Sikorsky’s new S-76D is the latest application for the Vigor health usage and management system (HUMS) developed by Goodrich’s Sensors and Integrated Systems division. Having been conceived in the 1990s as a safety tool, HUMS technology is now as much about helping operators to fly efficiently and is set to play its part in new-generation navigation systems such as ADS-B out capability, which will be mandatory as part of FAA’s NextGen air traffic management system from 2020.HUMS is mandatory for operators serving the offshore energy industries and across the board by Canadian authorities. While Goodrich does not favor extending the requirement onshore, the company feels the case for voluntary adoption of HUMS is proving increasingly compelling for functions such as maintenance and training.
“What is starting to drive the market in the commercial world are the benefits that the U.S military is getting,” said Marc Brodeur, director of business development. “They are finding that [using HUMS to monitor the actual condition of aircraft] they don’t have to have standby back up aircraft to make flights.”
