North Flight Data Systems (Booth No. 413) of Shreveport, La., announced here at Heli-Expo that it has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) that adds the Bell 407GX to the list of model 407 series helicopters certified for its CVR/FDR (cockpit voice recorder/flight data recorder) system. It also received STC approval for installation in the Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 and the EC130B4 models.

The North Flight system provides a crash-resistant CVR/FDR that far exceeds the recent ED155 data capture guidelines and enables an operator to record more than 100 engine and airframe parameters as well as six individual audio channels with video recording. The system can record the complete HeliSas autopilot data stream as well as either analog or digital radar altimeters. An internal attitude heading reference system (AHRS) data stream supplements recorded airframe and engine data. The addition of hook load or other accessory equipment data is easily accommodated.

“Our goal has always been to provide helicopter operators with affordable voice, video and flight data recording equipment that provides the detailed data that was available only on larger aircraft in the past,” said company president Jeff Warner. “We have surpassed the level of detail obtained in the large and expensive CVR/FDRs.”

Tampa General Hospital has begun using the system on its four new Bell 407GXs, operated by Metro Aviation. Metro Aviation managing director Milton Geltz said the installation of the systems “solidifies our commitment to install a comprehensive system and never compromise safety with partial data solutions.”