FAA Certifies Alakai's Engine Trend Monitoring for Cirrus Models

The FAA issued a STC (supplemental type certificate) to Alakai Technologies Corporation for installing its ETMS (engine trend monitoring system) on Cirrus SR20s and SR22s. The certification also applies to Alakai's DFDS (digital flight data recording system) software which, when combined with the ETMS, effectively provides the aircraft with an inflight data recorder, currently not required on aircraft with fewer than 10 seats.

The company first announced this development program in October last year.

Alakai's ETMS monitors the aircraft's piston engine in real time and automatically creates an electronic record, to enhance accuracy and consistency from flight to flight, and pilot to pilot, by replacing manual procedures.  The system also can provide trend and exceedance analysis, available on Web-accessible forecasting graphs, that can identify potential engine and performance problems, and produce flight visualization files for training or playback purposes.  And, of course, its flight data recording capability can assist with accident investigations.  All of these things should enable operators to reduce operating costs, warranty costs, and potentially, even insurance premiums, Alakai believes.

Alakai developed the ETMS for SATSair, which currently flies SR22s in point-to-point, air taxi operations under Federal Aviation Part 135 regulations. SATSair has placed orders for 26 Alakai systems, with an option for 100 more.  03-24-2007.

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