European Flight School Adds ‘Black Boxes’ to 35 Training Aircraft

A European flight school is adding flight data recorders to 35 training aircraft to improve flight tracking, safety analysis and student debriefs.

FlyBy Aviation Academy
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Spanish flight school, FlyBy Aviation Academy, is equipping 35 of its training aircraft with advanced flight data recorders from FlyData.io.
  • These recorders track various real-time performance metrics like position, altitude, airspeed, and G-loads, while also recording sound and cabin carbon monoxide levels.
  • The technology aims to significantly enhance post-flight debriefing for students and instructors, improve overall fleet safety, and facilitate incident investigations.
  • This deployment positions FlyBy as one of the first flight training organizations in Spain and Europe to implement this technology across a fleet at such a scale.
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A Spanish flight school is equipping 35 training aircraft with flight data recorders that can track and record aircraft performance in real time.

FlyBy Aviation Academy has signed an agreement with FlyData.io to install the company’s flight data recorders across part of its fleet. Installation began this month, according to the companies.

The equipment is designed to function much like a flight data recorder on an airliner, although it is intended for general aviation aircraft. It records data including position, altitude, airspeed, pitch, bank angle, G-loads and vibration. The system also records sound and cabin carbon monoxide levels and provides live aircraft tracking.

The recorded information can be used after a flight to review the aircraft’s flight path and performance. FlyData.io says its system can reconstruct an abnormal flight or incident in three dimensions within minutes.

For flight training, the data gives instructors another tool for post-flight debriefing. Instead of relying only on a student’s recollection of a maneuver or flight, instructors can review recorded flight-path and performance information with the student.

FlyBy said the system will also give its operations and safety teams more information about the fleet. The academy’s safety manager said access to high-frequency flight data can help identify risks and support incident investigations.

The installation makes FlyBy the first flight training organization in Spain, and one of the first in Europe, to deploy the technology across a fleet at this scale, according to the company. It is also the largest contract by aircraft count for FlyData.io to date.

FlyBy operates a fleet of more than 45 aircraft, including Cessna 172s, Piper PA-28s, Tecnam P2008s, P2006Ts and other training aircraft. The academy is based in Spain and provides EASA-approved pilot training.

Amelia Walsh

Amelia Walsh is a private pilot who enjoys flying her family’s Columbia 350. She is based in Colorado and loves all things outdoors including skiing, hiking, and camping.
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