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Press Release
Issued by FLYHT Aerospace Solutions.
October 9, 2011
AeroMechanical Services Ltd. ( the "Company"), through its FLYHTTM brand, offers real-time position and data streaming on business aircraft through its Automated Flight Information Reporting System ("AFIRSTM").
FLYHTStreamTM, a patent pending triggered position and data streaming mode of AFIRS, was first demonstrated in 2009 and is deployed on transport category aircraft operated by several of FLYHT's customers. FLYHTStream is now available for business aircraft as the result of a successful test program on a business aircraft.
FLYHT's next generation airborne system, the AFIRS 228, was installed and tested on HYPERLINK "http://www.flyht.com/2011/05/aeromechanical-services-announces-successful-afirs-228-demonstration-flight/" May 17, 2011, on a Hawker Beechcraft 750 aircraft in Chester, United Kingdom. Throughout a series of altitude, attitude, and speed changes, the test confirmed AFIRS capability to automatically and continuously stream flight data (FDR parameters) and 4D GPS position information even during extreme maneuvers (+/- 90 degree rolls), which normally would cause satcom links to be interrupted.
FLYHTStream utilizes AFIRS, the Iridium satellite constellation, and secure internet data delivery. If the aircraft is operating normally and then enters an abnormal condition, FLYHTStream is triggered in one of three ways; automatically, based on a pre-defined abnormal airborne event, such as an excessive pitch or roll, loss of engine or engines, cabin depressurization; by the crew using a single button push; or remotely from the ground over Iridium to AFIRS by authorized personnel. FLYHTStream is intended to be used primarily as a remote troubleshooting tool when abnormal situations are detected and report from the aircraft to ground support. However, its automated triggered transmission capability is ideally suited for alerting and tracking the aircraft during an emergency.
In July, the French Bureau d' Enquetes et d'Analyses ("BEA") accident investigation organization released an interim report on the Air France 447 incident that included 10 new Safety recommendations, including a recommendation that the International Civil Aviation Organization ("ICAO") and the European Aviation Safety Agency ("EASA") require triggered data transmission from an aircraft in flight in the near future (quote on page 81 of the HYPERLINK "http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2009/f-cp090601e3.en/pdf/f-cp090601e3.en.pdf" report).
"FLYHTStream has demonstrated triggered data streaming feasibility and technical maturity to the extent that a highly-respected international agency is confident in the benefits of triggered data transmission for the industry and traveling public," said Richard Hayden, president. "We are already working with a well-known business aviation operator who is interested in implementing FLYHTStream for both enhanced troubleshooting of remotely-based and in-flight aircraft and also to enhance their emergency response effectiveness".
FLYHTStream's capabilities for automated triggered position and data transmission, meet or exceed the intended requirements of the rule-making proposal of the BEA, including to automatically transmit the exact position of an aircraft and key black box data in real time with one second resolution from anywhere on the globe to designated IP addresses. FLYHT has accepted an invitation from the BEA to present FLYHTStream to ICAO at a special meeting in November.
AFIRS is the only certified and deployed system that has demonstrated the capability to deliver data from an aircraft's black box in real time. AFIRS' other functions include Iridium voice, 2-way texting, transmission of regular position and status messages, real-time alerts from abnormal events, EFB support, and fuel management. AFIRS uses the Iridium satellite network, and FLYHT is an Iridium partner and certified Value Added Reseller.
The AFIRS 220 which first deployed FLYHTstream has been operating on FLYHT's customers' commercial, military and business aircraft for over seven years with 25 Supplemental Type Certificates ("STCs") and over 35 customers globally. The first production release of FLYHT's next generation AFIRS 228 is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year, with numerous STCs to follow. When the full AFIRS 228 series is complete in early 2012, the AFIRS 228 family will be fully certified to provide safety services voice, data, text, and electronic flight bag ("EFB") integration, including support of ACARS over Iridium and FANS over Iridium. One version of the 228 - the 228U - will provide Link 2000+ Controller Pilot Datalink Communications ("CPDLC") compliance for some aircraft types and will be available before the EU deadlines. The AFIRS 228 will be the first safety services certified platform to provide real-time triggered data streaming.