HeliDax, AMS (Aircraft Maintenance Systems) and Safran Electronics & Defense have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on a complete digital chain based on the Cassiopée range of flight data analysis services. This new solution, which was announced at Heli-Expo 2019, is billed as a world first for helicopters.

The partnership between Safran, HeliDax and AMS focuses on the implementation of a complete, automated digital flight data processing chain that will connect Cassiopée to each operator's Maintenance Information System (MIS). Alongside this planned collaboration, Safran is in talks with HeliDax to connect its HeliSafe flight data recorder to the MIS developed by AMS.

Safran's Cassiopée system fully automates the management and collection of all the data captured before, during and after each flight, which is down-linked wirelessly to a tablet after landing, eliminating the risk of human error. The Cassiopée suite aims to provide operators with the accurate, contextualized information they need.

As well as reducing operating costs, this arrangement is designed to improve flight safety by analyzing safety-related events. Operators can therefore maximize helicopter availability by the timely scheduling of maintenance services.

HeliDax was chosen by the French government in 2008 to supply and service a fleet of thirty-six EC120B Colibri helicopters for the basic and advanced training of French military helicopter pilots. HeliDax uses the MIS to manage the airworthiness of its helicopters, including the thirty-six EC120Bs, which fly an average of 22,000 hours each year.