OSF Aviation, LLC, a division of OSF HealthCare based in Peoria, Illinois, recently took delivery of their first of four (4) new Eurocopter EC145 Air Medical helicopters with the Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 Digital Audio System installed. These EC145s are part of a fleet replacement program for OSF’s operations. OSF Aviation is the provider of air medical support services to hospitals and communities through OSF HealthCare’s Illinois service areas. The aircraft will replace the fleet operated for OSF Saint Anthony Lifeline (Rockford, IL) and OSF Saint Francis Life Flight (Peoria, IL).

The completion of their other three EC145 aircraft is currently underway at United Rotorcraft in Denver, a division of Air Methods (formerly known as the Products Division). The aircraft will be delivered to OSF during the first half of 2012.

The DVCS6100 was chosen due to its unique ability to effectively manage and control all audio sources in the helicopter. Becker’s Digital multi-channel audio and intercom system, with its software configurable profiles, provides the flexibility to specifically customize the system to meet the demanding operational requirements of OSF’s HEMS operation. The DVCS6100 manages all transceivers, receivers and audio warning sources in one central system and provides simulcast capabilities on 8 channels, along with a new radio relay feature.

Brett Gardner, Director of Sales and Marketing stated, “We are delighted to see that the first OSF helicopter has delivered with our digital audio system on board. The DVSC6100 will provide their Life Flight and Lifeline programs with the most advanced digital airborne audio management system on the market and will enhance their operational capabilities.”

About the DVCS6100

The DVCS6100 design provides the customer with ability to match a wide range of operational requirements with only one system. The built-in scalability and flexibility reduces not only the cost and time requirements for constant re-engineering and certification for a tailored system solution, but also reduces the learning curve for integration, maintenance and troubleshooting time. Through software programming options, the system is both easily and quickly configurable to individual customer requirements, thus saving time and money.

The DVCS’ open system architecture technology provides for operational comfort and superior voice quality, ensuring that almost any customer requirement can be met, while providing crystal clear communication for crew and passengers. Becker Avionics focuses on meeting individual requirements with the highest commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

The state-of-the-art Digital DVCS6100 will enhance the effectiveness of any aerial platform. When compared to a legacy analog audio system, Digital technology provides simplified installation, improved performance, reduced wiring and weight, along with reduced installation and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the comprehensive built-in-test (BIT) feature enables line maintenance crews to easily diagnose/isolate failures and to replace system components quickly.

No matter what the mission – from EMS to law enforcement, to passenger transport and surveillance or utility operations – the Becker Digital Audio system ensures a more modern and capable aerial platform.

DVCS6100 Digital Audio System Features

The DVCS6100 was designed for both rotary and fixed-wing applications. The product fully reflects Becker Avionics’ proven know-how over the last 40-years in audio system development for the aerospace industry. Since the market introduction of the 1st DVCS generation, over 1000 systems have been delivered worldwide, with all achieving outstanding field reliability. The company’s continuous product improvement program has also contributed to the DVCS6100 being another Becker product success story.

Becker’s Digital Audio technology is superior to any analog audio system, as it offers crystal-clear voice communication quality, a proven Man-Machine-Interface (MMI), outstanding reliability, scalability and flexibility, and is software configurable. The main system components of the DVCS6100 system are the Remote Electronic Unit (REU) 6100, the Audio Control Unit (ACU) 6100, and the optional Intercom Amplifier IC3100.

The product offers up to 8 communication transmit (TX) and up to 8 receiver (RX) channels, an integrated warning tone generator for up to 8 different signals, an amplifier for 2 cockpit speakers, as well as interface capability for 2 Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR), and a Public Address Amplifier (PA). It is also the only commercial digital audio product available that can provide simulcast capability on 8 channels, along with a radio relay function, and emergency and slaved mode operation.

Up to 6 audio control units (ACUs) can be operated together with one REU. Each unit can be configured with the included software to give complete adjustments across different on-board systems. The system also meets the highest standards for night operation under special mission or military NVG conditions. The DVCS6100 represents a unique mission support tool that easily outperforms the competition.

Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 provides ‘best in class’ performance – Becker, the market leader in commercial Digital intercoms!

About OSF   

OSF Saint Anthony Lifeline (Rockford, Illinois) and OSF Saint Francis Life Flight (Peoria, Illinois) programs are 24-hour helicopter air-medical transport services. Their teams of physicians, nurses, pilots and mechanics handle and average 2,200 patient transfers each year, making them a one of the busiest air medical operations in the State of Illinois. Their parent, the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis have led the way in air-medical transport helicopter service in Illinois since 1981, and together, OSF HealthCare’s Life Flight and Lifeline services combine to form one of the premier flight programs in the United States

About United Rotocraft

United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, is a certified FAA Repair Station that provides aircraft completions and refurbishment services, systems integration, maintenance, component overhaul, customized interior installations and unsurpassed exterior finishing, servicing all segments of the helicopter industry – Air Medical, Law Enforcement, Special Mission, Corporate and Utility.  They also offer FAA approved NVG compatible lighting systems and designs, engineers, manufactures, and certifies medical interiors for the Eurocopter EC135, EC130, and AS350, and Bell 407 and 429 helicopter airframes.

About Becker Avionics

Becker Avionics is a privately held high-tech company that develops, manufactures and distributes the latest communications, navigation, surveillance and search & rescue equipment for airborne and ground applications.

Becker Avionics has a longstanding history of over 50 years in providing equipment to General and Corporate Aviation, ATC, Airborne Law Enforcement, and military organizations around the world. In order to support international market requirements the Company has established branches around the world. Becker Avionics supports an extensive customer base, such as, but not limited to: Eurocopter, EADS, Airbus, Bell Helicopter, British Aerospace, ATR, CASA, RUAG, Xi’an Aircraft Corporation, AgustaWestland, Pilatus, German Air Force, Navy and Army, German Border Patrol, German Police, Austrian Army and Police, Swiss Air Force, Dutch Police, Security Civil, Irish Air Corps, Egyptian Navy, Indonesian Navy, Portuguese Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, etc.

For more information see:

www.beckerusa.com or http://www.beckerusa.com/dvcs/.