KittyHawk Instant Flight Replay (Facilitating Accident Evaluations of Aircraft with "Glass" Cockpits)

SYNETICS proposes a novel and innovative solution to the problem of information volatility when displayed on electronic flat-panel or CRT displays in modern glass cockpit aircraft. Unlike conventional avionics and flight control displays comprised of electromechanical gauges and dials that hold their final readings at the time of a crash, glass cockpit flight instrumentation loses all data upon a crash and provides no clues to aid the post-crash investigation. SYNETICS proposes to demonstrate the use of the new Hewlett Packard KittyHawk Personal Storage Module (a miniature rugged hard disk) properly interfaced to the video RAM of an electronic display to achieve an Instant Flight Replay capability. The primary role of the flight-recorder (black box) mounted KittyHawk Instant Flight Replay system would be post-crash flight analysis; however, with somewhat different packaging, the KIFR system would support post-flight analysis of training flights. SYNETICS proposal is especially innovative and beneficial to the Air Force for three reasons: (1) SYNETICS proposes a joint effort with Rockwell International (at no cost for Rockwell's consultation during Phase I), (2) Phase I will not be limited to a theoretical analysis of feasibility, but will include the important issues of shock and temperature testing, and (3) the KIFR will be designed both for integration inside existing flight recorders and for standalone use in military aircraft having no flight recorder.