Sandel and FreeFlight Systems Collaborate on New HTAWS Systems

FreeFlight Systems and Sandel Avionics today announce a joint collaboration on the integration of Sandel’s ST3400H Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) with FreeFlight Systems’ high performance RA-4000 series of radar altimeters, including the new RA-4500 with the ARINC 429 interface.  

Sandel’s new ST3400H is a self contained TSO-C194 certified HTAWS using proprietary 3-ATI high brightness/high resolution display technology with LED backlight.  The ST3400H, in combination with one of FreeFlight Systems’ TSO-C87 certified radar altimeters (RA-4000 or RA-4500), will allow HTAWS alerting capability while providing the pilot with a continuous display  of ultra high resolution terrain, obstacles, traffic, and height above ground.  \

Owners of pre-existing radar altimeter indicators are now able to enhance aircraft safety by replacing their display with this new ST3400H HTAWS - Radar Altimeter System.   

“Our collaboration with Free Flight Systems will provide significant safety benefits to the helicopter community,” comments Gerry Block, president and CEO, Sandel Avionics.

“Our joint purpose is to ensure that our products work together as a package that will allow the highest performance, fastest installation, and lowest installed cost upgrade path for those desiring the safety improvement of HTAWS.  When installed with the FreeFlight Systems RA-4000 or RA-4500, the ST3400H will provide, what are commonly known as 'Class-A' alerting features such as audible altitude callouts, in addition to basic TAWS alerting."

“When FreeFlight Systems and Sandel decided to collaborate on integrating our RA-4000 and RA-4500 Radar Altimeters with their new ST3400H HTAWS, enhanced pilot safety and operational success were at the forefront of our thinking,” stated Tim Taylor, president and CEO, FreeFlight Systems.  

“On the practical side, with space at a premium, our collective design focused on size and weight and ease of operations.  In this manner, the installation is quick, and training requirements are minimal so the pilot can take advantage of these critical safety features immediately.” 

An option for on‑demand Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) compatibility is also available.   Delivery of the new system is planned for the third quarter, 2009.