Astronics Enhanced Vision Systems Receives Approval from the U.S. and Canada for Airbus Helicopters AS350s

The Max-Viz 1400 (in white) installed on AS350 Écureuil.

EAST AURORA, NY, October 14, 2020 – Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO), a leading provider of advanced technologies for the global aerospace, defense and other mission critical industries, announced today that the Unites States and Canada approved Astronics’ Max-Viz 1400 and 1200 Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for Airbus Helicopter’s AS350 Écureuil.

In cooperation with AVIO dg in Calgary, Canada, Astronics obtained the Supplemental Type Certificates for its Max‑Viz 1400 and 1200 EVS from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) for approved models which are the Airbus Écureuil AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, and AS350BD.

“Our EVS is perfectly suited for aerial firefighting, heli-skiing, search and rescue, and utility operations. The Astronics Max-Viz technology provides pilots with an unprecedented level of situational awareness and safety,” stated Tom Geiger, Max-Viz Business Unit Director for Astronics.

“We worked closely with AVIO dg to get this terrific technology approved for daily missions on AS350s.” he added.

Astronics’ Max-Viz 1200 and 1400 systems are lightweight, solid-state, low power, and feature an uncooled thermal camera. The sensor image displays on any cockpit equipment that accepts NTSC or PAL/Analog RS-170 video signals, including MFDs (Multi-Function Displays), PFDs (Primary Flight Displays) or on standalone displays depending on aircraft configurations.

Astronics’ Max-Viz EVS provides improved safety through enhanced vision, enabling pilots to see more precisely in adverse weather conditions, such as haze, smoke, smog, and light fog, even on the darkest night. In addition, pilots can detect and avoid clouds for a smoother ride. While landing, pilots using the Max-Viz EVS can identify the runway and view the terrain clearly to avoid wildlife and unlit obstructions.

The Airbus Helicopter AS350 with the Max-Viz 1400 allows pilots to see more precisely in adverse conditions. EVS is imaging through smoke to see obscure terrain and fire on the Devils Head Wildfire north of Canmore, Canada recently.

The FAA permits properly equipped aircraft to fly certain Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) approaches to landing, in lieu of natural vision. Of the over 3,500 installed Astronics Max-Vis EVS systems, approximately 60 percent are on fixed-wing general aviation aircraft and 40 percent are operating on rotor wing aircraft.

With Supplemental and Type Certificates in both aircraft types, Astronics offers products built on more than 15 years of success in enhanced vision systems. To view the EVS offerings in detail, visit Astronics.com.

About Astronics Corporation

Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO) serves the world’s aerospace, defense, and other mission critical industries with proven, innovative technology solutions.  Astronics works side-by-side with customers, integrating its array of power, connectivity, lighting, structures, interiors, and test technologies to solve complex challenges.  For over 50 years, Astronics has delivered creative, customer-focused solutions with exceptional responsiveness.  Today, global airframe manufacturers, airlines, militaries, completion centers and Fortune 500 companies rely on the collaborative spirit and innovation of Astronics.  For more information on Astronics and its solutions, visit Astronics.com

About AVIO dg

AVIO dg offers avionics system design, product design, electrical and structural design and substantiations, development and testing, aircraft livery design and drawings, aero medical HEMS, certification for human factors and ergonomic evaluations, advanced 3d printing/part creation, NVIS lighting designs, and repair designs.  AVIO dg will serve as the point of contact for obtaining new installations of the Astronics Max-Viz 1400 with this STC and can be reached at www.avio-dg.com

Company Contact:
Astronics PECO, Inc.
Tom Geiger
Max-Viz Business Unit Director
Tom.geiger@astronics.com
+1.503.387.6062

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