Successful integration and testing of the new ‘Transition to Hover’ feature has now been completed in the AS332L/L1 Super Puma helicopter. As part of a new software change for the Universal Avionics flight management system (FMS), Transition to Hover is a must-have feature for any AS332L/L1 crew engaged in overwater SAR operations, where the helicopter must be brought to a specific position to allow for winch operations.
Transition to Hover allows pilots to mark a target and the FMS provides an automatic downwind leg with a course reversal, positioning the helicopter at a point where the CDV-155 can perform the transition downward and deceleration to a stable hover downwind of the target. Transition to Hover allows a hands-free operation for the crew, allowing them to focus on other mission-critical tactics.
“This is an important addition to the FMS/Multi-Missions Management System (MMMS) SAR capabilities,” said Grady Dees, Universal Avionics’ director of technical sales. “The Mark-on-Target can be activated during any MMMS operation, including during automatic search patterns,” he added. “Just a single pilot action after Mark-on-Target allows the automatic procedure to be executed.”
The flight testing in Stavanger, Norway, was accomplished on a military helicopter with Heli-One as part of an AS332L/L1 modernization program currently underway.
Edited by Michael Jones
