Gama Aviation Plc, the global aviation services company, has announced the award of an EASA STC for installation of the Garmin G500H EFIS into the Bell 206B helicopter.

The G500H system is certified for Day/Night VFR operations and brings substantial improvements in situational awareness with a large multi-function colour moving map, H.S.I, full-time wind vector and many additional features.

The required G500H GPS source is provided by Garmin’s GTN750 or 650 touch-screen GPS navigator with integral 8.33 KHz Comm and VOR/ILS receiver. When using the GTN750, optional HTAWS and integrated audio panel and Mode S transponder are also available.

The G500H EFIS is the ideal complement to the Cobham HeliSaS 2-axis autopilot which is also EASA certified on the B206B. The HeliSaS features automatic recovery to near-level flight if inadvertently flown to an extreme attitude, plus has Heading, Nav (lateral and vertical), GPS steering and Altitude Hold modes.

Gama Aviation has produced additional EASA minor changes on the B206B for the Garmin GTS800 traffic advisory system and FreeFlight TRA4000 radio altimeter to interface to the G500H EFIS.

Steve Wright, Director, Gama Aviation Plc comments: “We have had a long-standing avionics capability within in our Part 21 J and 145 operation at Fairoaks as we aim to build a rotary centre of excellence for the Group. This new STC, and our talented design and maintenance team perfectly complement our training and hangarage services.”

Gama Aviation’s design team are responsible for a wide range of STC’s across both fixed wing and rotary types. Using the integrated Part 21G production facility, the team also produces infant safety seats for Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific and Qatar Executive. The seats are at the forefront of protecting infants from the crushing effect exerted by the parent on the child during extreme breaking or collisions during taxi. Additionally, the team holds the UK MoD’s much coveted Design Approved Organisation Scheme (DAOS) and is currently involved in upgrading avionics within existing fixed wing and rotary platforms.