A CHC Helikopter Service Sikorsky S-92 equipped with dual Universal Avionics SBAS-flight management systems recently performed the first localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) approach to Runway 07 in Florø, Norway. The helicopter, LN-OQM, was piloted by John Olav Ofstad and Morten Kufaas on a transit flight from Bergen to Florø, which—in support of the offshore oil and gas industry—is the first Norwegian airport to be equipped with LPV.

CHC’s S-92 is equipped dual Universal Avionics UNS-1Espw SBAS-FMSs and uses four-axis fully coupled modes in the pseudo-ILS mode down to circling minimums. According to the flight crew, the FMS, auto-arming and auto-activation were simpler to set up than with other approach types.

LPV capability for both rotorcraft and airplanes is one of the future navigation concepts embraced for Europe’s Sesar and the FAA’s NextGen roadmaps. Use of these procedures alleviates airspace congestion, saves fuel and improves safety, Universal Avionics said.