[Avionics Today May 20, 2014] Teledyne Controls has announced a new technology that connects commercial tablets and flight crew devices with an aircraft’s onboard data communications systems, the WGL-AID.
The El Segundo, Calif.-based aerospace and defense manufacturer said the WGL-AID is an extension of its existing Wireless GroundLink System (WGL Comm+), enabling airline maintenance engineers to connect their tablets to the WGL Comm+ unit. This unit is usually used as a Wireless Quick Access Recorder (WQAR) to achieve off-aircraft communication and access to avionics data as well as interfacing with Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting Systems (ACARS).
“The technology not only helps to co-ordinate and manage information across tablets, but it also provides on-aircraft data storage, eliminates manual data entry errors, and provides internet access while on the ground,” said Murray Skelton, director of business development at Teledyne Controls.
Airlines that already have the WGL Comm+ can enable the WGL-AID function with a software upgrade from Teledyne.