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Bell Certifies New Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring Device


Bell Textron, Inc., recently announced the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the Installation of QuantiFLYTM, a new aircraft communication unit (ACU) powered by Truth Data, offering a true low-cost, lightweight, and fully automatic flight data monitoring (FDM) solution currently available for the Bell 407GXi and Bell 429. Bell developed QuantiFLYTM with Appareo and FDM analytics to enable operators to affordably use the data from QuantiFLYTM to be actionable and drive safety.


“As innovators, Bell is continuously exploring advanced


solutions to provide customers with smart helicopter technology to enhance their flight experience,” said Michael Thacker, executive vice president, Innovation and Commercial Business. “The introduction of Bell’s QuantiFLYTM will offer greater visibility into flight operations while integrating seamlessly with Bell’s current connected fleet offerings for our commercial aircraft.”


Bell selected Appareo Systems for connectivity hardware based on its proven track record for both worldwide cellular telematics and aircraft data monitoring. The device utilizes cellular (4G LTE / 3G GSM) on-the-ground data transmission to offboard aircraft flight parameter and maintenance data via cloud for processing and analytics. Bell worked with Microsoft to build


BY THE NUMBERS $2,223,729,327


The total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales for 2020. General avionics industry sales declined 28.1% in 2020 compared to 2019. However, since COVID-19 began to negatively impact industry-wide sales near the end of Q1, 2020, the industry experienced healthy sales growth during the last six months of the year, according to the AEA.


36 Jan/Feb 2021


on its Azure cloud infrastructure to route data securely around the world. The data is then uploaded to Bell’s MissionLinkTM, an innovative off- board data platform that delivers intuitive analysis to customers.


Bell collaborated with Truth Data, a proven leader in rotorcraft flight data monitoring, to provide a scalable flight data analysis platform and benchmarking capabilities to better identify safety issues and reduce operator risks. Coupled with QuantiFLYTM, this provides a completely automatic FDM service. Network regulatory and certifications include Verizon Network, Vodafone, CE, IC, FCC, RCM.


QuantiFLYTM is offered as an aftermarket kit forward or retrofittable for legacy and new aircraft, analog and digital through Aeronautical Accessories. QuantiFLYTM Equipment Features: •


Dual-core ARM cortex A9 processors


• 512 MB DDR3L RAM • 32 GB eMMC standard storage • LTE CAT 4 cellular radio with 3G/2G fallback •


Bidirectional communication


• 100BASE-TX 10/100 ethernet •


Discrete I/O


• RS-422 • ARINC 429 RX (up to 10 Hz) • Inertial measurement unit & GPS • Secure boot • Low-power mode • Ultra-Low power sleep mode • Weights less than two pounds


$478,600,000


The firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract for Sikorsky to deliver a final lot of five VH-92A presidential helicopters. These five aircraft are part of the 23 aircraft program of record for the U.S. Marine Corps.


263


The number of times the TV show M*A*S*H filmed its 1951-built Bell 47 (both flying and


as a ground prop) during the decade- long run of the hit CBS series. After its film duty, the helicopter moved on to agricultural flying that included counting cattle.


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