FreeFlight Systems is offering a new Level B radar altimeter designed for Part 29 helicopters. The new FRA-5500 radar altimeter has the same form, fit and function of FreeFlight’s RA-4X00 series of TSO’d radar altimeters. It satisfies the recent FAA final rule requiring installation of radar altimeters in certain helicopters including those flown by emergency medical service providers. The FRA-5500 is certified to TSO-C87 and meets DO-178B Level B standards.

The new radar altimeter is designed for any aircraft that operates over water or rough terrain, at nighttime, in close ground proximity and in other environments lacking visual cues to the ground, landscape or flight path. It is precise from 2,500 feet to ground level.

The FRA-5500 integrates with electronic flight information systems, flight director systems and integrated flight decks via the available RS232 or Arinc 429 connections. The system optionally includes the night-vision compatible RAD-40 panel-mounted display for altitude preselect and altimeter readout. The optional FTG-410 tone generator audio alert calls flight crew attention to critical altitudes and other aircraft conditions.