Helitune's onboard rotor blade tracker, the RT-TipTrak, has been selected as the standard blade tracker for installation on Leonardo-Finmeccanica's AgustaWestland AW189 and AW169 aircraft — a significant OEM endorsement reflecting four years of close development work with Leonardo Helicopters.
Helitune has worked alongside Leonardo since the first flight of the AW189 in 2012, refining the RT-TipTrak to meet the performance and reliability requirements of the Leonardo Helicopters fleet. Two variants of the tracker have been developed to facilitate physical installation behind windows on the upper port side of the fuselage, tracking blade tips at the 10 o'clock position.
About the RT-TipTrak
The RT-TipTrak is an advanced onboard rotor blade tracker designed for precise measurement of helicopter rotor blade height and lead-lag. Key features include:
- Designed for internal or external mounting, offering installation flexibility across multiple airframes
- Suitable for use as an integral part of onboard HUMS or as part of a carry-on Rotor Track and Balance (RTB) system
- Fully compatible with SAE AS5394 (RITA) data transfer protocols
- Advanced blade recognition technology with 14-bit resolution — eliminating the need for tip targets or blade repainting
- Compatible with RT-6, HT-VHM, RT-2000 and RT-5JS+ systems
The RT-TipTrak uses Line Scan camera technology to measure blade track at the blade tip — regarded in the helicopter industry as the optimum point of measurement. Its lightweight alloy enclosure has no moving parts and meets stringent EMC and environmental requirements to DO-160E, ensuring consistent performance across a wide range of operating conditions.
Get expert technical advice
Contact Helitune for further information about the RT-TipTrak and the full range of helicopter rotor track-and-balance and vibration-monitoring systems.