Page 9 - MRO Business Today 15th April 2023 Latest Issue

TRAINING

The Bell 407GXi autopilot system is available in two and
three-axis configurations.

Bell receives United Kingdom CAA approval for

Autopilot System on 407GXi helicopter

The CAA certification allows Bell to offer the system in the UK, providing decreased pilot workload and
assistance in the event of IIMC, increasing pilot comfort, and ease over long distances.

ell Textron Inc. has announced that the Bell 407GXi ease over long distances,” he further added
B3-axis autopilot has received certification from the Furthermore, the system offers stability engagement
United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This certifi- throughout all phases of flight and envelope protection to
cation allows the company to offer the system to its cus- prevent over-speeding and under-speeding. Owners can
tomers in the UK, providing decreased pilot workload and specify the autopilot system on the new Bell 407GXis or have
assistance in the event of inadvertent Instrument Meteoro- the system retrofitted.
logical Conditions (IIMC), ultimately increasing pilot comfort The Bell 407GXi, with its autopilot, advanced Garmin avi-
and ease over long distances. onics, and dual-channel FADEC-controlled engine, contin-
The Bell 407GXi autopilot system is available in two and ues to set high standards for single-engine aircraft with its
three-axis configurations. The two-axis version includes pitch advanced technical features. With 1,500 Bell 407s operating
control (altitude hold, IAS hold) and roll control (HDG hold, across all six continents totaling more than six million flight
NAV, vertical navigation mode), while the three-axis option hours, the company has a proven track record of reliability
adds yaw control. In addition, the system is equipped with a and innovation.
stability augmentation system to automatically recover the In conclusion, the certification of the Bell 407GXi 3-axis
aircraft to near-level flight attitude at all speeds in the event autopilot by the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Author-
of an adverse roll or pitch. ity marks a significant milestone for Bell Textron Inc. and
“We are thrilled to offer the Bell 3-axis autopilot for the its customers. The system’s advanced features provide
Bell 407GXi to our customers in the UK,” said Patrick Moulay, increased safety, comfort, and ease of use, setting a new
Senior Vice President of International Sales at Bell Textron standard for single-engine aircraft. Bell Textron Inc. contin-
Inc. “The system allows for decreased pilot workload and ues to innovate and set the bar higher for aviation technol-
assistance in the event of inadvertent Instrument Meteoro- ogy, delivering reliable and advanced solutions to meet the
logical Conditions (IIMC), overall increasing pilot comfort and needs of its customers

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