Reference for Maxcraft Avionics Ltd

Helijet International operates a fleet of Sikorsky S76 helicopters based at Vancouver International Airport. The S76A helicopters are used in a scheduled airline service between Vancouver and Victoria, and are seasonally used to support the Haida Gwaii and North Coastal sports fishery. We have three S76C+ helicopters that operate as dedicated air ambulances on long term contract for the BC provincial government.

In 2011 Maxcraft Avionics was contracted to retrofit three corporately configured S76C+ helicopters for air ambulance operations. This project included extensive avionics system upgrades along with associated structural modifications. Maxcraft successfully managed the project including coordination with paint, mechanical,and interior contractors. This fleet upgrade had a very short time-frame and the job was completed successfully and on time. We have also contracted Maxcraft Avionics to design and install IFR GPS systems in our fleet of S76A aircraft

We would recommend Maxcraft to other operators considering a major avionics upgrade project.

Regards,
Morris Forchuck
Director of Maintenance
Helijet International Inc.

The GDL 84 provides a complete ADS-B solution for aircraft owners that do not have a WAAS GPS installed  but are looking to satisfy the FAA’s January 2020 mandate and do not want to significantly modify the panel of their aircraft.

Finally iPad/iPhone connections to your avionics! Maxcraft performed the first Garmin Connext installation with our customer Dave Qualley. Read on for his comments:

When Garmin first announced their Flight Stream product back in August I was immediately interested.  It finally began shipping last week, and I was excited to take the leap and be the first to install this promising looking device in my C182.  I’m in the midst of training for my IFR rating, and I can really see the value in having more information displayed at my fingertips while in flight.

The ability to check the weather for my route, then upload my route from the iPad into the Garmin 530W is a real time saver.  So far I’ve only had time to make one flight with the Flight Stream installed.  I found the data displayed on the iPad matched up perfectly with the same data that was displayed on my Aspen PFD.  I’m a diehard Foreflight user, so the switch to the Garmin Pilot app is a big change for me.  I find the two apps are very similar in their capabilities so far, and it’s just going to be a matter of using the Garmin app for a while to become more proficient with it.  So far there are two features that have really impressed me.  The synthetic vision is absolutely stunning to look at, and the accuracy of the terrain and runway locations is right on with what I see out the window.  The synthetic vision will certainly provide enhanced situational awareness during IFR approaches.  The Flight Stream also enables me to flight plan Victor airways and upload them to the Garmin 530.  The ability to enter airways wasn’t possible on the Garmin 530 until now.  I look forward to flying with the Flight Stream and Garmin Pilot in the near future.

Check out our blog for more updates and inflight videos. Also, here’s technical paper we wrote after the product announcement.

In the Hangar:  Cessna 152 Trainer

Air to Ground Internet Data Connection

Many corporate aircraft operators have at least considered adding internet capability with WiFi to their fleet. WiFi technology can easily be used to establish a local on-board network but internet connectivity requires an external connection to the world’s ground based infrastructure. In a previous article we discussed the pros and cons of various satellite connectivity solutions. In short, the Iridium satellite network is relatively inexpensive but offers extremely poor bandwidth and the SwiftBroadband satellite services offer significantly better bandwidth (up to 432 kbps) but the costs are higher.

Gogo Business Aviation can provide an air-to-ground connectivity solution with true broadband capability (up to 3.1 Mbps) for business aircraft operating above 10,000 feet over the U.S., portions of Alaska and southern Canada.

Their proprietary aviation network utilizes more than two hundred cellular ground stations to provide a variety of voice and data services.  This system is now installed on over two thousand commercial and six thousand business aircraft.  With an estimated cost of $90,000 to $125,000 installed, the system is considered to be a good value solution.

From in-flight Internet to email, voice, texting, entertainment, cockpit data, and safety services, Gogo Business Aviation has a complete suite of solutions – for virtually any business aircraft, flying anywhere on Earth. We offer everything you need to ensure that everyone can stay in touch, in flight: from singular, standalone systems to integrated, multi-network solutions.