(January 27, 2026, Pittsburgh, PA) [PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA] – QAI Aviation, a leading provider of avionics and MRO services, today announced it has received approval for their Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Single-Pilot IFR (SPIFR) cockpit upgrade on the Airbus EC135 helicopter.
The QAI Aviation SPIFR modification for the EC135 transforms the cockpit into a modern, glass-panel environment that enables single-pilot operations in Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions. This STC also includes an option for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions for operators who do not use IFR. The upgrade is designed to improve pilot workload, situational awareness, and safety, making it an ideal solution for a variety of missions, including air ambulance, law enforcement, and utility operations.
"This is a major milestone for QAI Aviation and a significant step forward for EC135 operators," said Robert Sieber, President of QAI Aviation. "Our SPIFR solution addresses a critical need in the market, providing a cost-effective and reliable path for these aircraft to meet the demands of modern IFR operations. We are proud to offer a product that enhances both safety and mission capability.”
Key features of the STC'd modification include:
Reduced Crew Costs: The core benefit of the SPIFR STC is the ability to conduct IFR operations with only one pilot, immediately cutting crew expenses for every IFR flight.
Integrated Avionics Suite: A fully integrated glass cockpit solution featuring state-of-the-art displays and flight management systems like the GI 275.
Enhanced Situational Awareness: The new system provides pilots with a clear and concise view of flight and navigation data, reducing the risk of errors.
Maximize Efficiency: Single-pilot operations streamline crew scheduling and management, ensuring the aircraft is ready for deployment whenever critical care is needed, even in low-visibility or complex airspaces. The automation and simplified controls also allow the pilot to be more efficient, so they can focus on the mission at hand.
Increased Operational Flexibility: The SPIFR certification allows operators to fly in a wider range of weather conditions, expanding their mission capabilities and dispatch reliability.
5G Compliance: The SPIFR ensures the aircraft meets the latest 5G C-Band regulatory requirements.
QAI Aviation has a long-standing reputation for its expertise in aircraft avionics and maintenance and has worked closely with the FAA to ensure the modification meets the highest standards of safety and performance. The company is now accepting orders for the EC135 SPIFR upgrade and is prepared to begin installations immediately.
For more information on QAI Aviation's EC135 SPIFR Modification, stop by our booth B805 at VERTICON 2026.
ABOUT QAI:
QAI Aviation is an FAA-certified part 145 repair station. The company's capabilities include heavy maintenance, completions, avionics installations, upgrades, and repairs for fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft. QAI is located at the Allegheny County Airport (KAGC) in West Mifflin, PA., Rostraver Airport in Rostraver, PA., and has a sales office in White Oak, PA.
READ MORE ROTOR PRO: https://justhelicopters.com/Magazine
WATCH ROTOR PRO YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://buff.ly/3Md0T3y
You can also find us on
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rotorpro1
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rotorpro1
Twitter - https://twitter.com/justhelicopters
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/rotorpro