Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Gordon Gilbert

Precise Flight&nbsp;has expanded its STC for the Pulselite bird-strike prevention system to include installation for the Bell 407GX and 407GXP variations. The system also was recently validated by the European Aviation Safety Administration and the Civil Aviation Administration of&nbsp;China for the Bell 407.

 


Pulselite is a lightweight electrical controller that alternately pulses the landing and auxiliary lights of a helicopter or airplane, thereby increasing its visibility and reflecting the speed and direction of the aircraft. According to the Bend, Oregon company, "the system has been proven to significantly reduce bird strikes in addition to enhancing safety by increasing aircraft recognition.”

 


Since the system was introduced more than 30 years ago, it has been approved by a number of aviation authorities for major aircraft models and is installed on hundreds of rotorcraft and airplanes around the world, including the rotorcraft fleets of Air Methods, Metro Aviation, Maverick Helicopters, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S.&nbsp;Forest Service, and PHI Helicopters. &nbsp;

 


Airbus Helicopters is one of the most recent manufacturers to install the Pulselite on its models In the U.S., Canada,&nbsp;and Australia. The system is required aboard all firefighting helicopters with government contracts. It is also required equipment to be a member of T.O.P.S. (Tour Operators Program of Safety).

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.