Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) company Alpine Aerotech has received Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) validation from Transport Canada Civil Aviation for the installation of the Astronautics Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) AFI 4700 RoadRunner on Bell 212 and 412 helicopters.
Alpine Aerotech says similar validations are currently pending from the US Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
The AFI 4700 EFIS is designed to replace and improve older electromechanical Attitude Direction Indicator and Horizon Situation Indicator flight instruments. It offers the possibility to display GPS maps, radar altitude and traffic. The system is also designed for easy installation with minimal wiring and structural rework.
“In addition to its inherent safety improvements, this system offers weight reduction and increased reliability and capability,” said Bert Geofroy, avionics manager at Alpine Aerotech.
Alpine Aerotech previously received FAA STC approval for a full avionics suite upgrade for the Bell 212 in April 2021, which utilized the Garmin G500TXi pilot/co-pilot primary flight display and single GPS/NAV /COMM GTN 750Xi.
