Primus EPIC Makes First Flight on AB 139

When Bell-Agusta's AB 139 made its first flight on February 3, 2001, Honeywell's Primus Epic integrated avionics system made its first flight on a production configuration aircraft too.

"This is the first time a major [civil] avionics system has made its first flight on a helicopter," Honeywell business, regional and general aviation avionics VP John Uczekaj told Show News. The Primus Epic system "performed flawlessly" during the 45 minute flight, officials of both companies said.

"There are unique challenges on board helicopters because of vibration," Uczekaj said. "Avionics systems have to be tougher." Primus Epic is not only physically tough, but is smaller, weighs less, and consumes less power than older avionics systems, Honeywell officials say. It features large format, flat-panel displays, a point-and-click, graphic user interface, and plenty of growth potential. The AB139's Primus Epic system, for example, can be configured for VFR, three- or four-axis autopilot IFR or SAR. The standard system includes left- and right-side primary flight display and a centrally mounted engine instrument display. A fourth flat-panel screen can be added to accommodate special missions or SAR functions.

AB139's Primus Epic system is designed for growth and flexibility, Uczekaj said. Behind the passenger cabin are two modular avionics units, each occupying less than two cubic feet. Each MAU has nine circuit board slots. Honeywell's Mk XXI and Mk XXII Enhanced GPWS systems will be repackaged to reside on boards inside the MAUs.

External avionics boxes, even those manufactured by other avionics firms, easily can be accommodated. Honeywell has designed Epic with a "really open-systems" architecture, according to Uzcekaj. Honeywell's new Digital Engine Operating System, an avionics grade computer operating system was designed from the beginning to accommodate changes. Input/Output addresses can be altered, added or deleted as necessary to adapt to avionics hardware upgrades.

"You don't have to re-certify the system to make changes," Uczekaj said. "This is a major, major step forward compared to old avionics systems that required re-certification every time you want to add a new box."

AB139's Primus Epic system features dual air data modules, LITEF LCR93 solid-state attitude/heading reference boxes, Primus II comm/nav/ident radios and an integrated engine instrument display system linked to the aircraft's PWC PT6C-67C engines. It's provisioned for a basic Health Usage Monitoring System. Supplemental sensors can be added for transmission temperature and blade tracking monitoring. Options include Honeywell Primus 660 and 700 weather radars, an LSZ-860 lightning sensor system, and single or dual NZ-2000 flight management systems with GPS receivers.

By Fred George