AVIONICS The Cool City Electronics staff has a high level of
understanding of the FAA certifi cation process that comes from conducting a multitude of TSO qualifi cations, and more than 3,000 STC approvals for automatic fl ight guidance and control systems (AFGCS). Some of our personnel have served as FAA engineering branch managers, FAA designated engineering representatives (DERs), designated manufacturing inspection representatives (DMIRs), designated alteration station (DAS) department managers and staff coordinators. The company created an FAA-approved quality control and management system to ensure the manufacture of high-quality products.
Each department at Cool City Electronics is represented
by individuals who have served in leadership positions in previous aviation companies, with many having held leadership positions specifi cally in the autopilot industry. From this combined experience comes a new line of
products that take full advantage of today’s technology in circuit components, sensors and drive systems, to fulfi ll all of the fl ight control requirements of small- and medium- sized helicopters, while also providing new functions and signifi cantly lowering system costs for some large helicopters.
Industry Impact Owners, operators and pilots of small and medium-sized helicopters can enjoy the many benefi ts off ered by stability augmentation systems and automatic fl ight guidance control systems that for decades have been available on larger helicopters and fi xed-wing aircraft. Cool City Avionics’ stability augmentation systems and autopilot products are lightweight, high performance, professional-grade systems that improve the safety, stability and functionality of small and medium-sized helicopters, while giving the pilot more time to manage the cockpit workload effi ciently. Let’s focus on Cool City Avionics’ new stability augmentation system (SAS), stability control augmentation system (SCAS) and autopilot. I had the pleasure to interview Jim Irwin, Cool City Avionics’ president and CEO. Helicopter Maintenance – What are the system names and what are the system functions? Irwin – The RW (rotary wing) systems are in two
categories, i.e., autopilot-only systems identifi ed as HAP- 100 and HAP-150. HAP stands for helicopter autopilot with 100 being a two-axis system and 150 being a three-axis system. Autopilots with SCAS are identifi ed as HFC-100 and HFC-150 systems. HFC indicates helicopter fl ight control, including SCAS, while the 100/150 designation still indicates the autopilot axes of control. All SAS/SCAS systems are generally two-axis, although three-axis SCAS can be provided in special cases.
Helicopter Maintenance – What size helicopter are the systems designed for? Irwin – The systems were designed for helicopters that include both piston-powered and turbine-powered aircraft. One of our in-process STCs is for the Sikorsky S-61 model at 20K pounds gross vehicle weight, so we will cover small,
medium and large helicopters. We have an ambitious STC plan for implementation after the initial approval on the Robinson R44, which will include the R66, American Eurocopter models, Bell models, MD models and others, including Enstrom.
The system can operate aircraft with mechanical control systems without hydraulic boost. It will take a while to accomplish the certifi cations planned. The order of STCs often depends, in the end, upon available aircraft and the demand for specifi c models from the fi eld. As a result, it is helpful for those interested to call us and ask about plans for their model helicopter.
Helicopter Maintenance – For what Part FAR are the systems designed? Irwin – At the technical standing order (TSO) level, the systems have been qualifi ed for FAR Part 27 and 29. STC projects are in process for both normal and transport categories, including instrument fl ight rules (IFR). Helicopter Maintenance – Are the systems designed to be single or dual?
HAP-150 Autopilot System
HFC-150 Helicopter Flight Control System
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HelicopterMaintenanceMagazine.com February | March 2014
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