Bell is the first OEM to certify a health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) for a light single-engine aircraft, the company announced this week. The GPMS Foresight MX HUMS in the Bell 407 uses “smart sensor” architecture to collect data in seconds on the drive system, engine, and rotors and provides estimates of component remaining useful life. Bell characterized the system as cost-sensitive, lightweight, and employing the latest technology. It said the fast data acquisition speed of the system allows it to gather data more often for more accurate diagnosis.

GPMS solutions also provide innovative signal filtering technology and prognostic algorithms that enhance reporting accuracy. HUMS-equipped aircraft registered with Bell will be able to access data on mobile devices via the MissionLink off-board data platform. All aircraft data will be available in a single system dashboard on a data-landing page available on a customer’s smartphone mobile device, allowing aircraft to communicate performance and provide historical trend analysis and core component health vitals.