SPAES receives STC for Airbus BK117 search and landing light


Together with helicopter operator Heli Service International, SPAES GmbH & Co. KG has received a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) supplemental type certificate (STC) for the installation of an additional search and landing light, the Nightscanner, for the Airbus BK117 helicopter.

The Nightscanner search and landing light provides optimal illumination of outdoor areas during nighttime operations. SPAES Photo

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The Nightscanner is an integrated search and landing light, which is installed in the lower fuselage of the helicopter and can be swiveled vertically or rotated horizontally in a range of 360 degrees by the pilot. As a result, optimal illumination of the outdoor area is possible during night operations.

Operation of the headlamp is done with the pre-installed controls on the pitch in the cockpit. An additional switch for selecting the new or the pre-installed headlamp has been installed in the overhead panel.

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For the installation of the composite hood, the lower fairing has been modified and adapted to the new shape. For this purpose, different antennas had to be relocated.

The functional test of the Nightscanner was carried out by technicians on site with a subsequent test flight under night flight conditions.

Nightscanner search and landing lights are now installed in three helicopters that are being used on the research vessel, “Polarstern.” The vessel is to carry out research projects on climate change in the coming months at the North Pole.

The STC is available for the BK117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2 and C-1.

  
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