Data Management

Satcom Direct (SD) is a business aviation solutions provider that has defined new standards for business aviation data management. We are aviators and we work closely with our customers to develop our products.

Our latest round of consultancy explored the use of our intelligent data and communications platform, SD Pro, to establish if our aim of improving modern flight operations management tool is helping to standardize operating procedures and data protocols. By leveraging elements from the platform’s aircraft connectivity services, hardware platforms, and ground network infrastructure, SD has created a centralized data management ecosystem that automates and enhances flight department communications and operations. The platform acts as a reliable source of data (SD) for aviation management and flight operators, which is reflected in the product name, SD Pro.

SD Pro lets you view and manage flight logs, performance data, scheduling, trip planning, maintenance information, operating history, and more.

To define the parameters for its software operating system, we worked closely with our Customer Advisory Board to map the processes used by more than 20 flight departments, evaluating the existing procedures for planning and executing a flight, from start to finish.

Ranging from scheduling an aircraft to postflight logging, SD identified core similarities among these diverse organizations and common business functions that could be improved by automation and enhanced data visibility. This resulted in a cohesive product suite that streamlines operating procedures and enables flight departments to more efficiently manage multiple assets and increased passenger demand. It seems to be valued by the customers and demonstrates the value of collaborating and listening to their needs something that sits at the core of SD product development.

“SD is creating a valuable and forward-leaning system for business aviation," said Bill Buttenwieser, Citigroup Director of Aviation. "They understand the complexities we face as operators, and are using that insight to pave the way for digitized flight operations support. SD Pro gives us the benefit of a collaborative platform that provides visibility to our entire flight operations ecosystem, making us more efficient and more effective at our jobs," he continued.

"As this cloud-based system becomes fully integrated with third-party applications and continues to add functionality, we see digitalization and the power of that technology helping drive our business model forward. We are excited to partner with SD on this journey.”

SD PostFlight industry’s first real-time automated flight-log reporting software.

Again, listening to customer needs we recently added SD PostFlight to our offering. From the moment a flight request is made, SD’s PreFlight module centralizes planning information from multiple sources into a single dashboard, allowing operators to more efficiently schedule, manage and operate their aircraft for the ideal passenger experience. Flight performance data is automatically captured and shared throughout the flight, keeping all members of the team informed without the need for manual communication efforts which significantly reduces workload and errors.

Accurate engine times and cycles, and flight log details, are auto populated into the SD PostFlight module and easily shared with various maintenance providers and engine manufacturers, requiring no duplication of effort while creating a digital record for the aircraft history. This ultimately leads to decreased aircraft down times and longer periods between scheduled maintenance events. Financial and tax reporting is made easy through integrated business intelligence tools. Customers value this ability to automate data management. Throughout every phase, all data is managed through SD’s Tier III Data Center, ensuring sensitive Personal Identifying Information (PII), as well as aircraft data, is kept secure and compliant with global data privacy regulations.

At SD we are aiming to bring all elements together, in real-time, so flight operators get a synchronized view of their fleet, communication is improved, and a superior onboard experience is achieved. We are optimizing workflows and simplifying communication across all parts of the operation, effectively defining new standards for business aviation flight management, reducing workload and helping our clients optimize their data.

As Ed White, VP Aviation for MB Aviation says, “The major benefits for us at MB Aviation come from the centralization of data, including that from the SD datalink service FlightDeck Freedom. We love the all-in-one solution that SD has created and are leading the industry with. We look forward to the advancement of their open architecture and agnostic solutions for business aviation as a whole. Automation and single access points are the keys to the future, and we are confident in SD’s ability to bring these to life for us.”

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 12th March 2020 | Issue #548

Share this article