Amphitech International has announced an initial sale of the first commercially available obstacle avoidance radar system for helicopters to Canadian Helicopters Ltd. (CHL) of Les Cedres, Quebec. The obstacle avoidance system, called “Oasys,” is designed to detect small obstacles, such as power transmission lines, at ranges of up to one nautical mile. The system will be installed aboard a CHL Bell 212 in service with a customer in Labrador.

Many earlier attempts at an obstacle avoidance radar by other manufacturers have proved disap- pointing and Amphitech freely admits that this first installation will be a continuation of basic research. A company statement said: “During the initial operating period…on board the CHL Bell 212, it is expected that there will be an adaptation period when recordings made by the system as well as pilot and maintenance crew observations [will be] provided to Amphitech engineers to improve its detection criteria and display and audio cues.”

Oasys is not yet certified by Transport Canada and hence this first installation will be made under the terms of a limited STC for this aircraft only. CHL’s first Oasys commercial test bed is expected to begin in late fall.