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| Date: 20 May, 2005 |
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has achieved its first modification/upgrade success on third-party aircraft with the award of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of a Quick Access Recorder (QAR) on the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprop airliner.
Leading UK carrier FlyBe approached Regional Aircraft for an engineering solution covering a QAR installation across its fleet of both BAe 146s and Dash 8 Q400s.
Using lean management processes sponsored through Scottish Enterprise, Regional Aircraft was able to engineer a highly cost-effective solution to meet FlyBe’s needs. As a result, FlyBe has ordered modification kits from Regional Aircraft for its Dash 8Q400 fleet and the certificated installation is now available to all operators of Dash 8 Q400s.
Under JAR airworthiness requirements European airlines have had to implement a Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) programme from 1 January, 2005.This requires Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data to be downloaded on a regular basis as part of an accident prevention and flight safety programme. However, current FDR download procedures can take many hours, rendering them an impractical solution.
The Regional Aircraft solution is to use off-the-shelf equipment supplied by Avionica, a Miami-based aviation data-analysis company (Avionica miniQAR and secureLink wireless router) and integrate it into the Dash 8 Q400. This modification allows the seamless transfer of FDR data without human intervention. The data is initially saved in the miniQAR. Once the aircraft is on the ground the data is transferred to the secureLink wireless router and transmitted via antenna to the airline’s computer network.
The miniQAR can collect and store up to 3,000 hours of flight data, is cost-effective, reliable, easy to install and lightweight. The secureLink wireless router can transfer half an hour of flight data per second.
For the BAe 146, Regional Aircraft offers both the miniQAR from Avionica and also a QARs from L3 to give a choice of QAR supplier to meet customers’ fleet requirements.
Building on this Dash 8 Q400 success, Regional Aircraft is now looking to work closely with current customers to engineer modification and upgrade solutions through STCs to other regional and mainline airliner types that are operated alongside BAE Systems aircraft.
About BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft
BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft is responsible for Customer Support, Engineering and Asset Management activities covering a world-wide base of 160 customers operating over 1,100 aircraft in addition to managing a trading and leasing portfolio of some 350 aircraft.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE SYSTEMS is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, fighting vehicles, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.
BAE SYSTEMS has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately £12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.
BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.
For further information contact:
David Dorman, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0)1582 488336 Fax: +44 (0)1582 488447 ddaviddorman@aol.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 1252 384695 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com
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