Expert Opinion
Heli-Expo 2011: Flying the Bell 407GX
As we zip over I-4 at 500 feet agl, Bell Helicopter test pilot Randall Parent discusses the helicopter terrain alerting and warning system (HTaws) and heli

As we zip over I-4 at 500 feet agl, Bell Helicopter test pilot Randall Parent discusses the helicopter terrain alerting and warning system (HTaws) and helicopter traffic collision avoidance systems (HTcas), which are part of the new Garmin G1000H panel inside the Bell 407GX. “For a helicopter pilot, these are the kinds of things that are going to keep you alive,” Parent tells me. Both the HTaws and HTcas are optimized for helicopter operations, with lower detection levels starting at about 200 feet agl. They can be set to five different levels of sensitivity.

You can also use the G1000H to order a pizza. Parent pushes a button on the multi-function display and up pops the AOPA directory for the Kissimmee airport, including restaurants. With the built-in Iridium phone system we can call ahead so it is ready when we land.

Mark Huber
Contributor
About the author

Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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