LinxUs System Adds Capabilities for Data-Driven Operators

Textron Aviation announced another option for operators processing their post-flight data, adding interoperability with GE Aerospace’s Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) system.

It’s a mouthful, for sure, but the end result is a more varied ecosystem for Citation and SkyCourier operators. Textron’s proprietary LinxUs FDM Program helps to ease data handling from the plane, and now allows users to send their data to four providers: Acron Aviation’s Flight Data Connect service, ForeFlight’s Flight Data Analysis, Safran Electronics & Defense’s Cassiopée Flight Data Monitoring service, and now GE’s FOQA. Flight data transfers wirelessly over an encrypted connection, simplifying things even further.

“At Textron Aviation, we are committed to designing and delivering the best aviation experience for our customers which means we are always looking for ways to enhance the aircraft ownership experience,” said Brian Rohloff, senior vice president, Customer Support. “Adding GE Aerospace as a Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) provider offers Cessna owners even more flexibility to select a service provider that best fits their needs, providing them with the best possible flight data monitoring.”

Textron didn’t miss the chance to talk up their LinxUs FDM system when announcing the change. The LinxUs system is baked into the high-end Cessna series, giving deep data insights into almost every element of an operational aircraft: Engine trends, exceedances, service messages, CAS messages, and avionics info are all supported by LinxUs, and can be handed off to your FDM service of choice. Textron offers a continual LinxUs subscription at “no cost”, and “benefits continue with transfer of aircraft ownership.” Wi-Fi transmission of flight data is free, but LinxUs Air using the Iridium satellite network comes at an added cost once the initial trial service expires. Perhaps most interesting to Citation jet operators is the purported insurance benefits that can come with a proper FDM setup, since insights can be used to reduce risks and identify problem areas long before they bite. Pilots may not love having the ‘tattletale’ on board watching their every move, but their Chief Pilots will probably like being able to see actual data on SOP compliance.

The Flight Data Management systems are only available on the Citation series of jets, including the Longitude, Latitude, X+, Sovereign+, CJ4, CJ3, and M2. The Skycourier is the only non-jet in the lineup with access to LinxUs.

FMI: www.txtav.com