Aircraft flight data management system
A flight data collection and transmission system includes a data interface for receiving digital flight data, means for formatting the data as a binary or text file, means for incorporating the data file into an email, means for transmitting the email using a communication system. A method of collecting and transmitting aircraft data includes the steps of receiving and storing digital flight data, creating a data file and transmitting the data as part of an email upon the happening of a defined event.
1. An aircraft data transmission system comprising:
(a) means for monitoring and collecting aircraft data;
(b) means for formatting the data or a portion of the data as a binary or text file;
(c) means for incorporating the binary or text file into an email message;
(d) means for transmitting the email; and
(e) communication means for carrying the email transmission to a ground station.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a GPS receiver.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the communication means comprises a satellite modem and transceiver.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for monitoring and collecting aircraft data comprises at least one aircraft databus interface.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the means for monitoring and collecting aircraft data further comprises at least one discrete input interface.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the binary or text file comprises a summary of the aircraft data or a portion of the aircraft data.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the means for formatting the data or a portion of the data as a binary or text file comprises means for encrypting the binary or text file.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for monitoring and collecting data comprises random access memory and a removeable non-volatile memory.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the removeable non-volatile memory comprises a solid-state memory card.
10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a rules database comprising a plurality of aircraft data conditions and related actions, means for monitoring aircraft data and comparing aircraft data to the rules database.