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Wireless Direction Finding

Plug & Fly

Offering the next level in Search and Rescue flexibility, the Techtest Plug & Fly Wireless DF system was specifically designed for multirole airframes.

The system has no permanent fixtures, allowing aircraft to rapidly be configured to meet the needs of Search and Rescue (SAR). Furthermore, this system is transferable between aircraft, so operators don’t lose SAR capabilities during required maintenance periods.
Reducing capital expenditure and solving aircraft dedication issues this wireless and low weight product has a range of 50 Km and is operational to at least -20oc, making it perfect for military, para-public and civil use, in a broad spectrum of environments.

The ruggedized display tablet is small and carry on, making the whole system effortlessly transferrable. The tablet’s LED display offers a clear picture and is fully touchscreen. The information displayed on the tablet includes the decoded 406 MHz message, GPS coordinates, directional headings and estimated distances to the transmitting beacon or ELT.

The antenna  provides direction finding from 110Mhz to 410MHz focussing on the 3 SAR distress frequencies: 406 MHz, 243 MHz and 121.5 MHz. Installation of the antenna to the airframe is simple, utilising the Meeker Aviation Airfilm Dovetail Mounts. This unique mounting system allows the antenna to be installed or removed in under 5 minutes. The mount also offers the operator flexibility on where to install the antenna on the airframe. Meeker Aviation provide mounting assemblies and STCs for all major platforms. More information can be found at www.meekeraviation.com


GADSS and why we need it

Over the past decade flight safety has attracted continued media attention, with the losses of both Air France flight 447 and MH370, which, despite a lengthy search has never been found.

Many members of the general public wanted to know why we were unable to locate such a huge object; How could an aeroplane simply vanish? Why did it seem so easy for a plane to just crash without trace? Since March 2014, and the unsuccessful search for MH370, a new set of recommendations has been drawn up in order to improve flight safety and tracking capability. GADSS (Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System) suggests that we should be able to track aircraft from normal flight paths, through to abnormal scenarios, then to distress tracking and ultimately, in the worst cases, should facilitate discovery and recovery of casualties and flight data recorders.

500-32 Series: Our latest innovation

Lithium has long been a leading choice for batteries, thanks to its exceptional power and longevity. These properties make it ideal for use in ELT’s and other avionic devices onboard aircraft, both commercial and military. It is, however, unfortunate that Lithium is highly flammable, a huge safety concern when aircraft are so vulnerable to the effects of fire. Lithium batteries are significantly more susceptible to internal failure, including thermal runaway, a continued heating of the battery to the point of ignition. Once ignited these can explode or result in a self-sustaining fire.

CPI Memory Module

Flight data recorders, or black boxes as they are colloquially known, have long been a requirement on both commercial and military aircraft, since 1967 in fact. They enable vital data recovery should an accident occur, and this can be used to establish a cause as well as being used to prevent similar accidents occurring in future.

500-30 Series

You know that one of the worst scenarios your people could be in, is when a plane or helicopter is ditching. Not only is this a terrifying experience for those on board, but it requires that they remain composed under very challenging conditions.

We all hope that the worst will never happen, but inevitably, for some of us, it does; in those instances, being rapidly locatable can be lifesaving. Personal Locator Beacons are certainly nothing new, military personnel have been using them for some years, but development of smaller, better and more robust products is necessary in such a diverse and evolving industry.

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