CAPACG, AvConnect Analyzed Garmin G1000 Data Using Advance
Cloud-Based Tool
The the first-ever detailed analysis of Garmin G1000 flight data
for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) has been completed
by CAPACG and AvConnect. This study is one task associated with a
multifaceted, FAA-funded research project – entitled the
General Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing Research
Project – through the Center for General Aviation
Research. The ultimate goal of this project is to
improve the safety and efficiencies of light aircraft operating in
the National Airspace System.
The primary research objective of this specific task was to
determine the feasibility of Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) event
analysis using recorded Garmin G1000 flight data in a collegiate
flight-training environment. The data-logging feature of the G1000
avionics system records 64 parameters once every second without the
addition of a costly lightweight aircraft recording system. Garmin
and other manufacturers are beginning to include data-logging
features in many new integrated avionics systems. According to
CAPACG CEO Larry McCarroll, “the outcome of this research
further validates the strength of thoughtful flight data analysis
and the capabilities of emerging technologies – both airborne
and ground-based – to improve flight safety.”
Event analysis compared recorded flight data to pre-defined FDM
events covering both flight safety and maintenance events. For this
study, event analysis required the development of a new software
tool to parse over 4,000 flight hours of data. CAPACG and AvConnect
collaborated on the development of a new cloud-based computing and
storage system for all of the research data. The production version
of the AvConnect analysis tool has the capability of processing
over 100 hours of flight data/sec.
Cessna 182 Garmin 1000 Panel
Following the completion of the project, the companies signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a cloud-based flight
data analysis tool specifically for aircraft fleets equipped with
Garmin G1000 and other integrated flight decks. The partnership
began in late 2011 specifically for the ERAU project.
CAPACG President Scott Meacham said, “The ERAU research
project formed the basis for a great partnership with AvConnect and
identified a need for an analysis tool to process large quantities
of flight data from current and future technically advanced
aircraft types.” AvConnect CEO Erik Murrey adds, “this
agreement joins two companies that complement each other very well
– AvConnect has a solid track record of managing large
volumes of flight data very quickly in the cloud, while CAPACG is a
pioneer in developing processes and tools to analyze airplane and
helicopter flight data to economically enhance safety, maintenance,
operations and training.”
CAPACG’s FlyteAnalytics product – powered by
AvConnect – will allow fleet operators of Garmin G1000 and
other glass cockpit-equipped aircraft to employ proactive flight
data monitoring programs without the added expense, weight or
downtime associated with installing lightweight aircraft recording
systems (LARS). In most cases, FlyteAnalytics will be more capable
than existing LARS products.
As an example, the Cessna 172 equipped with the Garmin
data-logging feature records 64 parameters at a rate of once/sec.
FlyteAnalytics is easily adaptable to other platforms such as the
Garmin G1000HTMequipped Bell 407GX (the optional GDL59H enables
Wi-Fi connectivity). Currently, FlyteAnalytics has been programmed
with algorithms to analyze flight data from Cessna 172/182/206,
Cirrus SR20/22, Diamond DA40/42 and Piper single and multiengine
aircraft. The production version of the AvConnect analysis tool has
the capability of processing over 100 hours of flight data/sec.