Astronautics Corporation of America is scheduled to begin test flying its RoadRunner electronic flight instrument (EFI) on an Agusta -109 by the end of March.
The test flights are part of Astronautics’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) application for a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the RoadRunner EFI on the A-109 platform.
The flight tests will focus on identifying any integration and installation issues prior to FAA STC flight tests. The RoadRunner achieves the ability to be a drop-in replacement for the existing instruments partly due to the wiring harness adapter. Flight tests will allow validation of installation and wiring harness adapter as well as confirmation that all functions are working.
During the STC flight tests, RoadRunner EFI will demonstrate the required capabilities for all phases of flight, including flying multiple procedures — including LPV approaches — to test the proper and safe functioning of the EFI as a primary flight instrument, and its display of other connected functions like GPS mapping and radar.
The RoadRunner EFI is the fastest way to upgrade from existing attitude director and horizontal situational indicator functionality to a modern electronic flight instrument system, enabling enhanced safety features.
“Following decades of being the leading provider of electromechanical attitude director and horizontal situation indicators for a multitude of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, Astronautics has taken the lead in designing an easy and cost-effective retrofit solution,” said Astronautics president Chad Cundiff. “The RoadRunner EFI, with its low downtime for installation and minimal wiring changes, provides immediate value to operators and fleets needing to upgrade from electromechanical instruments or first-generation digital systems.”
The RoadRunner EFI has completed qualification testing and the company is in the process of submitting for FAA technical standard order approval.
A RoadRunner EFI demonstration unit will be featured at Astronautics’ HAI Heli-Expo 2019 stand highlighting the system’s easy installation and superior viewability.
To learn more about Astronautics’ RoadRunner EFI and its capabilities, visit Astronautics during the HAI Heli-Expo on stand C2028, and on the StandardAero stand B1429, as part of its SafeCraft system.
