Five UK Police helicopter-support units have ordered Skyquest Aviation's EuroNav III moving-map system, for use during airborne-surveillance missions.
Using the EuroNav III, an onboard police observer is able to pinpoint a location such as a house address, and provide the pilot with instant navigation data to reach the scene of an incident, Surrey, UK-based Skyquest claims. The observer is then able to familiarise himself with the incident scene before the aircraft arrives, by studying an enlarged version of the area concerned on the map display.
The position of the helicopter is also shown on the map, using data from a global-positioning system (GPS) receiver. Skyquest says that several customers have selected a differential GPS option, which "-offers position accuracy down to 1m [3ft]".
The company adds that the system can aid navigation at night, when a searchlight or thermal camera has to be used by the crew.
Source: Flight International
