Meeting Focused On Flight Data Recovery And Aircraft Locator Technologies

FLYHT Aerospace Solutions presented its Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) and FLYHTStream technologies at the NTSB's public Emerging Flight Data & Locator Technology Forum in Washington, DC, on October 7th to the NTSB acting Chairman Chris Hart.

FLYHT's Director of Strategic Programs, Richard Hayden (pictured), was among a select group of representatives from industry, government and international organizations who discussed the merits and challenges of implementing and deploying innovative flight data recovery and aircraft locator technologies. The stated objective of the NTSB was fact-finding in advance of a possible recommendation for a regulation to require improved tracking and data transmission capabilities on transport aircraft. The meeting was motivated by the AF447 and MH370 tragedies that demonstrated the inadequacies of existing technology.

"FLYHT is pursuing every opportunity to offer its expertise and participate in the industry discussion on the future of aircraft tracking, real-time data streaming and communications," stated FLYHT President, Matt Bradley. "We have an internationally-recognized data streaming technology that is available to the industry now and are committed to advocating for its full implementation."

Regulatory panelists at the conference included senior representatives from the FAA, EASA, and the ICAO. Other invitees included representatives from Airbus, Boeing, L-3 Communications Corporation, Honeywell, Inmarsat, DRS Technologies Canada Ltd., American Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association ("ALPA").

"This forum represents a significant step forward in the complex process of global adoption of enhanced capabilities for aircraft tracking and data transmission" said Hayden. "FLYHT's inclusion on the Technology Panel as the only current provider of a fielded solution is an honor and an important opportunity to explain the benefits and readiness of our technology. We were able to explain that although operators buy AFIRS to realize everyday operational benefits, the FLYHTStream mode is a latent capability of AFIRS that also provides the three key functions required during an emergency--automated alerting, enhanced position reporting, and triggered transmission of essential flight data. We have already been invited to be part of the international working groups that will map out recommendations for implementation."

FMI: www.flyht.com