David Learmount/ LONDON
SPAR AEROSPACE is to market the "virtual-reality" safety-incident analysis system developed by Canada's National Research Council (NRC). The Canadian Company says that almost all the major North American carriers are showing significant interest (Flight International, 5-11 July).
Spar Applied Systems is to develop the NRC's Aircraft Data Acquisition Analysis and Presentation System (ADAAPS) for commercial use.
Spar says that the ADAAPS can accept data which has been downloaded from flight-data recorders (FDRs) and quick-access recorders and turn it into on-screen, visible, real-time three-dimensional, "virtual-reality" information, making incidents much easier to understand and analyse.
The on-screen information also includes the flight deck instrument panel, with readings synchronised to the "virtual" aircraft's flight profile. Cockpit-voice recorder (CVR) playback can also be superimposed and radar, air traffic control and mapping services data can be entered for ADAAPS presentation, the company added.
Spar, a manufacturer of FDRs and CVRs, says: "Historically, the wealth of information generated by these [FDRs and CVRs] is drastically under-utilised." The ADAAPs brings the data to life, enabling it to be used as an accident-investigation tool, or a pilot-training aid for airlines applying advanced qualification or flight-operations quality- assurance programmes.
"NRC has developed and created a flight-occurrence playback, reconstruction and simulation capability rivaling that available anywhere in the world," claims Spar, and names Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and USAir as potential customers so far. The company says that it has yet to extend its marketing campaign beyond North America.
Source: Flight International
