New Stability Augmentation System Approved For Robinson R-44

The FAA has granted Supplemental Type Certificate SR09624RC to Cool City Avionics of Mineral Wells, TX,  for its SAS-100 Stability Augmentation System, allowing its installation in Robinson R-44 helicopters. The new Stability Augmentation System (SAS) improves aircraft dynamic stability in response to turbulence upsets while hovering and in flight.

A SAS will typically remove upsets requiring less than 10% cyclic motion and will reduce the amplitude of larger upsets, thus requiring smaller pilot cyclic corrective inputs. A result is easier, and more accurate, hovering in turbulence and a more comfortable ride in cruise with fewer control inputs required by the pilot. The SAS uses roll and pitch actuators in series with the pilot and is transparent in operation. The SAS uses integral solid state gyros for high reliability and typically weighs less that 10 lbs. installed.

The introductory price of the SAS is $17,995, plus installation kit and labor. When the aircraft is later upgraded to a full SCAS/Autopilot system, the majority of the SAS purchase is deducted from the SCAS/Autopilot system price, so very little of the SAS investment is lost in the conversion.

Cool City Avionics has been developing and flight testing its new family of light weight, full function, professional-grade stability augmentation systems and autopilots for helicopters since late 2004. It is now in the final stages of FAA certification of its Automatic Flight Guidance Control System for helicopters. Cool City systems for airplanes are now in development for availability in 2013.

(R44 photo from file)

FMI: www.CoolCityAvionics.com/products/SAS-100/