Universal Avionics (UA) announces the completion of Authorized Dealer, Heli-One’s Sikorsky S-76 VVIP helicopter flight deck upgrade. The avionics upgrade replaces legacy Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS) with three UA EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays. The system also includes a new UA UNS-1Lw Flight Management System (FMS) with Vision-1™ Synthetic Vision System.

The UA modern glass cockpit upgrade features the latest in avionics technologies – technologies which are often only available on new aircraft. The modification is available for operators who desire the modern S-76D-like avionics look and feel in other S-76 variants, including the S-76A, B, C, C+ or C++ models. Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) are imminent.

“Legacy helicopters have needed these upgrades for some time, but the options for doing so have been limited until now,” said Grady Dees, Universal Avionics Director of Technical Sales. “Obsolescence and difficulty in supporting electromechanical displays, as well as some mandates, are driving the upgrade market, as are the costs of upgrading a helicopter vs purchasing a new one,” he added. “There is still a lot of life left in these machines, and Heli-One’s experienced and capable team of avionics designers recognize the capabilities to support them. Paired with our products that are designed to seamlessly retrofit onto legacy aircraft, Heli-One and Universal Avionics can offer cost-effective, reliable upgrade solutions.”

“We are honored to complete this aircraft upgrade for our VVIP customer,” said Eddie Lane, President, Heli-One. “Our entire team is privileged to work on this aircraft and we are certain the customer and flight crew will enjoy the modernized flight display and management system,” he added. “The upgrade features the latest in aviation technology to facilitate a truly first-class flight experience.”

UA’s well-proven, reliable EFI-890H solution is a customized, cost-effective technology upgrade for the S-76B. The upgrade provides the ability to see the projected flight path when coupled with the display of aircraft traffic, a powerful safety improvement. This allows the operator to see where the other traffic is in relation to the track they intend to take, and to judge diverging or converging tracks well in advance. Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) terrain also displays, providing terrain mapping when operating low level in an airport or off-airport environment. When operating in marginal Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), this is a tremendous enhancement in safety.