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Bell Long Ranger modified as Electronic News Gathering platform for CTV
According to Scott Gibson, CTVs Project Manager on this and the previous project: “It is much easier the second time with a project like this if you use the same group who handled the first one. We were able to save lots of money and time on the similar elements like the aft compartment, the avionics rack and the cockpit avionics plus some particularly tricky things like the tail rotor camera. Working with KAAV is a piece of cake - these guys know just what we want.”
There was no STC development work in this version of the CTV ENG machine however as noted before, there were some new technology and equipment applications that differ for various reasons from the last unit. A good example is the distinctive and massive camera mounted on the nose of the helicopter. The second CTV ship features a FLIR Ultra Media 3 system up front – and based upon the test results at Kitchener, the folks in Vancouver are now getting some great aerial TV coverage of news events as they happen.
In addition to the FLIR system, CTV Two (as it became known around KAAV) also uses a very different Microwave (MW) relay system. Whereas most MW ops require site-to-site transmission - and a clear line of site at that - the new system on this machine has been designed to bounce off buildings and can use one of three repeater and reception points that have been installed around greater Vancouver. This system will also beam MPEG images in a digital format to the station, whereas the other system in Toronto is analog based.
The avionics package installed included NAT AMS 43 Audio Panel, Dual Garmin AT SL-40 Comms, Garmin GTX 327 Transponder, Bendix/King KMD 150 GPS/Moving Map, TRA 3000 Radar Altimeter System, and Ryan TCAD 9900BX Traffic Awareness System. Whelen Strobe Lights and a PulseLight 3060 System were also installed for enhanced operational safety. A NAT NPX 138N was installed as Talon Helicopters' (the firm operating the rotorcraft for CTV) company FM radio.
The ENG package was similar to the first LongRanger, notwithstanding the change to the FLIR Camera System and the Digital Microwave System as opposed to analog in the first ship. Common elements include the KAAV TailCam, NAT AA97-CTV Custom Audio System, Sony video editing suite, and the normal plethora of cameras, video monitors, communications gear, and so forth - all of which is required to get the ENG mission accomplished the CTV way. (Kitchener Aero)
Nella foto: “CTV Two”, ready for acceptance by CTV and Talon Helicopters of Vancouver, features a FLIR Ultra Media 3 system up front. (Kitchener Aero)