FADEC System Maturing, Now E-Capable

For builders and pilots of kit helicopters, the idea of a flight-data recorder might, at first, seem a little exotic. But one that can actually download information on the internet and, in the process, re-tune the engine?

That's the idea behind Rotorway's Fully Automated Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) System.

"Eventually, that's the idea," says Rotorway's Customer Service Chief, Tom Smith. It's the bleeding-edge of helicopter electronics in at $65,000 kitplane.

Smith says, right now, the FADEC system on board the Exec-162F can indeed exchange data with the factory - but only from a certified service center or dealer. "You have to have the same software on both ends of the modem," Smith explains. "We're not sure we want to distribute that to the customers yet." After all, it is proprietary.

Remote Tune-Up

First tested in 1999, the FADEC-Internet interface allowed a test pilot in Nigeria to send data to the factory from his laptop. The factory then sent back instructions to the onboard computers modifying engine performance... giving the helicopter's engine a tune-up right there in the field, thousands of miles away.

This development enables the company to provide an even higher level of customer service than even most certified aircraft can do," said Brent Marshall, Vice President of Sales.

And A Flight Data Recorder, Too?
Now How Much Would You Pay?

"The FADEC system includes a computer and an identical backup, both contained in a reinforced steel enclosure," Smith said at the Rotorway Booth, part of the Heli-Expo in Dallas this week. The boxes hold four hours worth of flight data - "mostly engine monitoring information" - which makes it a sort of flight data recorder that can be used to analyze information in the event of a mishap.

"FADEC will continue to improve," Smith said, although he acknowledged the limited amount of money behind the Exec project. "But, for instance, we want the customer to see how the aircraft performed during his last flight. Now, he can."

Rotorway has opened up its FADEC architecture to at least two other manufacturers. Smith, however, says Rotorway continues to lead the pack in FADEC development.

FMI: www.rotorway.com