Orolia (Stand F30), further establishing itself as a leader in advanced emergency locator transmitters and distress-tracking beacons (ELT-DTs), is teaming up with AFI KLM E&M to certify its Kannad ELT-DT for retrofit on the Airbus A320 family.
The effort, part of the European Commission's Horizon 2020 HELIOS research program aimed at developing next-generation distress beacons, requires a supplemental type certificate (STC). The STC, expected to be available in 2019, would pave the way for airlines to retrofit A320-family aircraft with system.
Announced at the 2017 Paris Airshow, the Kannad ELT-DT meets ICAO's Global Aeronautical Distress & Safety System (GADSS) standards, which call for position reporting at 15-minute intervals and autonomous distress-tracking. The Kannad beacon will automatically activate should the aircraft depart from its programmed flight profile or other flight parameters.
AFI KLM E&M (Stand G10) is responsible for system integration of ELT-DT technology. Orolia is the HELIOS project lead.
