Powerline Detection System Installed on Enstrom 480 Helicopter

The Enstrom 480Bs flight control systems. (photo : Enstrom)

Safe Flight Instrument has begun delivery of its Powerline Detection System (PDS) to Enstrom for installation on three Enstrom 480B model helicopters scheduled to be supplied to the Royal Thai Army in the first quarter of 2011.

The addition of Safe Flights Powerline Detection System was a key component in the contract award to provide the Royal Thai Army with 16 Enstrom 480B model helicopters. These 16 light turbine helicopters will be used primarily for training purposes and will be based at the armys aviation centre in Lopburi province in central Thailand.

The Powerline Detection System will be offered to all other Enstrom 480 operators as a production option or can be installed as an in-service retrofit.

Safe Flights Powerline Detection System has been FAA and EASA certified and is currently being operated world wide. PDS is an extremely lightweight and passive system that alerts the aircraft pilot and crew when approaching an energized power line in a heads up attitude. The system provides a visual and aural warning to the crew.

As the aircraft approaches the danger the aural warning intensifies allowing the pilot to avoid contact with the hazard altogether.

A multi-role light turbine helicopter, the Enstrom 480 series has now been certified in 16 countries and has already been operated in 31 countries. With over 130 aircraft in the field now, the 480B is proving to be a popular choice for a wide range of applications, including personal transport, flight instruction, law enforcement, power line patrol, executive transport (charter), electronic news gathering, pipeline patrol, aerial photography, sightseeing, and cargo/passenger delivery.

(Shephard)