Air Comm Corporation this week is unveiling a smart technology, digital climate control system for a helicopter. Demonstrations of the system will be ongoing in the Air Comm Exhibit 2817, where representatives will be available to answer questions, throughout Heli-Expo 2010, Feb. 21-23. The first 25 people to visit Air Comm’s booth to test the climate control system simulator will receive a $5 Starbucks gift card.
Air Comm Corp. is a privately held company that develops environmental control systems and provides mission-critical components and engineering solutions for military and commercial aerospace customers.
“This is a game changer that will dramatically alter customer expectations of airborne climate control,” said company President Keith Steiner. “This system will enable operators to dial in and control the temperature in their cabin or cockpit, just as easily as they do in their homes and vehicles.”
The system, which features Air Comm proprietary software, is being developed for the Bell 429, at the request of Bell Helicopter, “for buyers who wanted a higher level of sophistication,” Steiner explained.  The climate control system will be optional equipment offered by the factory to Bell 429 buyers.  The development program will advance into flight testing this summer, and Steiner expects Federal Aviation Administration certification later this year.
The key feature of the Air Comm digital climate control system is its Automatic Heater Ejector.  This automated version of Air Comm’s bleed air mini-ejector is designed with integrated software and stepper-motor actuation.  Each ejector in the aircraft operates independently to provide balanced heating throughout the cockpit and cabin.  As temperatures rise, the air conditioner system takes over, with each evaporator and blower independently operating to maintain uniform temperatures throughout the aircraft.
The announcement comes on the heels of Air Comm’s most successful year ever, and underscores the company’s commitment to advancing the state of the art in climate control technology.
Air Comm Corp. designs, manufactures, and supports more than 20 heating and air conditioning systems for a range of helicopters, including Agusta, Bell, Eurocopter, MD, and Sikorsky. Additionally, Air Comm has specialized expertise in fluid mass flow analysis, and electro/mechanical system design, development and production. Other capabilities include CNC tube fabrication, wire harness fabrication, circuit breaker/relay/control panel design and production, and engineering services. The company is ISO9000/AS-9100 certified.