VOLGA-DNEPR AIRLINES PATENTS NEW SAFETY SYSTEM

January 28, 2003. Ulyanovsk, Russia. Volga-Dnepr Airlines has patented an invention which is able to record, store, transfer, process and analyze flight-data recorder information for the Antonov An-124-100. The system was developed by Gregory Kuznetsov the Head of the Airline Flight Data Analysis Group.

Flight safety is accorded a high priority by Volga-Dnepr and the airline makes extensive use of the analyzed data accumulated by the flight recorders. The previous system of flight data recording on cassettes was problematic on lengthy multi-leg charters with the problem of the timely transfer of the data tapes to base for analysis. The airline experts set a goal to establish an efficient system to accumulate and transmit information, as well as to enable express analysis and check data on both operating techniques and the technical condition of the aircraft.

Volga-Dnepr experts united together in one system the most advanced existing ideas and practices in that field. As the result every An-124-100 aircraft is now furnished with a Personal Computer and interface adapter unit to facilitate quick data feed-in from the flight data recorder ("black box") into the computer.

The information is "E-Mailed" to the base by the crew after aircraft landing enables instant flight analysis and estimation of the technical condition of the aircraft's equipment and systems irrespective of the aircraft's location throughout the world.

The system is now in operation with Volga-Dnepr Airlines and the company's Flight Data Analysis Group has interpreted 95% of all An-1214-100 flights performed in 2002 whereas the relevant standard requirement of the Russian State Civil Aviation Authority is 90%.

The new system has become a reliable tool for obtaining flight data. Its efficiency and role in enhancing flight safety is highly regarded by national and international aviation organizations and airlines.