AI flight-safety system wins award

A research collaboration between Portsmouth University and Flight Data Services received the award for Best Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) in the South East and will now be entered for a national award.

The organisations collaborated under a three-year KTP, the government’s scheme that facilitates academic institutions working with businesses. Together they developed a computer program that uses artificial intelligence to analyse data recorded in an aircraft’s black box.

The program highlights tiny aberrations in the recorded data after every flight that would not usually be identified. It flags up abnormalities that fall outside the airline’s standard safety parameters, which it can investigate and take remedial action if necessary before safety is compromised.

The program was developed in response to the industry’s need for a more comprehensive and accurate system of flight-data monitoring. The industry requires that airlines monitor data from all passenger flights over 27 tonnes. This includes aircraft ranging from 10-seat corporate jets to commercial jets seating up to 850 passengers, such as the Airbus A380.