Latitude Technology introduced the ENode engine data acquisition unit this week at the Aircraft Electronics Association conference. Targeting the twin-engine turbine-powered aircraft market, ENode is designed to enable engine condition trend monitoring (ECTM), flight data monitoring (FDM), and fuel management.

Once data is captured, Latitude’s web-based Flight Data Analytics can store, view, manage, and analyze the flight data to help a flight operation improve safety and fly more efficiently. Engine and flight data can also be sent to service providers for ECTM and fuel-use analysis. Operators can opt for an ENode installation where engine signals are converted to Arinc 429 or also install a Latitude IONode FDM recorder, which can wirelessly upload saved data when the aircraft is parked near enough to a Wi-Fi network. Data can also be downloaded via a USB port on the IONode unit.

The ENode weighs 500 grams (about one pound) and includes inputs for rotor, compressor, turbine, and propeller rpm, synchro inputs for position sensing, thermocouple inputs for ITT and EGT signals, general purpose analog voltage inputs for data acquisition, and discrete inputs. Latitude is planning to obtain STCs for installation of ENode in King Airs, Twin Otters, Bell 212/412s, and other aircraft types. “Those coincide with the market we deal with,” said David Thomas, director of helicopter and general aviation sales. “Those are our largest markets.”