Transcript Sandel

Sandel HeliTAWS® Overview
The Pilot’s Low-Level
Hazard Avoidance System
What is HeliTAWS®?
• HeliTAWS by Sandel is a unique indicating
& alerting system for helicopter operations
• Performs far beyond HTAWS requirements
• LED Backlighting with 10,000+ Hour MTBF
• Able to retrofit most radar altimeter indicators
• Self-contained Processor, Annunciators & Display
• 3D terrain display
• Nuisance-free alerting down to 150’ AGL in cruise configuration
• On-Demand MIL-STD-3009 NVIS mode available
History of CFIT Protection
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GPWS: Fixed Wing Ground Proximity Warning System
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EGPWS: Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System
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Improved warning algorithms and human factors design
Terrain data base introduced
TAWS: Terrain Awareness and Warning System
Sophisticated fixed-wing systems substantially reduced CFIT occurrence
HTAWS: Helicopter Terrain and Awareness Warning System, and when defined in the
2008 TSO C-194, was basically just a derivative of fixed-wing TAWS
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Originated in 1960’s & 70’s in response to CFIT accidents
Originally used downward radar for threat detection
False alerts early-on showed pilot tendency was to turn system off
MOPS, Minimum Operating Performance Standards, designed to protect helicopters in cruise
HeliTAWS: Sandel proprietary design
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Protects helicopters within entire operational envelope all the way to landing
Applies unique data base management & special features such as TruAlert, WireWatch
Eliminates all false alerts and employs unique modes of operation for all missions
*Controlled Flight Into Terrain
HeliTAWS & HTAWS
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HTAWS describes a standard of performance
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Complies with RTCA DO-309 (3/13/2008):
Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) for helicopter terrain awareness and
warning “mainly during the cruise phase and only down to approximately 500 ft. AGL”
Meets TSO-C194 12/17/2008
HeliTAWS is a product of Sandel innovation
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Performs differently and better than HTAWS built to MOPS
Includes performance features not conceived of when requirements were written in 2008
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TruAlert (nuisance alert elimination) and WireWatch (major transmission line alerting where data is
available)
3 arc-second high definition terrain data
Superior pilot interaction, captures pilot intentions
Advantages of advanced Sandel Technology
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Far exceeds MOPS set forth by the FAA back in 2008
Development of Nuisance Free alerting and main Transmission Line alerting
4 times higher terrain data than other competitive products
On-demand NVIS mode eliminates filtered displays that destroy daylight visibility
Radar Altimeter interface will generate Descent Altitude Call-Outs to audio system
Who Says Pilots Can’t Multi-task?
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Helicopter Pilots, the Epitome of Multi Tasking
– Helicopter pilots face diverse factors competing for attention
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flight tasks, passenger distractions, ATC tasks, traffic, terrain,
obstacles, wires, communications
All while close to the ground
Particularly challenging for EMS, Law Enforcement and other
“unscheduled” missions
– To this, a minimum compliant system adds multiple nuisance
alerts
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HeliTAWS looks outside for you
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When things get busy, HeliTAWS is still looking outside
HeliTAWS does not distract the pilot with false alerts
When HeliTAWS speaks, the pilot must listen and act
The reality becomes obvious in a comparison
of HeliTAWS with a minimum compliant
HTAWS system.
– Link to HeliTAWS vs. Garmin video
http://youtu.be/vOS8CaAhXtk
False Alerts: “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”
• False (or nuisance) alerts are the bane of pilots
– Cause distractions in procedure flow
– Interrupt the situational awareness model
– Result in distrust of the warning equipment
• Typical pilot response is to “Turn the system off!”
• Basic HeliTAWS systems usage confirm this experience
• Human factors studies suggest reliability of warning systems should
be at least 10x better than the hazard being protected
• TAWS in helicopters operating near the ground are much more
prone to false alerts than fixed wing.
– Derivatives of fixed-wing TAWS will not suffice where helicopters fly
– Totally new design challenge were presented by the helicopter mission
– Sandel HeliTAWS met these challenges
A Brief “Dive” Into TAWS Technology
Basic Concepts
• For fixed- or rotary-wing, TAWS basically
defines a terrain database/GPS positionbased forward looking terrain alerting
system (FLTA)
• Enhanced systems add traditional radaraltimeter based functions as a backup.
• As defined by the FAA, fixed wing and
rotary wing differ mainly in chosen flight
envelopes
What is TSO C194 & RTCA Do-309
• TSO-C194 (HTAWS) and RTCA DO-309 (MOPS
for HTAWS) provide the initial compilation of
requirements for HTAWS mainly during the “cruise
phase” of flight. While these requirements are
helpful they do not address many of the conditions
routinely encountered in helicopter operations. In
particular, operations below 400 feet above the
ground or in the vicinity of wires and other
obstacles receive little attention in the MOPS.
Class B
• For Rotorcraft, TSO C-194 sets the
“enroute alerting standard” but does not
define low altitude operations where many
helicopters operate
• Provides basic forward-looking terrain
alerting (FLTA)
Class A
• Not defined for rotary wing but the concept has
migrated from fixed-wing equipment
• Starts with the Class B technology
• Adds the Radar Altimeter input and software
• Adds traditional downward-looking Ground
Proximity Warning System (GPWS) modes which
can act as a backup in case of GPS failure
• Adds glideslope alerting for IFR operations
• No matter which Sandel HeliTAWS you choose,
ST3400H or ST3453H, both comply with all Class
A performance requirements.
FLTA: Fixed Wing vs. Rotary Wing
• Alerting times are changed for rotary-wing aircraft
• Fixed-wing TAWS alerting times:
– CAUTION – 60 Seconds
– WARNING – 30 Seconds
• Rotary-wing TAWS alerting times:
– CAUTION – 20 Seconds
– WARNING – 10 Seconds
FLTA: Fixed Wing vs. Rotary Wing
• Altitudes are adjusted:
• Fixed-Wing TSO C92c:
– Standard TERPS criteria used for alerting. 1000’ enroute
altitude (700’ alerting) and three degree descent to the
runway
• Rotary-Wing TSO C194:
– It is essential a 500’ AGL enroute specification with level
cruise at 400’ AGL specified as no alerts
– There is no guidance for what happens below 400’ AGL
What are the issues with HTAWS?
• “A false alert is an alert that occurs with no actual
safety threat”. Defined that way:
– C194 does not address alerting performance below 400’
AGL. HTAWS may false alert without a vertical safety
threat
– C194 does not clearly address lateral accuracies. In
terrain rich environments HTAWS may false alert with no
lateral safety threat.
• Sandel’s fixed-wing systems have a reputation for ‘no
false alerts’. The design goal was to achieve this
performance for rotorcraft at real world altitudes.
• Sandel made an early decision to invent a wire alerting
capability
Sandel HeliTAWS
• Sandel redesigned its system for helicopters
based on lessons learned in fixed wing.
• There seemed to be no limit to how low the pilots
want and need to go–depends on the mission
• Started with the “Class A” technology meeting
TSO C-194
• Produced helicopter-specific profiles
• NVIS compliance to fit into the total safety system
• Wire alerting was conceived and invented
Sandel HeliTAWS
• TruAlert: a combination of specifications and
algorithms
• Decision made to use 3 arc-sec data and 1 foot
vertical resolution – allows very accurate alerting
• Non-gridded obstacles. Allows obstacle accuracy
equal to plotting accuracy. Allows obstacle alerting
independent of terrain. Allows obstacle alerting in a
hover.
• Automatic off-airport landing capability using ‘pilotintent algorithm’
Loud sudden noises in a helicopter WILL get
your undivided attention
How Sandel TruAlert Works
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300’
Non-gridded obstacles.
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Ultra-high resolution data, 3 ARC-Second data compared
to competitors 6 ARC-Second data.
Ultra-high internal resolutions calculated
Higher internal processor speeds
600’
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A combination of specifications and algorithms
that eliminate nuisance alerts
Very accurate alerting
300’
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Allows obstacle accuracy equal to plotting accuracy
Allows obstacle alerting independent of terrain
Allows obstacle alerting in a hover
Represents an obstacle in the graphic and not being
grid referenced, is alerted on separate from terrain.
Automatic off-airport landing capability using
‘pilot-intent algorithm’
600’
Sandel HeliTAWS
• Essentially modeless during flight
• Nuisance free
• Operational altitudes selectable by the pilot
500’ (Norm)
300’ (Low Sens)
150’ (Tactical)
• WireWatch Wire-strike prevention where
data is available
• Anticipate adding structures such as
bridges and buildings to provide
additional protections
• TOPO display of rivers, bodies of water &
major roads for unmatched VFR reference
Sandel Algorithms
• The experience gained in developing the low nuisance
alerting concept for the Sandel fixed-wing TAWS was
crucial in leading Sandel to conclude that, in the more
challenging helicopter environment, a new alerting
paradigm would be necessary.
• The result is a helicopter system with an extremely low
false alarm rate that works as well for operation near
the ground as it does for higher altitude cruise
conditions.
• The Sandel HeliTAWS never makes the pilot prioritize
multiple threats. While all threats are shown visually, a
warning is presented for the one threat that is most
urgent.
WireWatch Wire Alerting
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Two fundamentally different strategies for determining wire location
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Presence of electric field surrounding operating power lines
Database of wire locations.
The database option provides advantages
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Most important: alerting operates whether power line energized or not
Emergency situations can result in circuit breakers opening for affected power lines
With no power on the power line there is no field to sense
Systems that depend on sensing cannot determine location of the still risky wires.
Database driven systems work equally well whether power is on or off.
Fully active multi-sensor imaging systems are extremely expensive
and require up to 80+ lbs. of equipment be installed.
Note: WireWatch data bases are being developed as we obtain
data from various countries. Currently the U.S., Canada and New
Zealand are offered.
EMS vs. Others
• EMS operations are inherently riskier than other
commercial air missions.
– They require immediate launches that involve life and
death situations
– Must fly to locations they have never been to before,
land in a place not intended to handle aircraft, board
the injured individuals and then get the patient(s) to
the hospital
– Add in the complications of darkness, rough terrain
and unexpected weather conditions!
How HTAWS fits into the Safety
Equation
• HTAWS, NVG’s, and Training are the three
components that have been recognized as necessary
tools to improve helicopter safety. NVG’s cannot do it
alone as 50% of the CFIT accidents occur in daylight;
NVG cannot see wires or towers at night.
• In order to be effective, HTAWS must not nuisance
alert.
• This is the Sandel HeliTAWS technology mission
NEVER get into a fight without more
ammunition than the other guy.
Tactical positioning
– HeliTAWS gives you
the advantage to look
and plan ahead
• Don’t just see the mountain,
also see the contours of the
terrain and possible alternate
routes
• See a threat on screen and you
can maneuver out of harms
way
2/1/12
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Safety – Helicopter Missions
• Helicopters operate in a more demanding environment where the
opportunities for false alerts are significantly greater
• The vehicle differences are obvious
– A helicopter can hover and change direction without any forward motion
– A helicopter can climb or descend with or without any along-path speed
– Helicopters can takeoff and land from many different locations, including those
away from an airport or heliport
– Helicopters operate routinely below 500’ AGL with no intention to land
– Obstacles and especially power lines are a threat to helicopter operations
throughout the mission, not just at takeoff and landing
Safety - Industry’s Role
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The International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) was formed in late 2005 in
response to a consensus of government regulators, manufacturers, and
helicopter operators that the rate of worldwide helicopter accidents was
unacceptably high and must be reduced.
The model for IHST was the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) that
was successful in motivating a reduction of the large air carrier (United
States Code 14 CFR Part 121) fatal accident rate by 80% in 10 years. The
IHST accepted this accident reduction mandate and formed industry and
government teams to conduct a similar effort to reduce the worldwide
helicopter accident rate by 100% in 10 years (by 2016).
CFIT is a substantial component of helicopter accidents, and is amenable to
application of technology that reliably alerts the pilot when a terrain,
obstacle, or wire hazard exists. HeliTAWS is that technology.
Safety - Sandel’s Role
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Sandel designed HeliTAWS with a requirement that incidence of nuisance
warning would be as close to zero as possible
The resulting design far exceeds the MOPS qualification criteria, and caused
Sandel to create a set of distinctive brands for its system
Sandel HeliTAWS, TruAlert functionality, WireWatch protection
Experience and comparisons of HeliTAWS with HTAWS compliant systems
confirm:
– HeliTAWS is highly effective in performing its intended functions
– HeliTAWS nuisance warnings are very low, and the envelope of protection against
collisions with wires, terrain, and obstacles is comprehensive.
– Pilots and operators are assured that HeliTAWS will perform as expected
– HeliTAWS algorithms and controls are responsive to pilot intentions
– Operators using HeliTAWS observe no pilot inclination to deactivate the system
for any reason under the total envelope of challenging helicopter operations
Safety – Government’s Role –
FAA/NTSB
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Helicopter differences are significant enough to suggest a major rethinking
of the alerting requirement for helicopters.
TSO C194 (Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems) and RTCA
DO-309 (Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Helicopter
Terrain Awareness and Warning System MOPS) provide the initial
compilation of requirements for a helicopter terrain awareness and warning
system mainly during the “cruise phase” of flight.
While these requirements are helpful they do not address many of the
conditions routinely encountered in helicopter operations.
In particular, operations below 400’ AGL or in the vicinity of wires and other
obstacles receive little or no attention in the MOPS.
Pressure will emerge for MOPS and TSO to address these performance
deficiencies
Current Fleet Situation
• Fleet penetration of all HTAWS is still very low
• Customers are understandably confused and
paralyzed.
– HTAWS compliant systems have taught the industry
that nuisance alerts are a way of life and associate
nuisance alerts with the technology itself.
– Pilots turn it off.
• EMS operators are in a quandary – and now faced
with a published mandate in the U.S. for a
technology that likely won’t work well for their
application.
• Sandel is working this problem diligently by
educating the customers
HeliTAWS for Civilian & Commercial
Installations
Sandel ST3400H
• Far exceeds TSO C-194 requirements
• MIL-STD-3009 NVIS on-demand
• Includes GPWS Modes 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6 if
required
HeliTAWS for Military Installations
Sandel ST3453H
• MIL-STD-810B environmental qualified
• MIL-STD-1553B BUSS interface built in
• MIL-STD-3009 NVIS on-demand
HeliTAWS Demonstration Flight
Experiencing it personally is the best way to assess HeliTAWS.
Visit us in California at Palomar Airport – KCRQ for a demo flight in
AS350B2 N547SA
Contact Jerry Henry, Director of Sales at (760) 560-1406, Jerry Henry [email protected]
Link to In-flight Demo Video - http://youtu.be/JcF5EZ8AcMU
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