Paul Duffy/MOSCOW
A Russian research institute has developed a system to download flight data recorder (FDR) information instantly via a communication satellite.
The system, developed by the NTTs institute, has been tested on a Sukhoi Su-27, and is to be installed on two new Ilyushin Il-62Ms on order from new Russian carrier Rusavia. The aircraft are from a batch of five which have remained unsold after production ceased.
Rusavia general director Boris Likhachev, speaking at a conference in Budapest recently, said that access is available via two navigation satellites in place over Russia. Data can be downloaded to any of 127 ground stations.
Likhachev says the programme, in which Rusavia is a partner, could bring advantages such as real-time data being relayed to the operator's maintenance base, allowing spares to be quickly available and enabling the airline's training staff to monitor crew performance remotely.
Details remain scant, although it is said to be similar in concept to the VHF transmission capability of the Air Crew Addressing and Reporting System, but the satellite link will avoid any range limitations.
Source: Flight International
