Story ID: 418SatcomDirectFlightLog
SD FlightLog Automates Data Capture and Processing
By: Charles Alcock
Caption: Satcom Direct’s new electronic flight data log runs through its FlightDeck Freedom datalink service.
Word Count: 590
Satcom Direct launched a Web-based electronic flight data log with advanced features that it says set the product apart from existing paperless flight log solutions. The SD FlightLogs product is run through the Florida-based company’s FlightDeck Freedom datalink service and automatically tracks all aircraft movement events, tagging block times from the flight management system data. Having captured the data, the system calculates and records cycle events while documenting all in-flight information leg-by-leg.

The main advantage of introducing this degree of automation is to reduce the amount of time flight crew spend manually inputting data. Manual data entry is still required for some fields and the system will alert crew when manual entry fields have missing or inconsistent data. In fact, users are able to make changes to any data (whether automatically or manually logged) before leg verification. All information is stored in Satcom Direct’s secure data center.

According to Darrell Herrera, Satcom Direct’s product manager for flight deck services, around 90 percent of Part 91 operators are still using paper flight logs. The company has yet to confirm a price for using SD FlightLogs, which will be offered as an add-on service for FlightDeck Freedom on a per aircraft basis.

SD FlightLogs promises all members of an operations team, real-time access to all flight data. They can access information from three primary menus: fleet overview, trip list and trip details, giving them the option of choosing a summary of data or opting to look at certain items in a lot of detail for each leg of a trip.

“Pilots are often out of synch with their airplanes,” commented Herrera, pointing out that by automating the collection of data, SD FlightLogs overcomes the likelihood of human error compromising the accuracy of data recording. “Because the system is Web-based there is no hardware or software, and we’re working directly with the avionics provided by OEMs.”

The system, which is compatible for use with a variety of mobile devices, will be able to relay total flight and cycle time information to manufacturers and other vendors supporting aircraft, such as maintenance providers. It can be integrated with third-party maintenance and scheduling software.

Flight data can be captured and stored for the whole life of an aircraft, including verification of all legs and trips. The system can issue smart alerts when operational inconsistencies are found.

SD FlightLogs will work on any aircraft that has a datalink-capable cockpit and is covered by a FlightDeck Freedom subscription. Information can be relayed via multiple input sources, such as SwiftBroadband or Yonder position data, or ASDI/FAA data. Other data can be streamed from the aircraft’s avionics suite through datalinks reports, with Satcom Direct having developed its own logic to automate the capture of data points.

The information is transmitted via Inmarsat and/or Iridium satellite datalink communications or VHF datalink communications. Once all input data points are validated from the system’s movement reports database they are captured and displayed.

This evening from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Satcom Direct (Booth C10134) will host an SD FlightLogs Fiesta for its FlightDeck Freedom customers. This will include live demonstrations of the new system.

Here at the NBAA show, Satcom Direct is rolling out a new logo and branding identity to emphasize that is now offers more than just satellite communications capability. Increasingly, the company will start referring to itself as “SD” and “Global Connectivity.”