In order to improve communication, safety and situational awareness for crews during infrastructure service operations such as power line servicing, maintenance and repair, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has added the Axnes PNG WICS extension system to its utility helicopter fleet.

WICS allows crew members/technicians to conduct robust communications and allows for continued handsfree voice activated-voice communication, eliminating the constant need for hand and arm signals while maintaining real time voice communications during critical operational situations. Additionally, it frees the crew from the encumbrance of wired connections to the ICS, minimising the potential for snag hazards and allowing the ability to move freely within as well as outside the operating aircraft or platform.

“Our PNG system brings unprecedented situational awareness and safety to San Diego Gas & Electric air and ground crews, freeing them from having to be connected to intercom drop cords," says Axnes VP Brett Gardner. "Our equipment is easy to operate and enables line-of-sight wireless communications, increasing mission capability and operational safety for its challenging mission scenarios, particularly during field operations.”

The PNG WICS system is designed for integration into any aircraft communications suite or can be deployed as a standalone mobile system. It comes standard with AES256 encryption and provides robust, reliable, clear and secure, full duplex communications to crew members who are either wired or wireless. It also incorporates noise cancelling capabilities, making it ideally suited for utility aviation roles, and affords increased situational awareness for crew during ground checks, start up and maintenance activities.