Blue Sky Network (Booth B3424) is now integrating additional telemetry unit (ATU) data to its hardware and software solutions.
This includes incorporating Olympic Aero Services’ Series 606 ATU into Blue Sky's SkyRouter. The FAA-approved ATU records firefighting data and sends it to a remote portal via the firefighting aircraft’s automated flight following (AFF) system. U.S. Forest Service 2018 regulations require firefighting helicopters to collect ATU data and transmit it to state and national regulators through an AFF device.
Required data to be reported in the AFF format includes tank or bucket openings and closings, gallons filled and dropped, events with GPS data, time, latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, and heading. ATU data can now be integrated with Blue Sky software and hardware and transmitted via the Iridium satellite network to the AFF’s central fire suppression database.
The Series 606 ATU supports helicopter aerial firefighting operations for both airframe-mounted water tanks or water buckets. Current Blue Sky Network D1000 customers will have access to the ATU firmware upgrade for free. Blue Sky also offers the 606 ATU for purchase. The system integrates with the HawkEye 7200A aircraft tracking system.