Hardware-Software Solution for Using Patented FDT System in Small Planes

Background:

In the field of aviation safety and accident investigation, the collection and analysis of flight data are critical for understanding incidents and improving operational standards. Large commercial aircraft are typically equipped with advanced avionics and flight data tracking systems that record comprehensive information about each flight, enabling detailed post-incident analysis and proactive health monitoring. However, small aircraft, which make up a significant portion of the global fleet, often lack the sophisticated flight control computers and integrated data management systems found in their larger counterparts. This gap in technology presents a significant challenge for regulators, operators, and investigators who rely on accurate and survivable flight data to enhance safety, comply with recommendations from bodies like the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and support accident investigations. Current approaches to flight data collection in small aircraft are limited by both hardware and software constraints. Many small planes are equipped with digital flight data recorders that output data using ARINC-standard protocols, but the absence of complex avionics infrastructure means that this data is not easily accessible or usable for real-time monitoring or advanced analytics. Existing solutions often require expensive, proprietary systems or extensive retrofitting that is neither cost-effective nor practical for small operators. Additionally, the survivability and accessibility of recorded data in the event of a crash remain problematic, as traditional recorders may not be robust enough or may not support timely data extraction and transmission. These limitations hinder the ability to implement comprehensive safety monitoring, delay accident investigations, and ultimately restrict the broader adoption of advanced flight data tracking technologies in the general aviation sector.

Technology Overview:

This technology is a comprehensive hardware-software platform that enables advanced flight data tracking in small aircraft lacking complex avionics systems. It utilizes a commercial interface to convert data bus signals from a flight data recorder into USB data streams. These streams are then processed by a single-board computer. The processed data is transmitted on demand and encrypted to cloud storage, where virtual machines can conduct health checks and further analysis. This modular system is designed to work with existing digital flight data recorders, making it broadly applicable to small aircraft fleets. What differentiates this solution is its ability to bring the sophisticated data tracking and survivability features of large commercial aircraft to smaller planes, which typically lack the necessary avionics infrastructure. Its modular design ensures easy integration with a variety of aircraft and data recorders, while cloud connectivity allows for real-time analytics and robust on demand encrypted data transmission and storage. The system’s reliance on proven middleware and previously SUNY-patented data tracking technology ensures high reliability and interoperability. This approach directly addresses regulatory and investigative needs for improved crash survivability and operational analytics in general aviation, setting it apart from traditional, less adaptable flight data solutions.

Advantages:

• Enables advanced flight data tracking in small aircraft lacking complex avionics systems
• Uses commercial off-the-shelf hardware for cost-effective and modular implementation
• Supports on demand encrypted wireless and wired transmission of processed data to cloud storage for further analysis
• Enhances flight data survivability and crash investigation capabilities for small planes
• Facilitates health monitoring and operational analytics
• Improves aviation safety compliance for small aircraft operators and regulatory agencies
• Scalable and adaptable solution compatible with existing flight data recorders

  Applications:

  • Small aircraft flight data monitoring
  • Crash investigation data retrieval
  • Real-time aircraft health checks
  • Cloud-based flight analytics

    Intellectual Property Summary:

    Patent Pending

    Stage of Development:

    TRL 3
    

    Licensing Status:

    This technology is available for licensing.