Bell names Garmin as avionics provider for its new SLS helicopter

Bell Helicopter has selected the Garmin G1000 as the integrated avionics suite for its new short light single (SLS) aircraft . The all-glass avionics system digitally presents critical flight information to the pilot via high-resolution LCD displays and reduces overall pilot workload.
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“Our customers are demanding the state-of-the-art Garmin G1000H, and we are excited to bring the system’s proven capabilities to our new SLS helicopter,” said Danny Maldonado, Bell Helicopter's executive vice president of commercial sales and marketing. “When we first began development of the new aircraft, we wanted to improve situational awareness for pilots with an advanced glass cockpit that would be the first of its kind in the short light single class. After considering both our own experience and customer feedback, we believe Garmin’s is the perfect solution to deliver on this promise.”
The Garmin G1000H, introduced on the Bell 407GX, provides critical flight information, including flight instrumentation, navigation, communication, weather, terrain, traffic, identification, and diagnostics and maintenance data, at a glance for greater situational awareness and increased margins of safety. The fully-integrated glass flight deck includes high resolution LCD screens, hosting primary flight display and multi-function display information, as well as an integrated avionics system with helicopter terrain avoidance warning system, helicopter synthetic vision technology, traffic information systems and more.
Bell Helicopter's new short light single engine helicopter will feature a high visibility cockpit and a fully flat, 22 square foot cabin floor with five forward-facing seats. It is designed to meet performance targets recommended by the customer advisory council, including a speed of 125 knots (232 km), a range of 360 to 420 nautical miles (667 km) and a useful load of 1,500 pounds (608 kg). It also includes a baggage compartment volume of 18 ft3.
The new aircraft will be powered by the Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine, which will offer the benchmark for performance and power in the 450-550 shp class, while improving safety and lowering pilot workload with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). It will also meet IATA Stage 4 noise targets.
Additional safety enhancing design features will further reduce pilot workload, improve situational awareness and deliver superior auto rotation capabilities. The combination of capabilities, performance characteristics and value will be backed by Bell Helicopter's industry-leading service and support. The new helicopter is expected to achieve first flight in 2014.