PAC COMPLETES ADS-B OUT CERTIFICATION ON AIRBUS EC135

January 21, 2015

PAC International, a Metro Aviation company, completed the installation of a Garmin GTX-330ES extended squitter transponder system in an Airbus EC135 helicopter in December 2014 and received certification for the ADS-B Out in Jan 2015. The EMS configured helicopter is owned by Metro Aviation, Shreveport LA, and operated by PENNSTAR FLIGHT, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, is a cornerstone of NextGen air traffic modernization, and the FAA has mandated that aircraft operating in airspace that now requires a Mode C transponder must be equipped with ADS-B Out by Jan. 1, 2020. ADS-B Out transmits information about altitude, airspeed, and location derived through GPS from an equipped aircraft to ground stations and other equipped aircraft in the vicinity. Air traffic controllers use the information to “see” participating aircraft in real time with the goal of improving traffic management.

“PAC International has developed a world-wide reputation for providing a wide range of innovative, customer focused, and high quality helicopter completion and customizing services on Bell, Sikorsky, Agusta, and Airbus helicopters,” says Ed Wahl, Director of Maintenance for PAC.  “We have established a reputation for providing state-of-the-art services in helicopter maintenance, airframe & interior modifications, painting and avionics. This ADS-B Out certification is just another step in our ability to provide quality service to our vast customer base, and provides a source of compliance to these customers to fulfill this mandate by the FAA.”