Certified, next-generation upgrade replaces analog instrumentation with full-glass cockpit featuring modern technology for increased situational awareness and decreased pilot workload

OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN – March 25, 2024 – Astronautics Corporation of America’s Badger Pro+ is the integrated flight display system for the Bell BasiX-Pro Glass Cockpit Retrofit Kit.  Bell’s newest upgrade solution recently received supplemental type certificate approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for Bell 412EP helicopters with PT6T-3D engine types.  The Bell BasiX-Pro Glass Cockpit Retrofit Kit with Astronautics’ Badger Pro+ display system will upgrade 412EP legacy helicopters from analog instrumentation to full-glass cockpits.  The 412EP retrofit kit is offered by Bell Aeronautical Accessories and installed by Bell’s global completion centers of excellence.

The Badger Pro+ system consists of four 6”x8,” high-resolution, smart displays providing primary flight, navigation, and engine data, along with a control panel and an engine data acquisition unit.  Astronautics’ Badger displays have proven dependability with hundreds of fielded units and over a million hours of flight time.

“Astronautics is pleased to enable Bell’s ongoing mission of improving performance, reliability, and supportability for their medium-sized helicopter customers with our Badger Pro+ system,” said Eyton Zelazo, Astronautics’ director of displays and cockpit integration.  “The Bell BasiX-Pro Glass Cockpit Retrofit Kit will provide Bell 412EP operators with modern flight-deck technology to improve situational awareness and decrease pilot workload, while also offering the same look and feel of a new production Bell 412 cockpit.”

Key highlights of the Badger Pro+ integrated flight display system, as part of the BasiX-Pro Glass Cockpit Retrofit Kit for the Bell 412EP, include:

  • Common display unit hardware with new production medium-sized platforms (SUBARU Bell 412EPX and Bell 429), simplifying maintenance and pilot training for mixed fleets.
  • Aircraft parameter, chip, and exceedance recording for 70+ hours of data, useful for maintenance tracking and planning.
  • Full-screen presentation of external video with pan feature.
  • Multiple high-definition digital video inputs (no conversion to analog).
  • Weather radar / HTAWS displayed in both full and arc HSI formats.
  • Route mapping with five levels of declutter.
  • Two-second power-up time (not just in-flight recovery).
  • Non-ITAR night vision goggle compatible.

To learn more about the Bell BasiX-Pro Glass Cockpit Retrofit Kit, contact Bell Aeronautical Accessories.  For more information about Astronautics’ Badger Pro+ integrated flight display system, contact Astronautics at BusDev@astronautics.com.

Astronautics’ Badger Pro+ is the integrated flight display system for the Bell BasiX-Pro Glass Cockpit Retrofit Kit. The Bell BasiX-Pro Glass Cockpit Retrofit Kit with Astronautics’ Badger Pro+ display system will upgrade 412EP legacy helicopters from analog instrumentation to full-glass cockpits.

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About Astronautics

Astronautics Corporation of America, headquartered in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, is a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of avionics equipment and systems for the commercial and military aerospace industry.  Key product areas include electronic primary flight, multifunction and engine displays, connected aircraft and airborne cyber solutions, electronic flight bags, and certified servers for airborne applications.  Services include avionics system integration and custom software for critical applications. Since its founding in 1959, Astronautics has been providing trusted, reliable, and tailored engineering solutions enabling aerospace OEMs and operators to achieve mission success.  Astronautics is the parent company of Kearfott Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, known for its guidance, navigation, and motion sensor products for sea, land, air, and space applications.  For more: www.astronautics.com.