Honeywell Helicopter Software Gets New FDM App

Honeywell’s Sky Connect software for helicopters has a new iPad app. Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin

Honeywell has introduced a new flight data monitoring (FDM) iPad application for helicopter operators equipped with Sky Connect Tracker III systems. Operators can use the Sky Connect flight data monitoring app to configure the Tracker III flight data alerting and recording systems, which support safety programs aligned with new helicopter air ambulance regulations.

Sky Connect flight data monitoring allows ground maintenance and operations teams to easily download and view recorded flight data on their iPads. This collected data can then be used in third-party software to identify maintenance issues before they become problems — reducing aircraft downtime and increasing mission availability. Streamlined data collection for trend analytics also aids an operator’s safety management system. For air ambulance operators, this enhancement will help to ensure compliance with the new FAA mandate for flight data monitoring, effective April 2018. Similar industry recommendations are driving adoption of FDM capabilities for rotorcraft in the offshore oil and gas industry.

Sky Connect FDM works with any aircraft equipped with an FDM-enabled Tracker III system. Sky Connect Tracking System uses the Iridium satellite network’s voice, tracking and messaging functions to deliver mission management capabilities that improve operations. The addition of enhanced FDM capabilities to Tracker III makes it easy for current Sky Connect customers to upgrade earlier systems. In most cases, the existing Iridium antenna, wiring and mounting location can be used.

The Sky Connect FDM app is available now for a free download at Apple’s App Store.

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