Honeywell Delivers First Sentinel Navigation System To Sterling Aviation For Eurocopter BK-117

HOUSTON.– Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today the delivery of the first Sentinel Navigation aircraft system to helicopter service company Sterling Aviation, for use on the company’s Eurocopter BK117.

“Sentinel is Honeywell’s new, cost effective multi-function display and navigation system for helicopters that serves the critical needs of emergency medical, executive and utility helicopter service providers,” said Mel White FRAeS, Director of Honeywell’s U.K.-based Mission Systems business. “The system enhances situational awareness and safety and is part of Honeywell’s Integrated Safety Solutions program that offers navigation technologies from our Integrated Hazard Awareness System (IHAS) system.”

Gerry Hermer, AFC MRAeS, Managing Director at Sterling Aviation, said, “Prior to Sentinel, there were no navigation systems available that could provide a cost effective solution to the specific requirements of HEMS helicopter operations in the U.K. We have worked closely with Honeywell to achieve the first installation. The initial feedback from the operational crews is very encouraging. And, we are also working with Honeywell on defining enhancements that will further improve the capabilities of the Sentinel.”

Sentinel provides mapping, relative terrain and traffic information, plus checklists. Planned feature growth includes Plates, XM Weather, SATCOM, vertical profiles and user configurable databases.

The system today offers up to 24GB of on-board data storage, which allows the Sentinel Navigator to provide navigational mapping to high resolution over an entire country.

Sentinel is available in several configurations, including NVG options – all of which are ETSO certified. It can operate as a stand-alone panel mounted MFD/Navigator, remote processor or as an integrated element of the Observer MKIII Mission System.

The Observer MKIII is an integrated navigation, command and control system which interfaces to multiple on board displays and sensors including cameras, direction finding (DF) equipment, AIS shipping transponders, SATCOM and flight management systems.

Honeywell navigation systems offer flight crews greater situational awareness, which can enhance flight safety.

U.K.-based Sterling Aviation operates the East Anglian Air Ambulance service. The Eurocopter BK 117 is a multi-mission, medium-weight class, twin-engine civil helicopter.