Flexjet and GE Partner to Launch Immediate Wireless Flight Data Transmission and Collection Program Fleet-Wide
- Flexjet is first and only fractional provider to implement this groundbreaking technology fleet-wide
- Software was customized to Flexjet’s specifications
- Flight data analyst team added to Flexjet’s Flight Safety Department
CLEVELAND–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Flexjet LLC, a leading global provider of fractional jet ownership, today announced a major upgrade and expansion to its flight data monitoring capabilities. In partnership with GE Aviation, Flexjet’s entire US-based fleet will transmit flight data wirelessly and instantly upon touchdown. This initiative will strengthen the company’s safety management system and makes Flexjet the only US-based fractional provider to apply this cutting-edge technology fleet-wide.
The flight operations quality assurance (FOQA), quick access recorders (QARs) and cellular data services were created by GE Aviation, which uses the Industrial Internet to provide business intelligence and actionable insight to continuously improve an airline’s overall level of safety. Operators that adopt FOQA are better able to identify and eliminate potential safety hazards in flight operations.
Flexjet’s long-range large-cabin aircraft always have been equipped with data recorders. Prior to this advancement, data from those recorders was collected manually by a trained technician, analyzed and applied to safety protocol. This new program collects data across the entire Flexjet fleet of aircraft immediately after each touchdown, enabling real-time analysis by Flexjet’s new data analyst team, which was trained by GE. The results will inform future safety protocol, pilot training and will bolster the company’s already robust and award-winning maintenance program.
The process to integrate this into Flexjet’s overall safety management system (SMS) has been ongoing long before the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) added it to its list of the Top 10 Most Wanted Transportation Safety Improvements for 2017-18. In addition, this type of flight data management system goes above and beyond Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
“We were able to customize the QAR firmware to include Flexjet-specific flight events by using the roughly 4.5 million data points collected per wireless transmission that the equipment sends immediately after landing of every flight,” said Flexjet Chief Safety Officer Todd Anguish, who also has worked as a pilot, a flight instructor and an Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic for nearly 27 years. “The comprehensive data we can gather instantly allows us to ensure safer operation of our fleet with real-time Flight Data Monitoring to address any potential flight safety concerns immediately.”
“By combining GE’s experience in flight safety analysis and flight analytics with wireless mini-QAR technology from our Avionica joint venture, we will help Flexjet to advance its fleet with the latest flight safety analysis techniques in the airline environment,” said John Mansfield, chief digital officer for GE Aviation.
This is the largest implementation of GE’s wireless flight data management system to date.
About GE Aviation
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines, avionics, digital solutions and electrical power systems for aircraft. GE is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.geaviation.com/digital
About Flexjet
Flexjet first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing. Flexjet’s fractional aircraft program is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 20 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating and is IS-BAO compliant at Level 2. Flexjet’s fractional program fields an exclusive array of business aircraft—some of the youngest in the fractional jet industry, with an average age of approximately six years. In 2015, Flexjet introduced Red Label by Flexjet, which features the youngest fleet in the industry, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are more than 25 different interior designs across its fleet, which includes the Challenger 350, the Embraer Legacy 450, Global Express, the Gulfstream G450, G500 and G650, and the Aerion AS2 supersonic business jets. In addition, the overall jet collection includes the Embraer Phenom 300 and Bombardier Challenger 300. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com or follow us on Twitter @Flexjet and on Instagram @FlexjetLLC.
Contacts
Nicholas Parmelee
The Hubbell Group, Inc.
216-406-5602 (cell)
781-878-8882 (office)
[email protected]
This article published with permission from Business Wire
