PDS Receives EASA Cert. for AS355

Safe Flight Instrument Corporation’s Powerline Detection System (PDS) has completed European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) STC certification requirements on the Eurocopter AS355 through Trans Helicopter Service (THS) of Paris, France.

Final flight tests have been completed by the French DGAC/DCS which has authorized the operation of the AS355F2 equipped with Safe Flight’s Powerline Detection System.

The Powerline Detection System will be marketed and distributed in Europe through Trans Helicopter Services following the official issuance of the STC expected later this month. THS is in discussions with two major European insurance companies to obtain discounted aircraft insurance for helicopters with PDS installed.

Safe Flight’s PDS is currently being distributed in the United States, Scandinavia, South Africa, and Brazil. The system is FAA STC’d on the Bell 206 series with additional installations on the Eurocopter 120, Eurocopter 135, AS350B and AS355 through field service approvals.

In the delivery of electricity, powerlines create a radiating electromagnetic field. Safe Flight’s Powerline Detection System is designed to sense this field from any direction and warn pilots once a helicopter is in the vicinity of a live wire. When an electromagnetic field is sensed, the Powerline Detection System emits an unmistakable auditory alert. Pilots literally “hear” their relationship to a powerline hazard, even without seeing it. The audio warning increases in frequency (like a Geiger counter) as the helicopter gets closer to a live powerline. A red warning light also illuminates on the cockpit indicator. The Powerline Detection System may be a significant, and potentially life saving advantage when the pilot has not seen the powerline.

While the Powerline Detection System provides a unique warning against live wire hazards, it does not warn against all powerlines and will not alert pilots of some strike hazards that emit electromagnetic fields.