Thales just provided more details about PureFlyt, its next generation flight management system (FMS). It will be the first system with open world connectivity embedded in its architecture and functionality. This FMS, which is presented as the future brain of the plane, aims to facilitate the crew’s work.
Thales started designing PureFlyt in 2015, Thales’ team already carried more than 2 billon tests which represent approximately 100 million actual flight hours. This FMS is expected to enter into service by 2024. It will be capable of both 4D and 5D trajectory operations. Thanks to this cutting-edge system “aircraft trajectory can be permanently controlled, adapted and enhanced, resulting in optimized flight, decreased fuel consumption and improved passenger comfort.”
Main characteristics
PureFlyt collect all the elements of the global air traffic ecosystem into an aircraft’s flight in real time. This FMS can integrate onboard inputs from the aircraft as well as external data such as the weather or the traffic.
By the past, the FMS required a dedicated computer. PureFlyt is put in an IMA network which means that running on a dedicated computer is not needed. This will probably represent a 20 kilos’ saving on every flight.
PureFlyt will be able to communicate real-time changes of aircraft’s flight path with air traffic controllers.
Peter Hitchcock, vice-president of commercial avionics for Thales said: “FMS is the source of critical performance calculations for an aircraft. PureFlyt taking this forward will perform these calculations in four dimensions, altitude, longitude and time. It will also, through connectivity, share that information with other systems. So, what we’re doing with PureFlyt is eliminating the gap between the strategic EFB plan and the FMS plan, it’s now reunited into the same plan.”
Even though other companies like GE Aviation or Honeywell Aerospace are investing in the connected FMS, Thales remain the only one developing an entire new FMS.
PureFlyt’s application is commercial aircraft. However, Thales is developing the system to be ready for variants on military air transport aircraft and helicopters.