The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for installation of the Honeywell VXP Health & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) on EC-145 model helicopters to Diagnostic Solutions International, LLC (DSI). The STC also provides for integration of the Honeywell Sky Connect Tracker III to the VXP HUMS to provide real time exceedance alerts.
“The first VXP installed EC-145 aircraft is operating in the Gulf of Mexico where a HUMS system is vital to the safety of these aircraft that carry passengers across the ocean,” said Brian Hatcher, Managing Director for DSI. “The HUMS will help operators to keep their EC-145 in operation by enabling improved maintenance planning and reduced downtime for their fleet.”
Honeywell’s VXP solutions are sensor-based monitoring systems that continuously monitor aircraft vibration data at numerous points throughout the drive train, determine component health and pinpoint anomalies before they become catastrophic failures. Honeywell HUMS solutions provide helicopter operators with actionable information that enables them to anticipate mechanical failures, make anticipatory maintenance decisions and act when maintenance is necessary.
“Honeywell is extremely proud of the VXP track record as one of the most field proven vibration products available. With the help of great partners, like DSI, we’re now able to expand the reach of VXP and help enhance safety and reduce maintenance for a new family of aircraft.” said Charles DiSano, Condition Based Maintenance Director for Honeywell.
The benefits of VXP are not limited to the product itself. “Web based data analysis services are also available to support hosting on a secured server, customization of threshold limits for your specific mission, and full engineering data analysis and trending to obtain the full benefits that this powerful system has to offer,” said Hatcher. “This STC continues the tradition of over 500 VXP onboard systems that have been installed in aircraft such as the Airbus EC-135 and AS332, AgustaWestland AW109/AW119/AW139, Bell 407/412/427 and Sikorsky S76 helicopters.”