- Next Generation Solutions
Brought To You By The Air Bear/Rapid Imaging Solutions Team
Air Bear Tactical Aircraft and Rapid Imaging Solutions have teamed to provide a scalable, lightweight and affordable gimbal retraction system which supports sensors up to 17” (12” limitation for the C206H). Operationally proven in hundreds of hours of airborne law enforcement and fire attack C2 missions, Air Bear and Rapid Imaging are setting the standard for lightweight, affordable and reliable solutions. Please check our respective websites for additional capabilities and information.
Currently STC’d for:
- Aero Commander 690A/B
- Diamond DA62-MPP
STC’s in process:
- C206H – Expected 2024
- Daher Kodiak 100/900
More to come… contact us with your platform requirements!
Legacy Lessons Learned
Air Bear’s clients have flown many thousands of hours of airborne law enforcement missions with our legacy offering, the GA8 Airvan. It’s 1st generation pod mounted retraction system has performed yeoman’s service over the years, providing significant advantages over externally mounted gimbals. Benefits our clients have realized include:
- Improved performance with less fuel used
- Reduced unscheduled gimbal maintenance
- Gimbal FOD damage practically eliminated
- Benefits of a discrete ramp presence realized
- Ability to orbit in either direction
Typical of 1st generation offerings, areas of improvement we’re discovered during thousands of hours of very successful operations. Reducing weight and drag decidedly were areas which could be improved, as well as was addressing serviceability and reliability. Surveying other legacy retract systems also resulted in learning that in at least one design, dangerous levels of CO were allowed to leak into the cabin. Other offerings required control cables to be re-routed, at significant expense.
These issues and others have contributed to the nexus to provide a more efficient, cost effective and lighter solution which is less expensive to acquire, install, operate and maintain. Air Bear and Rapid Imaging have incorporated solutions to these lessons learned by designing new capabilities into our next generation retraction systems.
Lessons Applied
Designing a lightweight, scalable and highly redundant unit, the Air Bear/Rapid Imaging team provides a next generation solution to affordably and efficiently field internal retraction systems. Available for retrofit of a variety of existing platforms, they will also be available for new aircraft builds.
Easily fitting into the port side of the 3rd row of a C206H, plenty of space is left for gear storage and equipment mounting, while the side-by-side 2nd row seating is uncompromised. Flying with a TFO and Trainer/Observer is readily accomplished, especially when combined with our C206H monitor/console assembly (pictured). Operation of the unit is controlled by either or both the pilot and/or TFO, via the ergonomic control panel provided.
The hermetically sealed system can be removed for service as a complete unit in minutes, allowing maintenance of the sensor and retract to occur outside of the aircraft. As a last resort, a rachet is provided to hand crank the gimbal to the stowed position if all else fails. With redundant systems for drive, power and auto-retraction, worry free operation is the result.
C206H control cable rerouting is unnecessary, which results in dramatically reduced installation costs. You will also discover your 206 will perform significantly better on those hot and high days. Hermetically sealed for CO and environmental protection, you can rest assured you will not be subjected to the elements. Combining our oil separator and exhaust pipe extension options with the retract system has shown sensor fouling from blow by to largely be a thing of the past.
Air Bear/RIS can retrofit your existing aircraft or install in your new C206H today. Installation is fully FAA approved via an 8110-3; an STC LOA will be provided upon award (expected mid-2024). Post STC, we can install for you or at your convenience, an installation kit will be provided for installation by a third party.
Additional Platforms
Initially STC’d for the 690A/B and DA62-MPP, other platforms are currently in the certification process or are being contemplated for certification. Contact us for more information about future capabilities. Additional aircraft mounting options will be determined on a platform-by-platform basis and may use OEM supplied pods. Custom pods can be provided as well.
The DA62-MPP installation will be mounted over the 20” survey hatch as shown (large format camera depicted) and will be lowered through the hatch for unobstructed 360-degree viewing. Learn more about this incredibly efficient aircraft here.
Join our mailing list and request more information in the data capture for which follows, or for immediate assistance please contact us directly:
Through your email program:
bearsintheair@airbear.aero (Click To Email)
You can also call us at:
855-699-5489 (Click To Call. Mobile Only)
Further Information
MORE INFO ABOUT AIR BEAR AIRCRAFT
Enter your information below to be contacted about Air Bear aircraft acquisition services or to receive more info about emerging solutions here at Air Bear.