CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Agusta Aerospace Corporation has selected The BFGoodrich Company's (NYSE: GR) collision avoidance, navigation and standby instrumentation systems for the A-109 E Power helicopter. Agusta supplies the A-109 to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). The initial order is to outfit the helicopters with the BFGoodrich TCAS I Collision Avoidance Systems and TACAN navigation systems as well as model AI-803 Standby Attitude Indicators.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000314/CHTU013-a )

"We look forward to working with Agusta and the USCG in supporting their mission critical efforts," states Adrienne Stevens, BFGoodrich's Avionics & Lighting Systems Director of Sales & Marketing.

The BFGoodrich TCAS I collision avoidance system creates a 360. cylindrical envelope of monitored airspace surrounding the aircraft and constantly displays transponder-equipped traffic within the selected ranges of 5, 10 and 20 nautical miles. The system tracks up to 35 intruder aircraft and automatically displays the eight highest priority targets. TCAS I has optional display interfaces with EFIS, IVSI, and the BFGoodrich CD605 as well as on radar indicators with the use of the BFGoodrich RGC250 Radar Graphics Computer.

Incorporating over 15 years of expertise and design, the BFGoodrich TACAN model RT-1634(V) is the only remotely controlled navigation system that features multi-station tracking capability. The flexibility of the system also allows two additional tracking channels to be updating long-range navigation systems. The complete BFGoodrich TACAN system consists of a Receiver/Transmitter, TACAN Control Unit and mounting base, and an optional Indicator Unit. The system can be used for Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground operations.

The AI-803 Standby Attitude Indicator is part of a large family of J.E.T. brand standby instrumentation produced by BFGoodrich Avionics & Lighting Systems. As a compact 2-inch, completely case-contained instrument, the AI-803 replaces conventional two box systems that rely on a remote gyro. The unit provides up to nine minutes of usable attitude information after a complete power loss, giving the pilot valuable response time in an emergency situation.

With 2000 sales of $4.4 billion, The BFGoodrich Company (NYSE: GR) is a leading worldwide supplier of aerospace components, systems and services, as well as sealing and compressor systems and other engineered industrial products. BFGoodrich is ranked by Fortune magazine as one of the most admired aerospace companies and is included on Forbes magazine's Platinum List of America's best big companies. The company has its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and employs 23,000 people worldwide. On March 5, 2001 the company announced plans to change its name to Goodrich Corporation pending shareholder vote on April 17, 2001. For more information as well as high res. images, please visit www.bfgoodrich.com.

BFGoodrich's Avionics & Lighting Systems division is a world leader in aircraft safety systems and components. Its offerings include SmartDeck(TM) Integrated Flight Displays & Control System, SKYWATCH(R) and SKYWATCH(R) HP Traffic Advisory Systems, Stormscope(R) weather mapping systems, LandMark(TM) Terrain Awareness Warning System, RGC250 Radar Graphics Computer, TCAS I collision avoidance systems, electronic and electro-mechanical standby instrument systems, vertical and directional gyros & solid state equipment, power conversion products, and landing, taxi, navigation, and collision avoidance lights. The division maintains a global support network through factory-authorized service centers. To learn more about BFGoodrich's Avionics & Lighting Systems Division, visit us at www.bfgavionics.com.
SOURCE The BFGoodrich Company
Web site: http: //www.bfgoodrich.com
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CONTACT: Gail K. Warner, 704-423-7048, or avionics & lighting, Kathy Hoyle, 616-285-4361, both of The BFGoodrich Company