GPMS reports results, receives AS350 B2 STC, and targets STC on EC145 and H145 platforms
Waterbury, VT – March 7, 2023 – GPMS International announced today at HeliExpo 2023 that the FAA has granted a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Foresight MX, the industry’s leading health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) on the Airbus AS350 B2 platform. Additionally, GPMS announced it has contracted with a HEMS operator to certify Foresight MX on the H145, and is working with Metro Aviation for certification on the EC145 platform.
“Airbus Helicopter models like the AS350 / H125 series are the largest and fastest growing model in our installed portfolio,” said John Byus, GPMS’s Director of Sales – Americas. As operators are learning about Foresight MX and how transformational it is, they’re reaching out and asking for us to expand our STC portfolio to their models. There are over 1300 EC145 / H145s flying today, and most of them do not have HUMS. We’ve been hearing from these operators that they are very interested in our solution, and we are privileged to be working with them, our Certified Installer network, and with partners like Metro Aviation to deliver it to the market.”
Since the initial certification on the Bell 407GX series in 2019, GPMS has received STCs on various models, including the Bell 407 Analog, Bell 429, Bell 212, Bell 412 series, MD 530F, Airbus H125/AS350 B3, Mi-8/17/171 and the UH-60A. GPMS teamed with Pathfinder Aviation, a utility operator in Alaska, to complete the AS350 B2 certification and to bring predictive HUMS to the nearly 1200 B2s flying today.
Byus continues, “Many of our customers, like Pathfinder Aviation, utilize multiple models from multiple helicopter OEMs. This historically has prevented them from seeing a one-stop, holistic view of the health of their entire fleet. With our solution, our targeted Airbus certification expansion, and our collaboration with various OEMs, more operators are benefiting from having the power of Foresight. Using it anywhere, any time, and on any web-enabled device.”
According to Todd Powers, GPMS’s Vice President of Sales, the demand for HUMS is no longer a surprise. “In the last year, we’ve more than doubled our Foresight installations and our backlog, and our CEO & cofounder, Dr. Eric Bechhoefer, has been awarded the HAI Salute to Excellence Award for Safety for his outstanding contributions to the promotion of rotorcraft safety and safety awareness. We’ve moved from showing folks the benefits HUMS can bring to them, to fulfilling orders and assisting customers with their installations as quickly as possible.”
Powers continues, “Supply chain issues and certification processes are challenging for everyone in our industry. As a small business, we’ve experienced those same challenges and some growing pains along the way. We can’t thank our customers and partners enough for their patience and their trust over the last year. Through their feedback, we’ve continued to improve our technology and support processes. For example, we’re reducing hardware requirements by deploying our patented ‘tach from vibration’ algorithms, monitoring and reporting weights on hook load cells, and improving connectivity throughout the aircraft. As we move forward with our expanded Airbus portfolio and with the power of Foresight, we’re looking forward to the new ways we’ll find to transform helicopter operations.”
About GPMS
Foresight MX by GPMS offers a next-generation, predictive Health and Usage Monitoring System that goes beyond HUMS. Foresight MX is designed to give equipment operators the power to “Know before it matters” providing Machine Condition Monitoring, optimized Rotor Track and Balance, and Fleet Data with Exceedance Monitoring in one powerful system. Fully predictive, Foresight MX offers insights needed to optimize maintenance, safety, and operations. GPMS has re-engineered the HUMS category to put its advantages within reach of every operator, making all platforms smarter and more connected.
