Thu, Feb 03, 2011
System Records, Analyzes, And Automatically Reports FDM Results
For Operators
The FAA has issued an STC to Alakai Technologies for
installation of Alakai’s digital Flight Data Monitoring (FDM)
systems and wireless Internet units on Eurocopter AS350 and EC130
helicopters. There are some 4,000 AS350 currently in service with
police, forest service, oil exploration, flight-seeing and
emergency medical service (EMS) operators worldwide.
Alakai DFDS
The system gives AS350 operators access to airline-style FDM
(also known as Flight Operational Quality Assurance or FOQA)
programs at a fraction of the cost for airline systems. Alakai has
developed on-board and backend algorithms that turn mountains of
raw data into objective, actionable recommendations and decisions,
and the system works with older round-dial as well as the latest
glass cockpit aircraft.
The flight data monitoring company GA-FDM will immediately begin
offering the Alakai system to AS350 operators worldwide. GA-FDM
analyzes the volume of data produced from each flight to help
operators identify accident precursors, reduce risks, enhance
training, and reduce operating costs. Detailed FDM reports
highlight aircraft and pilot performance, guided by expert
suggestions for preventive and corrective measures. Customers
experience significant operational savings, including reduced fuel
and maintenance costs, safety improvements, enhanced training, and
lower insurance costs.
“We are excited to begin operational use in the AS350
fleet,” said Scott Meacham, co-founder of GA-FDM.
“Alakai’s equipment makes comprehensive FDM programs
affordable for single or small operators as well as large fleet
customers, and allows operators to use objective data, information
and knowledge to manage risk and assure continual safety
improvements in their operations. Flight Data Monitoring is a
critical component of every predictive and efficient Safety
Management System.”
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