UK CAA awards R&D contract intended to bring significant improvements in health and usage monitoring systems
Smiths Aerospace has won a research and development contract from the UK Civil Aviation Authority for the advancement of helicopter health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS). Smiths principal applications consultant Brian Larder says the programme will result in "the most significant advance in vibration health monitoring [VHM] technology for several years" for helicopter fleets (Flight International, 6-12 April).
VHM equipment is to be developed from Smiths' "data mining" tool used on fixed-wing aircraft engines. The CAA says the new VHM will be an "artificial intelligence" system that automatically analyses data, whereas existing HUMS can generate real-time alerts, but data is downloaded for analysis by ground-based systems. Trials of the process for adapting the data-mining system into an in-service device specifically for helicopters will be carried out with Bristow Helicopters, says Smiths.
The CAA says it has completed the consultation process for its proposal to make VHM compulsory in all UK-registered helicopters flying offshore oil-support operations, and all others above 5,700kg (12,550lb) maximum total weight engaged in public transport flying.
DAVID LEARMOUNT / LONDON
Source: Flight International
