AVIONICS Helicopter Maintenance – Are there system options? Cutaway View of the DFGC and Internal Sensor Package
Helicopter Maintenance – What digital buses are used? Irwin – The system has seven ARINC 429 input ports and one output port, plus a controller area network (CAN) bus output port for service diagnostics or external data recording. The system also has an independent 48-channel integral data logger function.
Helicopter Maintenance – How many LRUs are in the system? Irwin – It depends upon the number of axes controlled. The HAP-100 AP has four LRUs total. The HAP-150 adds yaw damping internally and a servo, total fi ve LRUs. The HFC-100 and 150 add internal electronics and two SAS/ SCAS actuators for a total of six and seven LRUs, respectively. Helicopter Maintenance – Does the system employ
built-in-test (BIT?) Irwin – Yes, the system employs a comprehensive power- up self test (POST) at every power–up event. The self-test requires several seconds and tests communications between units and functional checks, as well as all critical system monitors, both analog and digital. A portion of the test is conducted during system initialization and completed during the fi rst aircraft taxi/hover movement, which allows additional dynamic sensor checks to be conducted. The POST test must be passed 100 percent before AP operation is allowed. In addition to the POST test, there are continuous BIT tests conducted during operation, which also include the monitors. During operation, failures detected and annunciated allow continued system operation for any function that is not aff ected by the failure, until the fi rst system power-down.
How about sensor options? Irwin – First, the systems can be converted from basic systems to a higher level by adding the SAS and yaw damper functions which convert the systems to the new higher level model designation. All systems are standard with full radio coupling for navigation, including GPS-V (or +V) when wide area augmentation system (WAAS) GPS is available. Field conversions to upgrade to three-axis or SCAS could be considered options, but result in a changed model designation. Second, we have an optional “orbit” mode for use by those that conduct circular orbits, like law enforcement, electronic news gathering, etc. The option adds switch hardware and operating software. This option requires a three-axis AP system and a heading card synchro heading input (HSI) or air data attitude heading reference system (ADHRS) heading input, and a GPS navigator capable of outputting position references, such as a GNS-430 or equivalent. The system accepts analog or digital sensor signals from heading/HSI systems, attitude gyros and digital signals from air data systems. Helicopter Maintenance – Any special equipment
required for fi eld maintenance/troubleshooting procedures? Irwin – Dealers will be required to have a servo/actuator
test box to assure proper actuator centering during aircraft rigging checks after the initial installation. A laptop computer will be required for operation of the diagnostics program disc for service diagnostics. The dealer will need a National Instruments USB 8472 CAN bus adapter for the diagnostic port interface. Service diagnostics can be conducted over the internet, direct to the factory from the aircraft being serviced, in real time.
Helicopter Maintenance – Who would typically do an installation? Irwin – All installations will be conducted by Cool City
Avionics’ authorized dealers. Helicopter Maintenance – Who will own the STC? Irwin – All STCs are conducted and owned by Cool
City Avionics. Installation data will be furnished with each installation kit.
Helicopter Maintenance – On average, how long should an installation take?
Autopilot Roll Servo for Robinson R44 20
HelicopterMaintenanceMagazine.com February | March 2014
DFGC and Rack for Robinson R44
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