New Chelton Flight Systems ADAHRS Certified

The FAA granted Chelton Flight Systems a TSO (technical standard order) and STC (supplemental type certificate) for a digital air data and solid-state attitude/heading reference system.

The new ADAHRS (air data and attitude/heading reference system), which is 1/10th the size and 1/8th the weight of the two devices it replaces, is designed for both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.  The initial STC covers over 500 aircraft models and more are in the certification process, Chelton says.

The air data and attitude functions are physically separated inside the strap-down unit by a firewall and do not depend on one another for operation.  Dual redundant power inputs and internal busses provide power to both the air data computer and attitude gyro, leaving no single point of electrical failure.

According to Chelton, its ADAHRS is the only product in its price range to feature the robustness of Level-A software in an all digital, solid-state system utilizing MEMS (micro-electro mechanical systems) in place of older-technology mechanical gyros.  Its MTBF (mean time between failure) is projected to be over 13,000 hours.

The unit will form the core sensor suite for Chelton's EFIS (electronic flight instrument system) and HeliSAS helicopter autopilot and stability augmentation system.  07-31-2007.

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