Avionics
Sequoia Helicopters Picks Skytrac HDMS for Bell 212 Fleet
Sequoia is staying ahead of the deadline for data monitoring on helicopter air ambulance flights.

About two years ago the FAA made final a long-anticipated rule affecting helicopter air ambulance (HAA) operators in the U.S. The rule requires HAA flights with medical personnel onboard to operate under Part 135 rules. HAA flights operating under Part 135 must meet a number of enhanced operational requirements and equipment parameters, including the use of radar altimeters, terrain awareness systems and flight data monitoring systems.

The final FAA rule reads: “After April 23, 2018, no person may operate a helicopter in air ambulance operations unless it is equipped with an approved Flight Data Monitoring System (FDMS) capable of recording flight performance data.” Why FDMS? Rulemakers realized that HAA operations could benefit from the ability to provide critical information to investigators in the event of an accident.