Cobham Teams with Edwards & Associates for HeliSAS^® STCs

February 11, 2010 – (MINERAL WELLS, Texas) Cobham Avionics has announced a partnership with Edwards & Associates, of Bristol, Tennessee, to obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) of Cobham’s HeliSAS Stability Augmentation System and Autopilot. Cobham and Edwards will team to achieve STC approvals for HeliSAS on the Bell 206, 206L, and Bell 407 platforms.

HeliSAS is a two-axis attitude hold, attitude command, flight control system. The system has two basic functions, SAS to aid with aircraft stability and autopilot outer loop control modes for altitude hold, heading select and navigation sensor coupling. The SAS and Autopilot System provide a significant reduction in pilot workload, from takeoff to landing.

The HeliSAS system offers a number of advantages over previously certified helicopter autopilot systems in terms of its significantly lighter weight, ease of installation, and competitive pricing, all of which make it particularly suited for lighter gross-weight helicopters. HeliSAS has received Technical Standard Order (TSO) certification from the FAA and is STC’d on the Robinson R44. For information about HeliSAS, visit www.HeliSAS.com.

Cobham chose to partner with Edwards & Associates based upon their proven record of successful rotorcraft avionics installations and ongoing maintenance. Edwards, in conjunction with Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. will be able to supply HeliSAS autopilot kits to other dealers and will offer customer installations on the B206 and B407 models.

Both companies will exhibit at Heli-Expo on February 21st: Cobham in Booth #4405 and Edwards in Booth #132.

About Edwards & Associates:
Edwards & Associates Inc., an affiliate company of Bell Helicopter, and a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is located in Bristol, Tennessee. Edwards, along with its affiliated companies, Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. and Rotor Blades, Inc. have set the standard in the helicopter industry for over 28 years by providing quality new and pre-owned aircraft, custom completions services, new products, maintenance, helicopter refurbishment and overhaul/repair services.

About Cobham:
Cobham’s products and services have been at the heart of sophisticated military and civil systems for more than 70 years, keeping people safe, improving communications and enhancing the capability of land, sea, air and space platforms. The Company has four divisions employing more than 12,000 people on five continents, with customers and partners in over 100 countries and annual revenues of more than £1.4bn / $2.21 billion.