Aeromechanical Services has revealed that the Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) 228B is in the final phase of receiving the DO-160F Environmental Certification testing.
The testing is aimed at determining how the AFIRS 228 units perform when subjected to tough environmental conditions that exist while conducting airborne operations. The AFIRS has so far been successful in completing 300 tests conducted in a variety of settings, voice and data modes and at different transmission frequencies in order to rule out the chance of any interference that the system may cause in navigation and communication of other flight systems. Post the successful completion of the DO-160F tests, the AFIRS system will be ready for sale. He added that by implementing the AFIRS system the customers will be able to save on money and time as it is a single line replaceable unit (LRU) that provides multiple functionality.
The DO-160F testing is the last leg of the multiple supplemental type certificates (STC). Armed with the STC certifications AMA could proceed with further tests for STC follow ups that would allow it to be installed on additional aircraft. The STC tests will be completed on the Bombardier CRJ 900, Hawker Beechcraft 125 series, Boeing 737 NGs and Airbus 319, 320, 321 and A330 series. After the AFIRS 228 has been completed in 2012, it will be competent to provide voice, safety, data and electronic flight bag integration and also support ACARS. One of the versions of the 228 will be providing Controller Pilot data Link Communications and Link 2000+ compliance for some of the aircrafts. The AIFRS 228 will be the first ever in providing safety services through the FLYHTStream real-time data streaming system from Aeromechanical.