Sextant Avionique Exhibits Helo Avionics,
Including New Large Format LCD Display

Big brother is coming to Sextant's MEGHAS integrated digital flight control and display system for helicopters. On display at Booth 125 is the firm's six-by-eight-inch (net screen size) SMD-68 display that functions either as a primary flight display or as a video/Flir/terrain display system. SMD-68 also permits both PFD and video/Flir/terrain to be displayed.

SMD-68 occupies the same area in an instrument panel as two, stacked SMD-45 (four-by-five inch) displays. A typical MEGHAS suite also includes the firm's vehicle and engine management display that integrates the display of airframe systems and engine data. Another display screen can configured as a smart "primary limit indicator," enabling the crew to view the most critical engine parameter when setting maximum power. For example, at low altitude PLI displays torque. At higher altitudes, it displays engine temperature.
MEGHAS development benefits from what Sextant terms "dual technology". In essence, this means that technology developed for the French Director General Armament military programs is transferred to civilian avionics development. Eurocopter has chosen MEGHAS for installation on the EC120, EC135, EC155 Dauphin and AS350Be Ecureiul.

Sextant supplies much of the avionics for a dozen French, Russian and U.S. helicopters.

One of the firm's latest R & D programs is the development of its Automatic Flight Director System 95-1 for FAA certification in the Bell 427.

Dual pilot certification is slated for October 1999 and single pilot certification should be completed by year end. The AFDS 95-1 currently is certified in the Agusta A-109 and it has been selected for installation in the PZL Swidnik Sokol multi-mission helicopter.

By Fred George