and HSI) functionality on a single instrument, replacing electromechanical and first-generation EFI system displays.

“Building on our extensive experience designing and manufacturing ADIs and HSIs for commercial and military helicopters, Astronautics designed the RoadRunner EFI as a drop-in replacement for these instruments but with expanded functionality,” said Eyton Zelazo, Astronautics displays & cockpit integration product line manager.  “Our customers told us they wanted a quick and cost-effective way to upgrade their helicopters to modern EFI systems with minimal wiring changes.  The RoadRunner EFI has been designed specifically for the long-term needs of our helicopter customers and the demanding environments in which they operate,” he said.

The Astronautics RoadRunner EFI provides operators readability in all lighting conditions, reduced operating and maintenance costs, and minimal downtime for installation.  Installation of the EFI takes only two hours, and the unit is designed to be easily upgradeable with new software functionality that can be tailored to meet customer needs and mission requirements.  Internal Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning and Synthetic Vision Systems will be available options in early 2019, providing operators with additional safety features.

Astronautics has established dealer networks in the United States, Europe, and South America to sell, install, and maintain fielded RoadRunner EFIs.

Astronautics expects to receive Technical Standard Order approval for its RoadRunner EFI in early third quarter of this year.

To learn more about the RoadRunner EFI and its capabilities, visit Astronautics during the HAI HELI-EXPO on stand C5854; on the Eagle Copters Limited stand C4851, installed in an ERA Group Inc. Bell 212 cockpit with running demonstration software; and on the StandardAero stand C6043, as part of its SafeCraft system.