Cobham Teams with Metro Aviation for HeliSAS® STC

February 18, 2010 - (MINERAL WELLS, Texas) Cobham Avionics has announced a partnership with Metro Aviation, Shreveport, Louisiana, to obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certification (STC) of Cobham’s HeliSAS Stability Augmentation System and Autopilot. Cobham and Metro will team to achieve STC approval for HeliSAS on the Eurocopter AS350 model series.

Cobham chose to partner with Metro Aviation based upon their proven record of successful rotorcraft avionics installations and ongoing completion activities with the AS350 and other Eurocopter product lines. Cobham Avionics will own the AS350 model series STC, while Metro will offer HeliSAS installation services and provide the installation kit to Cobham. The launch customer for the Heli-SAS is projected to be a new Metro Aviation operational customer, MedStat EMS, based in Winona MS.

About Metro Aviation:

Metro Aviation, Inc., based in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States is a worldwide provider of completion services for all missions and types of helicopters, specializing in the EC135 and EC145, with several Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) developed by the company for these and other aircraft. Metro is an FAA-approved repair station, approved Eurocopter Service Center, and FAR Part 135 air medical operations provider at several locations across the United States.

Previously, Cobham has received a Supplemental Type Certification (STC) from the FAA for HeliSAS use in a Robinson R44 helicopter, which the Company announced on 23 November 2009. Cobham is in the process of achieving HeliSAS certification for use on the Bell 206, Bell 407, Eurocopter AS350, and the U.S. Navy’s Bell-made TH-57 helicopters.

HeliSAS is a two-axis attitude hold, attitude command, flight control system. The system has two basic functions, a Stability Augmentation System (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