Indal Technologies supplies a Horizon Reference System (HRS) that extends ship borne helicopter operations during periods of reduced visibility, high sea states and at night. The HRS provides a steady reference with the horizon while the ship rolls during heavy seas or maneuvering. The HRS provides a true horizon reference by utilizing the ship’s vertical gyro system synchro-input to drive the roll bar in the direction opposite to the ship’s roll.

The HRS position, when compared to the fixed lights on the ship’s hangar or deck, provides the pilot with the degree and periodicity of the ship’s roll. Indal Technologies incorporates two fixed one foot electro luminescent panels (ELP) that are mounted at the end of and parallel to the roll bar. The HRS can also be installed as part of a more comprehensive lighting or landing aid package to further enhance the visual cues to the pilot, thus reducing his workload and enhancing safety. The HRS remains the key element in providing the pilot the "true horizon" when preparing to land.

The HRS system is in use with almost every RAST system worldwide, as a stand-alone product, and is modified to incorporate additional pilot cue light boxes when sold with ASIST.

Systems Integration

Indal Technologies provides design, supply and integration services crucial to the provision of a full range of aviation facility equipment to helicopter-carrying vessels. Areas in which Indal Technology engineers help its customers to address include:

• Helicopter Landing Systems
• Approach and Landing Guidance Systems
• Fire-Fighting Systems
• Lights and Markings
• Helicopter Hangar and Hangar Door Systems
• Tie-Downs
• Fueling/De-Fueling Systems

Indal Technologies has used its innovative skills and extensive knowledge of the sea environment, high-grade materials and welding techniques to develop and design a new helicopter tie-down. The new unit offers superior corrosion resistance and greater security for shipboard helicopters. These characteristics, combined with a simple construction and ease of installation, result in a cost-effective solution for shipboard helicopter securing.

Existing tie-downs have two main deficiencies; they are susceptible to corrosion; and, they limit the free rotation of the tie-down hook. This last characteristic can induce adverse bending moments and possibly damage the tie-down hook during high loading conditions. It is these deficiencies that were primarily addressed by the new tie-down design.

Indal Technologies' tie-downs will sustain the loads required to secure a 15-tonne helicopter under severe sea state conditions, and have been installed on the British Navy's aircraft carrier, Ark Royal.