Canadian Helicopters (CHL) is the launch customer for Amphitech International's Oasys obstacle avoidance radar. CHL has ordered a system for installation later this year on a Bell 212 supporting a customer in Labrador, and may fit the radar to Sikorsky S-76s in its emergency medical services fleet.
The Oasys is a nose-mounted 35GHz radar able to detect wires, towers and terrain in all weathers. The system has proved able to detect a 25mm (1in)-diameter cable at 1.8km (1nm) in tests, says Montreal-based Amphitech.
The gyro-stabilised antenna scans 30í in azimuth and 24í in elevation in less than 1s, and looks 10-15s ahead along the helicopter's flightpath using information from its navigation system.
During initial operation of the radar in its Bell 212, CHL will provide data recordings and crew observations to help Amphitech improve detection criteria as well as display and audio cues. Canadian certification of the system is set for later this year, clearing the way for installation on more helicopter types. Amphitech is targeting the system at light and medium twin-turbine helicopters. Dart Aerospace will develop installations for the Oasys radar. The Ontario-based company will design the hardware and provide certification packages for various helicopter types.
Source: Flight International
