GE Aviation has been selected by Guangzhou Hangxin Company/AVICopter to provide the Health & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) for their AC313 helicopter fleet in China.

“GE will provide comprehensive on-board and ground support analysis capabilities for the aircraft build, certification and in-service requirements,” said Alan Caslavka, president of Avionics & Digital Systems for GE Aviation. “The HUMS will help operators to keep their AC313 in the air by enabling improved maintenance planning and reduced downtime for their fleet.”

The fleet of civilian AC313 helicopters is designed to carry 27 passengers and two crew in the transport role. It also has been designed to be used for VIP transport, medical evacuations, disaster relief, forestry management and for search and rescue operations.

HUMS operators experience reduced maintenance and operating costs by avoiding unnecessary spares and minimising dedicated test flights and asset recapitalization. The HUMS increases aircraft availability by enhancing maintenance planning, reducing downtime, improving turnaround times and increasing operational readiness.

GE pioneered the development of the world's first certified Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) in 1991. Since then GE has developed a range of HUMS and combined HUMS/flight data recorder (FDR) systems for more than 25 helicopter types in both civil and military applications. Today, GE offers a world leading pedigree and comprehensive capabilities in aircraft monitoring and diagnostics with proven maintenance, operational and safety benefits.