Germany-based distributor Telemeter Electronic was at Helitech 2014 demonstrating the ABS StartStick external battery, which can be plugged in where the ground power unit is usually attached, thus saving energy in the aircraft’s battery. Much lighter than a ground power unit, it can also be easily carried for starting-power redundancy at the destination. The device can be recharged in flight.

The StartStick is available in two sizes, weighing 10.5 and 14.5 pounds, respectively, and can be used for helicopters with engines not exceeding 900 shp, according to ABS. What Telemeter Electronic promotes as the aviation industry’s first stowable emergency start battery uses lithium nanophosphate technology.