Leonardo Helicopters’ AW189 P5 prototype recently completed multiple ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) satnav approaches at Zurich Airport using CMC Electronics’ CMA-6024 Landing System Sensor Unit as the precision approach sensor, the unit of Esterline (Booth B4724) Avionics Systems announced Monday at the opening of Heli-Expo. “We are proud of this latest milestone and confident that Leonardo and other customers will appreciate the CMA-6024’s performance, reliability, versatility, and ease of installation,” Esterline president Michel Potvin said.

Its CMA-6024 is an evolution of the CMA-5024 GLSSU that Esterline said adds a complete satnav solution to helicopters and all types of aircraft, delivering high-reliability, GBAS, and satellite-based augmentation system precision approaches. The product doesn’t require specialized installation or integration. It is compliant with ARINC 743C satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS)/GBAS, ADS-B, and required navigation performance, and offers an SBAS precision approach guidance solution with localizer performance/localizer performance and vertical guidance.

The achievement by Leonardo’s (Booth B7024) light intermediate twin is one of the first GBAS approaches by a helicopter and will lead the way toward certification of satnav precision approaches for helicopters, Esterline said.

In other news announced on Monday, Esterline said CMC signed an agreement to partner with MRO provider StandardAero on rotorcraft retrofits. Under the agreement, CMC and StandardAero will jointly pursue new business for upgrades to medium- and heavy-lift commercial, military, and government helicopters. 

“We expect to deliver meaningful cost and logistic benefits to helicopter owners and operators using our combined installation expertise and world-class avionics solutions, creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts,” Potvin said.

Esterline’s piece of the partnership agreement would include CMC products such as 10-inch smart MFDs, rugged displays, CMA-900 flight management system, CMA-5024 GPS hardware, and optional Doppler, and electronic flight bag equipment. StandardAero will offer customized integration and engineering. 

“We look forward to a long and beneficial partnership that also provides deep value to our customers,” Potvin added.