AUGUST 12, 2003 … McKechnie Aerospace’s Structures Group has delivered second generation Force Sensor Rods (FSRs) to Gulfstream for incorporation into the company’s popular GIV and GV aircraft. The new generation FSRs, which meet all environmental requirements set forward by the FAA for FAR Part 135 operators, will be standard on GIVs and GVs. In addition, the units will be made available for GIV and GV aircraft retrofits.
The first-generation McKechnie FSRs were qualified late last year and completed first flight early this year. Concurrently, McKechnie Aerospace and Gulfstream were collaborating on a second-generation system that would meet all FAA environmental requirements and consequently allow the GIV and GV platforms to be used by FAR Part 135 operators. Last year, the FAA mandated that all Part 135 commercial operators utilizing aircraft over 14,000 lbs or carrying 9 passengers or more have FAA approved FSR systems onboard.
McKechnie Aerospace’s Force Sensor Rods, which utilize a unique yet simple and reliable design to integrate load sensors into existing flight control push rods, measure the characteristics and force applied by the pilot to the rudder, aileron, and elevator flight controls. The information gathered by the system is transferred and stored in the aircraft’s data recorder and can then be compared to the actual mechanical movement achieved by the flight control systems.
For more information on the unit, contact: Michael King, King Group. Phone: 805.462.3000. E-mail: mking@kinggroup.com
