Guardian Mobility today announced that they have signed a binding Letter of Intent to acquire Alakai Technologies, the company that introduced Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) and Engine Trend Monitoring (ETM) systems to a broad aviation market. Combined with Guardian’s open platform satellite communications system and advanced web portal, aircraft operators now have access to greater capabilities at a fraction of the cost compared to airline systems costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The combination of Alakai’s and Guardian’s technology will allow Guardian to provide fixed- and rotary-wing operators with unprecedented air transport level Flight Data Monitoring (FDM), professional analysis and management. This includes satellite tracking and communications providing for real-time exception notification and automated logs in one bundled service providing a complete Fleet Management Solution.

Alakai, founded by Brian Morrison, has been extremely successful with corporate flight departments and air-taxi firms and has launched FDM/ETM into the pilot training market with such notables as Purdue University. Guardian Mobility has provided the regional airline and utility helicopter markets with real time flight tracking and communication and is approved by government agencies for Automated Flight Following (AFF). While the two companies have cooperated in the past, this acquisition will provide greater value to the combined customer base through the close integration of their complementary monitoring and communications systems.

The new system can sample and record 80 to 200 flight and engine parameters for all aircraft, and performs embedded FDM and ETM throughout the flight. The data is stored within the system until the aircraft lands and the data is then transferred via wireless or broadband networks to a server for immediate replay, reporting and analysis. The system also uses a satellite communications network for real-time satellite tracking and the reporting of flight and engine parameter exceptions. This will provide aircraft operators with the capability to implement full Flight Operations Quality Assuranc e (FOQA) and Maintenance Operations Quality Assurance(MOQA) as part of a Safety Management System (SMS), which are now being mandated by many regulatory agencies around the world.

Howard Pearl, President and CEO of Guardian Mobility said: “What a game changer this is! We are providing a suite of tools that allow aviation managers to gain access to critical management metrics while creating safer operations. Our goal is to continue to add capabilities and sophisticated tools that give our operators a significant edge in flight operations management to improve their bottom line and safety.”

Brian Morrison, President of Alakai Technologies said: “We are thrilled to combine our proven flight data monitoring technology with Guardian’s unique communications and data management systems. The synergy will allow small and medium sized aircraft operators to benefit from tools that were previously only available to the larger airlines.”

Guardian Mobility, pioneers of AFF, is now the leading provider of cost effective, combined FDM/ETM, tracking and communication solutions.

About Guardian Mobility
Guardian Mobility is the provider of global tracking, voice and data communications along with management solutions to the aviation marketplace. Guardian has developed a full range of products and services targeted at assisting aircraft operators increase safety and efficiency, reduce costs and improve reporting. Guardian introduced the first portable GPS tracking device in 2002, delivering location and status information, and has since developed solutions to facilitate 2-way text messaging and automatic data communications between the aircraft and the ground. Guardian’s products are approved for government-mandated Automatic Flight Following (AFF) and are used by fleet operators worldwide.