Star Navigation Systems… Black Box Betterment

[SatNews] Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd. has introduced the new and improved STAR-ISMS(tm) In Flight Safety Monitoring System, the ideal counterpart to the “black box” and a quantum leap in aerospace safety technology.

Most people are familiar with the “black box”, the near indestructible sealed recording device that assists investigators in determining the cause(s) of an aircraft accident. What isn’t as well known is that not only are black boxes not the complete solution, but by their very nature, they are designed to indicate problems after they have already occurred, much too late to help the pilots and passengers. A real-time counterpart to traditional black boxes is needed and Star Navigation has answered the call. Star Navigation’s In Flight Monitoring Service, first introduced in 2005, was a quantum leap ahead in aerospace safety and monitoring technology. It performed all of the functions of black boxes while providing current information to pilots and ground controllers, giving the ability to note any anomalies and to nip problems in the bud. The improved STAR-ISMS In Flight Safety Monitoring System provides both real-time and after-landing reports, intelligent flight data transmission, plus more detailed live flight data alerts through the efficient use of leading edge satellite-based technology.

One of the main features of the new STAR-ISMS is its built in GPS tracking softwarethat enables more accurate tracking of an equipped airplane to the last known latitude, and longitude. It also boasts improved accuracy and the ability to instantly provide an aircraft’s exact altitude, heading and airspeed. The essential avionics and diagnostic information collected by the STAR-ISMS is transmitted at operator defined intervals or triggered events, via satellite, to ground-based installations in real time regardless of weather conditions. As well, Star’s on-board hardware and software will independently analyze all selected incoming sensor and systems data and compare it with normal parameters — any deviation is noted and an alert is sent out if necessary. In the event of multiple failures, the automated “Mayday” feature commences an immediate “data dump”, sending as much information as bandwidth will allow. It can be said that STAR-ISMS opens a “virtual window” into the in-flight operation of a commercial aircraft.

The utility of the improved STAR-ISMS doesn’t end once a plane has landed. All monitored in-flight data is recorded and stored for later review, and detailed reports are automatically generated, providing operators with useful information that can be used to streamline procedures and institute economies on future flights. These detailed reports are created mere minutes after an aircraft lands. One especially noteworthy feature of the STAR-ISMS™ is that the information it notes and records can be used by airline ground crews to plan maintenance scheduling, monitor aging equipment, even predict the possibility of hardcore failure due to material stress and fatigue. In effect, the STAR-ISMS™ acts as an “early warning system” for a host of potentially catastrophic equipment failures while reducing the frequency of expensive and time-consuming unscheduled maintenance and passenger delays. The STAR-ISMS has been designed to be fully upgradable so that operators can improve their safety and monitoring capabilities while boosting operational efficiencies.

While the nexgen safety and monitoring technology featured in the STAR-ISMS In Flight Safety Monitoring System is not meant to replace airline black boxes, its use alongside them adds an extra level of safety that can be counted on to save time, money, and most importantly lives. The STAR-ISMS In Flight Safety Monitoring System uses proprietary, patented Canadian technology and Star owns the exclusive world-wide license to this technology. Certified by Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration, STAR-ISMS has been extensively tested and fully developed during normal commercial aviation settings and is now ready for deployment on the world’s aviation fleets.