The US Federal Aviation Administration has approved Aero-Instruments’ 0851HL-AI Pitot Probe for Airbus.

Pitot probes are primary air-speed sensing components on aircraft and are designed with integrated electrical heaters to prevent icing.

Aero-Instruments’ Pitot Probe can be installed on over 4,500 Airbus A318, A319, A320, A321, A330 and A340 series in-service planes.

The firm’s speed sensors achieved manufacturer’s approval after 18 months of testing.

The approval will allow Aero-Instruments to supply replacement Pitot and Pitot-Static Probes for after-market installation on the majority of aircraft.

Airbus and the European Aviation Safety Agency recently urged airlines to replace existing Thales Pitots on Airbus aircraft A330 and A340 jets with the Goodrich version.