Provides First-Ever Internet-Enabled FDM Systems For US
Collegiate Flight Program
In a first for accredited collegiate flight training programs,
GA-FDM announced at the National Training Aircraft Symposium Monday
that Purdue University's Department of Aviation Technology is
factory-equipping its fleet of new Cirrus training aircraft with
GA-FDM's predictive Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) and recording
systems. The GA-FDM system, already used by corporate and air taxi
firms, is modeled on the FAA's Flight Operational Quality Assurance
(FOQA) program that has been so successful at the major airlines in
improving aviation safety and training, and reducing operational
costs.
The GA-FDM system provides a web-enabled Digital Flight Data
Recorder with built-in engine trend monitoring, embedded real-time
flight analysis, and automatic wireless transfer for uploads via
the Internet. At the conclusion of each flight, the system sends
flight summary emails to pilots and instructors, and automatically
uploads flight data and FDM/FOQA analysis results over the Internet
to GA-FDM's servers. Internet connectivity is key to enabling
Purdue faculty and students to conduct flight research, replays and
training, using the latest in embedded FDM/FOQA technology, right
from their desktop.
"Purdue stands at the industry forefront by embracing the safety
and training benefits of FDM for their pilot training and research
programs," said Brian Morrison, co-founder of GA-FDM. "Student
pilots and instructors use standard web browsers to access
near-real-time engine maintenance (MOQA) and flight (FOQA)
evaluation reports as soon as they land, and review safety reports,
operational and logbook data, Google Earth(TM) flight tracks, and
play back or simulate any flight from their desk or laptop
computer."
"A solid FDM program is a crucial part of risk management and
safety assurance at the core of our safety management systems,"
said Brent Bowen, Professor and Head of Purdue's Department of
Aviation Technology. "We feel it is important that our students
begin to be immersed in FDM and SMS from day one, so they are
well-prepared to enter the aviation industry as professional
pilots. Our students will train to be the best, safest pilots in
the history of general aviation. The data provided through these
technologies will form the core of the model aviation data center
being developed at Purdue. Data incorporated from the Cirrus fleet
and Phenom Very Light Jet training program will be utilized in all
three curricula of our aviation programs. Student and faculty
researchers will use this information for trend analysis never
before possible."
"Our approach underscores the philosophy 'Train like you fly;
fly like you train,' by enabling pilots to learn from each other's
experiences," said Scott Meacham, co-founder of GA-FDM. "We are
proud to be working closely with Purdue to bring all the benefits
of FDM to the student pilot curriculum, and to the future of
aviation."
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