Canada's AeroMechanical Services (AMS) says two US regional airlines are close to signing for the automated flight-data reporting services offered by its UpTime joint venture with Raytheon. The unidentified carriers, which operate Bombardier CRJs and Dash 8s, would be the first major customers for UpTime's real-time data monitoring and reporting service.
The service uses an automated flight information reporting system (AFIRS) developed by Calgary, Canada-based AMS. Installed in the aircraft, the AFIRS 200 unit monitors the fight-data recorder databus and records the data on a flash card for retrieval on the ground. At the same time, the "smart box" monitors the data and reports events in real-time via satellite communications to UpTime's data centre, which delivers the information to the operator via secure internet link.
UpTime owns the equipment and operators pay per flight hour for the service. AMS president Darryl Jacobs says the AFIRS, including UHF satcom antenna, can be installed overnight in a Dash 8. The company has systems installed on Dash 8s operated by the Alberta government and British Columbia-based Hawk Air. The latter are used to collect in-flight weather data for Environment Canada. The two US regionals are close to signing for fleet-wide installations.
UpTime will offer real-time condition monitoring of engines and auxiliary power units using SmartSignal's eCM software. Chicago-based SmartSignal has a Delta Air Lines contract to provide fleet-wide engine condition monitoring. Jacobs says AMS intends to embed the eCM software in the AFRIS unit, while SmartSignal is developing software to monitor aircraft systems. With the planned addition of two-way messaging, the AFIRS will allow operators to diagnose problems while the aircraft is in flight.
Source: Flight International
