OuterLink And PHI Lead the Industry with Lightweight Flight Data System

OuterLink And PHI Lead the Industry with Lightweight Flight Data System

26-Feb-2010 Source: Outerlink

OuterLink Corporation, a leading provider of satellite-based mobile asset management solutions, today announced the development and certification of a new, lightweight Flight Data System in conjunction with PHI, Inc.
OuterLink and PHI have taken the lead in addressing recent NTSB safety recommendations by jointly developing and certifying a comprehensive Flight Data System that collects and records voice, video and aircraft flight data. The OuterLink FDS incorporates the existing OuterLink Voice and Video Recorder (OVVR) with a new Multifunction Data Acquisition Unit (MFDAU) and Quick Access Recorder (QAR). The MFDAU is equipped with internal sensors capable of generating its own basic flight profile information as well as providing analog, digital and ARINC data inputs to acquire advanced engine and systems information. The system conforms to the latest DO-160 Rotorcraft Standards and is in the final stages of receiving an FAA STC on a PHI EC-135 aircraft.
Jeff Warner, VP of Sales and Marketing for OuterLink said, “As a manufacturer of aviation safety equipment from satellite communications to advanced mapping solutions, we saw a need to bring innovative ideas and technologies to the aviation industry. PHI has always been committed to leading the industry with cutting edge safety tools and equipment and this partnership is an extension of a solid relationship.” Lance Bospflug, Chief Operating Officer for PHI further added, ”We began our relationship with OuterLink in 2001 with the introduction of the CP-2 satcom system into the Gulf of Mexico in response to our need for a more robust flight following system as we moved further offshore. I am pleased to be able to continue this relationship and introduce new technology to PHI which strengthens our safety systems.
Warner explained that joint development of the Flight Data System enabled the two companies to create a product that satisfies two of the top four recent NTSB recommendations and has the flexibility to work in older analog aircraft as well as the newest digital airframes. “PHI has been instrumental in bringing this system to the market and helping us take the bold step of integrating the recorder into multiple aircraft systems,” he adds. “We are very fortunate to have PHI as a partner on this project. They are a forward thinking company with an extremely professional staff and we look forward to teaming with them on the integration with other airframes within their fleet.”
Jared Simon, PHI’s Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) Supervisor elaborates, “The OuterLink FDS will greatly enhance the insight into aspects of flight operations that can truly impact safety margins across the industry. Particularly in lightweight and legacy fleets, a device of this caliber and level of fidelity was non-existent or unpractical due to cost, weight or lack of data. This system addresses all three of these limitations and beyond with provisions for expansion. The fact that we have gone from concept to certification in about a year is truly remarkable.”
The OuterLink FDS allows customers to record 16GB of data and 16GB of voice and video on easily accessible SD cards in the QAR. All information is redundantly recorded on the crash resistant memory within the OVVR. The FDS also contains OuterLink’s Safety Matrix and Reporting Threshold (SMART) internal application that allows customers to develop event criteria based on multiple parameters and uses real-time monitoring and alerts via text message, email or satcom messaging. The OuterLink FDS has been integrated into OuterLink satcom system so that customers may utilize the innovative voice messaging, tracking and communication capabilities. Additional data, such as radar altimeter information, can be transmitted along with the standard 30 second interval position reports. “Whether installed as a stand-alone recorder or integrated with our satcom,” Warner concluded, “the FDS represents a huge leap in providing operators with a flexible system at a reasonable cost and weight.”
As part of the systems’ development, OuterLink and CAE Flightscape have teamed together to develop an interface that allows customers to use the comprehensive Flightscape Insight® suite of FOQA software as part of their Safety Management System (SMS). The CAE Flightscape Insight suite is an industry leader in flight data analysis and simulation. OuterLink also teamed with Flight Display Systems of Alpharetta, GA in certifying their FD600CAM-2 High Resolution Cockpit Camera as part of the Flight Data System.
About OuterLink
Outerlink Corporation is a leading provider of satellite-based mobile asset management solutions for mission-critical applications. The company develops advanced asset tracking devices and software and provides engineering and integration services for enterprise-level fleet management.
Outerlink’s satellite-based mobile asset management solutions provide secure, real-time location tracking and satellite communications capability including two-way messaging to strategically manage the operations of air, land and marine vehicles.
Based in Lowell Massachusetts, Outerlink is a private, venture backed company. For more information visit: www.outerlink.com

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