Rogerson Aircraft's electronic flight-instrument system (EFIS) and Integrated Instrument Displays (IIDS) have been selected as standard fit by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada for all its current production twin helicopters until 2005.
Valued at more than $150 million, the agreement is the largest single deal ever received by California-based Rogerson and covers the Bell 212, 412, 427 and 430. Deliveries to the 430 line are already under way and the company will begin supplying the 412 and 427 lines in late 1997.
Rogerson was the first to certificate a colour active-matrix liquid-crystal display (CAMLCD) EFIS and IIDS for a rotary-wing application, and the first to certificate a CAMLCD EFIS non-precision global-positioning-system approach with area navigation. Both achievements and Rogerson's long association with Bell are cited as reasons for the victory over competition from AlliedSignal, Collins and Honeywell.
"We were able to work with them from a very early stage," says Rogerson, which adds that the IIDS replaces up to 38 conventional instruments, as well as the caution advisory system.
The Rogerson EFIS has been selected by Agusta for the primary flight display in the A109.
Source: Flight International
