Flight Information Analysis Ground Station "Winarm32™": Software (Version 1.9) User'S Manual

FLIGHT INFORMATION ANALYSIS
GROUND STATION WinArm32
SOFTWARE
(VERSION 1.9)
User's manual
Moscow
2012
This manual is delivered along with the Flight Information Analysis Ground Station
WinArm32 and is the intellectual proprietary of the developer. Ask for special
developers permission to copy or disseminate this document.
Program updates and additional information are available on the Internet at
http://www.winarm.ru.
You may contact the developers on e-mail info@winarm.ru.
"Flight Safety Information Technologies" JSC, Moscow, Russia
The Flight Information Analysis Ground Station WinArm32 is certified and included
into the register of the Special software allowed for flight information read out and
processing in the aviation enterprises of Russian Federation by the decision #5.10-84
dated July 12, 2004.
Part number: 643.29895162.00003-02 31 96
Version: 1.9.9, 01.11.2012.
Printed in Moscow, 2010.

Contents
INTRODUCTION 8
1. WHAT IS NEW 11
1.1. For WinArm16 users 11
1.2. For users of previous versions of WinArm32 11
2. INITIAL KNOWLEDGE 13
2.1. Conventions 13
2.2. Introducing WinArm32 13
2.3. Software contents 13
2.4. Components installed 13
2.5. Technical requirements 14
3. GETTING HELP 16
4. PROGRAM INSTALLATION AND REMOVING 17

4.1. Data input device driver installation 17
4.2. Protection key driver installation 18

4.2.1. Possible troubles with driver installation on Windows XP SP2 systems 19
4.2.2. Network type of the protection key 20
4.3. Update procedure 20
5. STARTING THE PROGRAM AND WORKING WITH FILES 22

5.1. First start of the program 22
5.2. Normal start of the program 22
5.3. Starting the program in client mode 23
5.4. Starting the program in server mode 23
5.5. Selecting the language 23
6. DATA PROTECTION 24
7. DATABASE WINDOW IN CLIENT MODE 26
8. DATABASE WINDOW IN SERVER MODE 32

8.1. WinArm32.exe Server Mode 32
8.2. Swa32.exe Server Mode 33
3
Contents
9. PREPARATION FOR READOUT AND READING OUT THE FLIGHT
PARAMETRIC INFORMATION 36
9.1. Header file preparation 36
9.1.1. Passport, common data page 37
9.1.2. Parameter page 42
9.2. Analog parameter types 45

9.2.1. Analog calibrated 45
9.2.1.1. One calibration branch 45
9.2.1.2. Several calibration branches and branch number 52
9.2.1.3. Several calibration branches and coarse parameter 54
9.2.1.4. Two calibration branches and On/Off signal 55
9.2.1.5. Piecewise linear function of one argument 57
9.2.1.6. Piecewise linear function of two arguments 58
9.2.2. Analog not calibrated 58
9.2.2.1. Real number 58
9.2.2.2. Digital code 58
9.2.2.3. Predefined function 63
9.2.2.3.1. SRTM data type 64
9.2.2.4. Algorithm interpreter 64
9.2.2.5. Relative time 69
9.2.2.6. Integral 69
9.2.2.7. Smoothing, differentiating 70
9.3. On/Off signals types 71

9.3.1. On/Off signal (1 bit) 72
9.3.1.1. Masked On/Off signal 73
9.3.2. On/Off signal (calculated) 73
9.3.2.1. UKR 73
9.3.2.2. Algorithm interpreter 73
9.3.3. Word of On/Off signals 73
9.3.4. Features of On/Off signals registering in Tester system 74
9.4. Sound stream type 74
9.5. Some features in defining the failure mark position 76
9.6. Data file creation 76

9.6.1. Information copying from a data file 79
9.6.2. Reading out from ground playback devices 79
9.6.3. WinArm16 data file import 88
9.6.4. Reading out the information from a text file 88
9.6.5. Reading out the information of MBR and RPI recorders 90
9.7. Calibration tables changing 93

9.7.1. Features of changing the calibration for MBR recorder type 94
9.8. Calibration table blank printing 95
10. FLIGHT INFORMATION PROCESSING 97

10.1. Parameters selection. Working with graphic forms and standard tasks. 104
10.1.1. Standard tasks 105
10.1.2. Graphic forms 107
10.2. Customizing parameters appearance 108

10.2.1. Customizing user interface 108
10.2.2. Selecting the color of the active parameter 109
10.2.3. Font changing 110
10.2.4. Parameters output mode (codes-engineering units) 110
4
Contents
10.2.5. Displaying parameters in different engineering units 110
10.2.6. Registration instants viewing 111
10.2.7. Parameters moving and scale changing 111
10.2.8. Features of the parameters moving and scale changing in the Plot for printing mode 113
10.2.9. Returning to the default settings 113
10.3. Selecting the time interval 113
10.4. Time axis options 116
10.5. Reading the current values of the parameters 117
10.6. Information failures marking 118
10.7. Text labels setting and removing 120
10.8. Information frames adding and removing 122
10.9. Table of parameters creation 123
10.10. File header saving and changing. Standard data file creation. 124
10.11. Graphs printing and printer setup. Features of the Plot for printing mode. 124
10.12. Identification data viewing 128
10.13. Working with parameters of Integral type 128
10.14. Working with parameters of Sound stream type 129

10.14.1. Features of working with MBR sound streams 132
10.15. Additional data streams 132

10.15.1. Inserting from another data file 133
10.15.2. Inserting from a text file 134
10.15.3. Working with additional data streams 135
10.16. Statistical analysis 137
10.17. Work with DAFIF Navigation Database 137

10.17.1. General 137
10.17.2. Working with DAFIF database 137
10.17.3. Automatic scheme files creation 138
10.17.4. Defining Distance to Selected Runway 139
10.17.5. Creating Runway Databases 140
10.18. Working with METAR data 140
10.19. Data Encryption 143
10.20. Links to Other Applications 144
10.21. Flight path plotting in the Google Earth 144
10.22. Flight path review (using Google Maps) 146
11. FLIGHT PATH CALCULATION 149

11.1. General provisions 149
11.2. Simple calculation performing 151
5
Contents
11.3. Flight path customizing 153
11.3.1. Description of the flight path window 153
11.3.2. Current position 156
11.3.3. Binding the flight path to the map 156
11.3.4. Selecting flight path displaying mode 159
11.3.5. Flight path moving, rotating and scale changing 160
11.3.6. Aircraft silhouette selection 161
11.3.7. Adding time labels 161
11.3.8. Adding text labels 162
11.3.9. Customizing flight path appearance 163
11.3.9.1. Grid lines and direction indicator customization 163
11.3.9.2. Colors of the flight path parts 164
11.3.9.3. Flight path customization 164
11.3.9.4. Setting the plot caption 164
11.3.9.5. Time labels customization 164
11.3.9.6. Text labels customization 165
11.4. Calculation with the additional target points 165
11.5. Flight path printing 166
11.6. Flight demonstration 166
11.7. Saving the flight path into existing project 169
11.8. Terrain imitation 170
11.9. Glide path calculation 170
11.10. Viewing parameters versus distance 174
11.11. Adding charts 176
11.12. Flight path calculation using local runway database 178
11.13. Connection with Microsoft Flight Simulator 179

11.13.1. General 179
11.13.2. Transferring data to MS FS and their visualization 180
12. FLIGHT INFORMATION EXPRESS-ANALYSIS 184

12.1. Express-analysis basics 184
12.2. Access levels to the express-analysis algorithms 184
12.3. Running express-analysis algorithms. Viewing and printing the results. 184
12.4. Customizing plots used for events confirmation and events colors for printing 191
12.5. Sorting express-analysis events 192
12.6. Printing express-analysis algorithms 196
12.7. Express-analysis algorithms modifying and creating 196
12.8. Export, import and deleting the express-analysis algorithms 210
12.9. Features while creating events of Regular information type 214
12.10. Features while creating events of Endurance hours type 217
6
Contents
12.11. Features of two-pass express-analysis implementation 219
12.12. Express-analysis debug mode 222

12.12.1. Saving/inserting algorithms 222
12.12.2. Performance time monitoring. Buffer depth settings 222
12.13. Particular cases of events calculation 223
13. QUICK HELP ON MENU ITEMS, HOT KEYS AND CONTROL BUTTONS
226
13.1. The main menu 226
13.2. Control button of the programs main window in the Plot for analysis mode 227
13.3. Hot keys in the plot viewing window 229
13.4. Control button of the programs main window in the flight path mode 232
13.5. Control button of the additional data streams window 233
7
Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Flight Information Analysis Ground Station WinArm32 is a software/hardware
complex for FDR information readout, processing and presentation. The program is
developed to be hosted on IBM-compatible PC with MS Windows 98/ME/NT/XP. The
WinArm32 program has a comprehensible user-friendly interface and provides a lot of
context tips that make the work easy and comfortable.
WinArm32 enables the user to:

- read out information from MSRP-64, MSRP-64M5, MSRP-128, MSRP-256,
MSRP-A-01, MSRP-A-02, BUR-1, BUR-2, BUR-3, Tester-U3 (all series) FDRs
using BVS-3, UVZ-5M, Uvs-3M, OBZOR-MS ground playback recorders.
Information readout is done with the help of a small-size, portable input device
with standard USB interface. There is now no need to install supplementary
interface boards inside the computer. "Tester-U3" FDR (all series) information
readout is now available directly from onboard an aircraft into a laptop;
- read out information from MLP-23-1 and MLP-23-3 without the Uvs-3M ground
playback recorder using a portable USB input device;
- import flight information that was read out by third party programs (including
western made recorders) with subsequent full-scale processing and presentation;
- perform automatic FDR information processing and analysis;
- print flight information for any time interval in graphical and tabular format;
- perform flight path calculation in vertical and horizontal planes and to derive
non-registered parameters;
- make express-analysis of the flight information and to present the results in user-
friendly graphical, tabular or electronic format;
- view real time 3D express reconstruction of the flight synchronized with the
CVR record;
- keep and maintain flight information database to be able to backup, sort out and
select the necessary information;
- work with one data file on many computers at the same time keeping the original
file unchanged in the server database;
- change calculations and express analysis algorithms, add user-defined modules
for express analysis and to create standard tasks to promptly view and print
information;
- process (listen to) the voice (CVR) information along with the FDR information.
Change the duration of the sound and make a transcript of crew
communications;
- add up to 10 additional data streams from other files (up to 30 parameters in
each) to the current data file with voluntary time co-ordination of those streams;
- keep the database of the express-analysis results and other regular information
with the ability of statistical analysis;
- send results of the flight path calculation and other data to the Microsoft Flight
Simulator to make realistic reconstructions of flights including cockpit
environment and instruments indications.
8
Introduction
While reading out the information with the help of WinArm32 software the user can
look for desired information in fast and graphic manner, preview the values of the registered
parameters in codes or engineering units, copy a selected portion of flight into a separate file.
Information readout is done with the help of a small-size, portable input device with standard
USB interface. There is now no need to install supplementary interface boards inside the
computer. "Tester-U3" FDR (all series) information readout is now available directly from
onboard an aircraft into a laptop.
Frame failures may be eliminated (marked) automatically during readout. The program
gives the ability to remotedly control playback devices from a PC if those devices support this
kind of control.
The WinArm32 program may import the information that was read out on the third
party equipment (including western made). You don not need to install any hardware for this.
Special add-on could be designed to import information from any kind of recorders. You will
have no limitations while working with imported data comparing to the data that were read
out with the help of WinArm32.
While working with parametric information the user can:
select, sort and display desired analog parameters and On/Off signals (events) in
fast and evident manner;
go to the desired part of the flight in one mouse click;
select any scale of the parameter axis and time axis (down to a separate frame);
select parameters color;
display data in codes or engineering units;
view exact parameter values at the instants they were recordered and to move a
scale of any parameter along the screen.
You may set and remove frame and parameter failure marks in different ways to exclude
them from calculations and analysis with the possibility to save original information and to
return to it at any time.
You can customize many elements of the program interface and to select language
(English or Russian).
Graphic forms and standard tasks give you the ability to share results of your work with
other users and to use them while processing newly created data files.
Specially designed format of WinArm32 data file makes any data file fully
independent and useable on any computer with WinArm32 installed. All the results of
your work are now saved directly in the data file.
You are able to add a lot of different information while printing a graph: short name
and/or full name of the parameter, parameter values in any position, graph name, service
information, transcript of crew members communication and so on. The program has the
ability of automatic scale management while printing and supports any print device installed
in the MS Windows which makes information printing evident and fast. Now you are able to
print (save) your results unto .emf file, share it via E-mail or process it further using other
graphical tools.
The WinArm32 program contains a built-in function that helps you to calculate flight
path in horizontal and vertical planes on any stage of the flight. While calculating you are able
to correct calculation results by wind influence and take into account the instants of flying
over fixes (VOR and so on). Flight path calculations results may be synchronized with
geographical/aeronautical maps or with Jeppesen charts. Visualization utility provides you
with the ability of 3D express demonstration of the flight in real time mode with CVR record
synchronization and selected parameters monitoring.
The WinArm32 database is based on client-server architecture. You keep your
database (data files archive) on the server; client workstations receive selected files via local
area network with the ability either to save them in local databases or transferring back to the
server after some corrections were done. The last function is enabled only for users with the
9
Introduction
highest level of access. High density of the flight data makes data transfer quick for different
types of networks.
The changes to the ciclograms (list of parameters and their addresses) as well as to the
calibration tables may be made directly during the work with the help of user-friendly
interface.
The program has a built-in interpreter of logical and mathematical equations that
provides users with the ability to change existing and to compile new algorithms of the
express analysis.
The program guarantees information protection from unauthorized access through four
different levels of access.
The program enables users to analyze (to listen to) the CVR information along with the
FDR information as well as to compare (to superimpose) the FDR information of different
flights.
Express-analysis results as well as regular information of any type may be saved into the
database with the ability of statistical analysis.
The ability to send the calculated and registered information into the Microsoft Flight
Simulator lets you make a visual, realistic, real-time reconstruction of flight with instrument
indications and CVR information analysis. The user may record a video file of any stage of
flight to show it on another PC without needing the Microsoft Flight Simulator and
WinArm32 to be installed.
Software development, technical support, guarantee and post-guarantee maintenance as
well as personnel training is done by the specialists who have great experience of flight
information readout, recovery and analysis including aviation accidents and incidents
investigations.
10
What's new
1. What is new
1.1. For WinArm16 users
This chapter is for WinArm16 users and contains a short description of the new
features of WinArm32 in comparison with previous versions. WinArm32 is fully 32-bit
software that has significantly increased its performance comparing to WinArm16. To
guarantee retrofit compatibility WinArm16 files could be converted into WinArm32
format.
FDR read out is now done using a small-size, portable input device with standard USB
interface. There is now no need to install interface boards inside the computer.
The program now supports client-server architecture and is convenient to use in
companies with branched departments connected to each other through LAN.
The user can now select a language (Russian or English) of the program interface
dynamically.
New format of data file makes it self-sufficient and moveable to any computer with
installed WinArm32 with saving of all the changes that were made on another computer.
Add-on converters let you convert the data file from any type of FDR (including
western made) to WinArm32 format.
The following features have been significantly amended:

Printing graphs is now fast and handy. You can now print a graph to a file of
Enhanced Windows Metafile (*.emf) format or JPEG format or BMP format.
Work with graphic forms and standard tasks has been greatly simplified.
Work with calibration tables and header files has been simplified.
Frame and parameter failure marking has been improved.
User's interface customization and parameters attribute changing is now simple
and fast.
New possibilities to select desired time interval are now available.
"Tester" FDR (all types) information readout is now available directly from
onboard.
Data monitoring during the readout is now available in engineering units.
Program interface has become more user-friendly with great amount of hints
and tips that pop up depending on the user's action.
1.2. For users of previous versions of WinArm32
This chapter is for users of previous versions of WinArm32. It contains brief
knowledge about the new features that were added in version 1.9.
Four completely new features were added in the current version:
simultaneous processing of the CVR and FDR information (chapter 10.14);
the possibility to add up to 10 additional data streams (up to 30 parameters in
each) to the current data file with the ability of voluntary time co-ordination of
those streams (chapter 10.15);
keeping the database of the express-analysis results and other regular
information with the ability of statistical analysis;
sending results of the flight path calculation and other data to the Microsoft
Flight Simulator to make the realistic real-time flight reconstructions
including cockpit environment and instruments indications (chapter 11.13).
Besides of completely new features that were described above the significant
amendments were applied to the flight path calculation task including changing the status of
the flight path window and adding some new methods of binding the flight path to the map
and customizing the flight path appearance.
11
What's new
Some minor changes were done to the Header editor window. Those changes are
related to parameters adding and deleting as well as to searching for the desired parameter
(chapter 9).
The interface of graphic forms (chapter 10.1.2) and standard tasks (chapter 10.1.1)
windows was changed.
The new methods of parameters sorting were added in the Select parameters window.
The new method for adding and removing the labels of current values of the
parameters was implemented in the Plot for printing mode (chapter 10.11).
The ability of syntax printing of the express-analysis algorithms was added (chapter
12.6).
All the files that were created with the previous versions of WinArm32 are
automatically converted to the 1.9 format when they are being loaded at the first time. The
versions 1.8.3 and below are not able to open the data files in 1.9 format directly. However,
the user may save the data file from version 1.9 in the 1.8 file format. CAUTION: all the
graphic forms will be lost after this conversion.
12
Initial knowledge
2. Initial knowledge
2.1. Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
In bold are the names of different items of user interface, keys, as well as
names of the reference software;
In bold italics are highlighted elements to pay special attention to;
In italics are notes and recommendations.
2.2. Introducing WinArm32
The WinArm32 program has clear user-friendly interface and context tips so you
can start working with the program without reading the manual.
To get the knowledge about all the features of the program it is enough to get
acquainted with the present manual. It should be noted that the present manual assumes that
the user has basic knowledge about flight data recording and FDR types, flight dynamics
and computer running under Windows operating system.
To get the above-mentioned basic or advanced knowledge refer to the appropriate
manuals.
2.3. Software contents
There are three different delivery packages that depend on the type of the protection
key purchased:
Light;
Standard;
Professional.
The type of the package installed is shown in the caption of the programs main
window. The light version is marked by the word Light, professional - by the word Pro. The
users name and the current level of access appear in the caption if standard package is
installed. In addition, a unique identification number of the protection key that has been used
for logging into the program is displayed in the window caption parenthetically. The
Unregistered sign will appear in the caption if the program was loaded without the protection
key connected or properly set up.
Professional package is a named package (the users name is incorporated inside the
protection key). This package does not require the password to be entered while loading the
program. Using this type of key the user has access to all programs features including
developing and modifying express-analysis algorithms.
Standard package is the most popular package. This package does not provide the
capability to modify and create express-analysis algorithms but users are still able to run
express-analysis that is provided with the system. The level of access to the programs
features depends on the system administrator who assigns user names and passwords as well
as capabilities for each user. See Chapter 6 for how to assign user names and level of access.
Light package could be used only along with the professional and/or standard
package. While logging into the program the user must enter login name and password that
are predefined on this computer by the system administrator using the professional or
standard protection key. This package does not allow to create or to change header files, to
change calibration tables, to create new data files by reading out or importing flight
information. The user is able to analyze the existing information (data files) including running
express-analysis, to perform flight path calculation and to output information in different
formats.
2.4. Components installed
The WinArm32 system consists of the following major components:
Executable file winarm32.exe.
Auxiliary dynamic link libraries, configuration and initialization files.
The file with the predefined parameters list.
13
Initial knowledge
Drivers for data input device and protection unit;
Template files
Help files.
Examples of data files, headers and flight path files.
Installation program automatically places above-mentioned files into the appropriate
folders.
WinArm32/ Program main folder
AIP/ This folder contains graphical aircraft
models which are used in flight path
window.
DRIVERS/ This folder contains files that are
necessary for data input device driver
and protection key driver installation
HELP/ This folder contains help files in English
and Russian languages
SAMPLES/ This folder contains samples of different
types
WORK/ This is default folder for additional files
about.wav Sound file that will be used in the About
window
arm32.dll (only for Dynamic link library that contains the
versions 1.9.7 and earlier) common program functions
click.wav Sound file that is used by read out
routine for user notification
font.ini Font initialization file
ftd2xx.dll Dynamic link library that contains run-
time functions of the data input device
haspms32.dll Dynamic link library that contains run-
time functions of the protection unit
hinstall.exe Executable file for protection unit driver
installation
param.txt Text file that contains the predefined
parameters list
pass.ini Password file
winarm.ini Program configuration file
manual_rus.pdf User's manual in Russian and English
manual_eng.pdf languages
*.dot files MS Word template files to print different
kind of information in English and
Russian languages.
2.5. Technical requirements
To install the flight information analysis ground station WinArm32 your
computer should meet the following minimum requirements:
Pentium 2 or higher;
Operating system Windows98 (Windows XP is highly recommended);
Screen resolution at least 1024768, High color (16 bits);
RAM at least 64 Mb (128 Mb recommended);
Free space on hard disk at least 50 Mb;
USB interface to connect protection unit;
CD-ROM drive.
14
Initial knowledge
To read out FDR information you need second USB 1.1 connector or external USB
divider. To work in client-server mode you need network adapter.
To work with graphic forms and in the Plot for printing mode (chapter 10.11)
you need to have at least one printer installed.
To speed the work it is highly recommended to have a mouse with the scrolling
wheel.
To print or save to a file the results of the express-analysis implementation as well as
the current header Microsoft Word should be installed.
To print or save to a file the table with the values of the parameters the WordPad
text processor should be installed.
The program automatically loads the standard Windows image viewing program
after graphic information was printed to the file.
15
Getting help
3. Getting HELP
Press F1 to get context dependent help at any moment. The current version supports
help in Russian language only.
Possible actions, advices and tips are continuously appearing in the status bar while
the user is working with the program.
Attention, the help file is compiled in hlp format. For Windows Vista Windows 7
users, depending on the version installed (32 or 64 bits), you may need to install additional
package to support hlp files. The package may be downloaded from the Internet free of
charge or you may address WinArm32 developers.
16
Program installation and removing
4. Program installation and removing
Before installing WinArm32 it is recommended to close all applications and to
make sure that system configuration meets the minimum requirements mentioned in
hapter 2.5. If another version of WinArm32 is already installed, it has to be deleted using
Add and remove program application of the Windows control panel.
Attention: It is not recommended to remove the previous version manually because
it may cause some difficulties while installing a new version.
Important: To keep the list of the existing users as well as different program settings
it is recommended to save the existing winarm.ini, pass.ini and font.ini files from the
program's main folder to the temporary folder and overwrite the default files after new
version is installed.
Note: If previous version is WinArm16, you do not need to remove it. Both versions
may work at the same time.
Uninstall wizard will remove from the hard disk only those files that were copied by
the setup program. Data files that were created by users during program operation will not be
deleted automatically and may be used in the future. Those files if needed should be removed
manually. After removing the old version the new version may be installed.
The WinArm32 program is provided on a CD that has autorun.exe file. If your
computer supports CD autorun option you just have to put the disk into the CD-ROM drive
and a setup window will appear automatically. If your system does not support CD autorun
option or you want to start setup manually just open the root CD folder and start setup.exe.
Follow the installation program instructions. During installation the user is able to
select program installation folder and the type of setup: full or custom. If full setup type is
selected all the files are copied onto the hard disk. Custom setup type is recommended for the
advanced users and allows skipping installation of some components.
Installation program creates shortcuts on the desktop and in the Start menu and
registers in the Windows system new file types (chapter 5).
For some operating systems (for example Windows 2000) the full access to the
WinArm32 main folder should be established for all the users that will work with the
program.
Attention, the setup program will advise you to install WinArm32 in the
WinArm32 subfolder in the root foder on the drive :\. Due to some constraints in Windows
Vista Windows 7 it is not recommended to change this folder. However, if needed, you
may install the program in any folder but on another (not system) drive.
4.1. Data input device driver installation
To read out the information from ground based recorders you have to install the
driver of the data input device.
To install the driver you have to connect the data input device to the computer
(through USB slot). The system will recognize new equipment and installation wizard will be
started automatically (Figure 4.1). Select Install from a list or specific location switch and
click Next.
17
Figure 4.1
In the next window (Figure 4.2) check the switch Include this location in the
search and select the Drivers folder from WinArm32 installation folder.
Figure 4.2
After clicking the Next button the system will find and install the driver and data
input device will be ready for readout. If you work with Windows XP operating system a
warning may pop up. It will inform you that the driver was not tested for compliance with the
operating system. Just continue the installation in this case.
After driver installation the information about data input device should appear in the
System information window of the Windows Control Panel (item USB controllers, device
name - FTDI FT8U2XX Device).
Use standard Windows procedure to remove data input device driver. Select
Add/Remove programs from Windows Control Panel and remove FTDI FTD2XX USB
Drivers entry.
4.2. Protection key driver installation
The WinArm32 program is protected from unauthorized access with the help of
USB or LPT protection key named HASP which is included in distribution package. If this
key is not connected to the computer while the program is being started it will continue to
work in demo mode (unregistered user) with the lowest level of access. All the recourses
described in chapter 6 wont be available. A relative warning (Figure 4.3) will be shown to
inform the user about restricted mode.
Figure 4.3
18
Attention, for versions 1.9.7 and above you are not able to start the program if the
protection key is not connected. If you disconnect the key after program was started the
program will exit automatically in a short period of time.
Protection key driver has to be activated after program installation. Insert the
protection key into the proper jack (USB or LPT depending on key type) and use Start/Run
menu item to run the hinstall.exe program with the -I switch from the WinArm32 main
folder. If the program was installed in the default folder the command line will be
"C:\Program Files\WinArm32\HINSTALL.EXE" I (parentheses are mandatory because
the Program Files folder name has spaces).
Note: There is a shell version of the driver installation software. It is recommended
to use this software to install protection key driver for keys of HL type (short key of the red
color comparing to the old one, longer and of blue color). The executable file is located in
DRIVERS/HASP/HL subfolder. The latest version may be downloaded from Web-site at
http://www3.safenet-inc.com/support/hasp/hasp4/enduser.aspx. Follow the instruction to
install the driver.
A message with driver installation results will be shown. If everything is installed
properly the red light switches on inside a protection key and corresponding information will
appear in the System information window of the Windows Control Panel (item USB
controllers or COM and LPT ports).
To receive help information about hinstall.exe program and command line options,
run it without parameters.
It should be noted that all the described devices are standard Windows devices. So,
their drivers may also be installed using the normal Windows procedure. All the files that are
necessary for installation are located in the Drivers subfolder of the programs main folder.
4.2.1. Possible troubles with driver installation on Windows XP SP2 systems
This chapter describes some troubles that may appear during installation of the
protection key driver on the computers with Windows XP SP2. The possible troubles may be
encountered due to the DEP function (Data Execution Prevention) that was introduced in
SP2 and the working features of this function on some PCs with the given hardware. DEP
function was designed to protect your computer from viruses and other harmful software by
putting some restrictions on software execution. This technology also uses hardware support
features that are implemented on Intel and AMD CPUs.
You may get acquainted with DEP description on Microsoft WEB-site at
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875352/en.
Due to the software/hardware conflicts there could be some problems in HASP
driver installation.
If you encounter such a problem (there is no red light in the protection key after the
driver is successfully installed and/or program loads with Unregistered caption with red light
being on in the protection key) the following procedure may be recommended:
1. If you have HASP driver version below 4.96, download the new driver from
HASP Device Drivers Downloads site at http://www3.safenet-
inc.com/support/hasp/hasp4/enduser.aspx.
Note: Run the hinstall.exe executable file with info key to determine the current
version f the driver.
2. If even after new driver installation you still have a problem you have to
switch off the DEP function. Follow the following procedure to do this (you
must be logged in as system administrator):
a) Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then

click OK or Click Start, right-click My Computer,
and then click Properties.
19
b) Click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings
under the Startup and Recovery field.
c) In the System startup field, click Edit. The
Boot.ini file opens in Notepad.
d) In Notepad, click Find on the Edit menu.
e) In the Find what box, type /noexecute, and then
click Find Next.
f) In the Find dialog box, click Cancel.
g) Replace policy_level with AlwaysOff. WARNING Make
sure that you enter the text accurately. The
Boot.ini file switch should now read:
/noexecute=AlwaysOff. So if initially the file read
like:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
after changing it should read:
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect /NoExecute=AlwaysOff
h) In Notepad, click Save on the File menu.
i) Click OK two times.
j) Restart the computer.
Now all the drivers should work correctly. If problem still exists even after DEP is
switched off or if you dont wish to switch DEP off completely please contact the software
developers.
4.2.2. Network type of the protection key
There is a network protection key that is installed on one of the computers in the
LAN and controls access of many users at the same time. The maximum amount of users that
could log in at the same time is determined when you purchase the network license. The
installation of the network key is performed at program delivery by the developers specialist
or by the users system administrator following the special instruction (included into the
delivery package). There are two features if you are using network protection key. First, the
local (normal) protection key has a priority before the network one. If both of them are
installed (connected) you will log in using the local protection key. Second, you must take
into account that the current version of the program uses the local file pass.ini for granting
access to the users even if the network protection key is installed. It means that the mentioned
file must be created by the system administrator in advance (see chapter 6).
4.3. Update procedure
The version 1.9.9 of the WinArm32 program supports automatic software update
(you need to have an active Internet connection).
20
To check the availability of updates use the Help/Update menu item (this menu
item will be disabled if Internet connection does not exist). Respond positively on the
question that will appear to search for updates available or refuse from this operation.
If the program finds an update the new window with the information about the date
of release will be shown (Figure 4.4). The message that update is not necessary will be shown
otherwise.
Figure 4.4
If you respond positively the update package will be downloaded and installed. The
program will be closed and restarted automatically during update process.
While administering a computer or LAN, customizing firewall etc. Make sure that
ports 25 and 110 are open for the WinArm32 program. No other interfaces are used for
update.
Automatic update is available starting from version 1.9.9. Customers are able to use
the program's internet site located at www.winarm.ru or contact developers directly via
info@winarm.ru to get update up to that version.
Just run the WinArm32_Update.exe file and all the necessary changes will be made
automatically.
Attention: Before running an update program you have to close the WinArm32
program and all the MS Word files that use program templates.
21
Starting the program
5. Starting the program and working with files
5.1. First start of the program
Before starting the program at first time it is recommended to make sure that
protection key (HASP) is plugged into the USB slot and its driver is properly installed (red
light is on) (chapter 4.2). To start WinArm32 follow the standard procedure that is double
click by the left mouse button on the executable file (winarm32.exe) or on shortcuts that were
placed by the setup program on the desktop and in the Start menu. The Input password
window appears (Figure 5.1), which prompts the user to register in the program.
The WinArm32 setup program has the default user with the name WinArm32,
password - 100 and system administrator access level. During the first start of the program
you must login using these user name and password (Figure 5.1).
Figure 5.1
After logging into the program the system administrator adds new users and
specifies their levels of access (chapter 6).
The appearance of the components of the user interface in Windows XP depends on
the theme selected in the systems screen properties dialog box.
5.2. Normal start of the program
During the following starts of the program the Input password window will contain
by default the name of the user that was last to work with the program.
Note: While inputting user name and password you have to check keyboard
language layout and to remember that program differentiates between capital and ordinary
characters.
Attention, for versions 1.9.7 and above you are not able to start the program if the
protection key is not connected. If you disconnect the key after the program was started the
program will exit automatically in a short period of time.
For earlier versions of the program, the user will be logged in with the lowest level
of access if the protection key is not connected to the computer when program is being
started.
The program provides an alternative way for logging in that will be implemented if
the special named protection key (Professional version) is connected. This key allows the
user to modify existing and to create new algorithms for the express-analysis. This key does
not require the user name and password to be inputted because they are already pre-
programmed in the key's memory.
Note: After special adjustments done by the developers the Professional key may
also be used as a regular one with user's name and password inputing. The access level for
those users whose names are not written in key's memory will be defined by the settings made
22
Starting the program
by system administartor (chapter 6). If user's name written in the key's memory as well as the
correct password are entered then the Professional level of access will be granted.
The WinArm32 setup program registers in the Windows system register new
file types with the following extensions: arm (data file), hdr (header file) and tra (flight path
file). The files of the registered types are marked by the icon. To start the program
opening a particular file you have to double click on the desired file name or its shortcut by
the left mouse button.
The program supports also the Drag and Drop functions.
The program remembers the names of four most recently open files. To load one of
those files, you need to close the Database window (if it is open) and select the appropriate
item from the File menu.
If program displays an error message during file opening it is recommended to save
this file and contact software developers to solve this issue.
5.3. Starting the program in client mode
After entering correct users name and password or after pressing Cancel button the
program begins to work in the client mode (chapter 7) with the specified access level to the
resources.
5.4. Starting the program in server mode
To start the program in server mode (chapter 8) you have to use the command line
options. Use Run from Start menu and enter this command: C:\Program
Files\Winarm32\winarm32.exe serv. The program will start in server mode and minimize
automatically into the system tray. Double click on the program icon in the system tray to
display the program's window.
5.5. Selecting the language
The program enables to select the interface, help files and parameters description
language. To select the language close all the affiliated windows including database window
and open popup menu by right clicking inside the programs main window (Figure 5.2).
Figure 5.2
23
Data protection
6. Data protection
To protect the data and to authorize access to them the program provides four different
levels of access:
System administrator;
Advanced user;
User;
Guest.
Note: These levels of access do not affect the Professional package of the program
(chapter 2.3).
Users name and password that are input while logging into the program (Figure
5.1) specify the level of access. The program will give a special warning if the users name
and/or password are incorrect. After that the program invites the user to repeat password
input. You have to remember that the program differentiates between capital and ordinary
characters. If password input is incorrect three times on end or Cancel button is pressed the
program logs on with the lowest level of access Guest. Current level of access is indicated
in the caption of the programs main window.
Only system administrator may add new users or change their level of access using
Change password window (Figure 6.1) that appears after selecting the File/Password menu
item.
Figure 6.1
Press Ins key while list field is active to add a new user. To delete the line with the
user name press Del key. To change a users level of access select the appropriate switch of
the Access type field. Current level of access is indicated in the Access column: A system
administrator, AU advanced user and U user.
Note: the program will prevent you from deleting the last user with system
administrator privileges.
24
Data protection
To specify resources accessibility for different levels use Winarm32 security
settings dialog (Figure 6.2) that appears after clicking the Settings button in the Change
password window (Figure 6.1).
Figure 6.2
You can open or restrict access to the following programs resources:
Information readout.
Copying information from server.
copying information from standard file.
Deleting data files.
Editing graphic forms and standard tasks.
Making new header files.
Full header editing.
Calibration tables editing.
All passport fields editing.
Passport fields editing (except first three fields).
Printing information (plots, tables).
Setting (removing) frame failures.
Parameters (information words) editing.
Changing and deleting files on the server.
Secondary information processing (Tasks menu item).
An advanced user may change only their own users name and password.
25
Database window in client mode
7. Database window in client mode
The database window of the WinArm32 program appears immediately after

program starting or after the button is clicked. The database window is shown on Figure
7.1.
Note: The user may disable automatic displaying of the database window at
program startup by selecting an appropriate item from the popup menu (Figure 7.2) that
appears after right clicking on the field that contains the name of the current folder.
You are not able to change the size of the window directly. The program
automatically places this window in the middle of the screen with equal horizontal and
vertical offsets. The offsets are defined by the position of the left upper corner when the
window is closed after pressing OK button. It means that to change the size of the database
window when it is displayed next time just move it along the screen until the left upper corner
achieves the desired position and close it using OK button.
Figure 7.1
The name of the folder where the program looks for the data files is indicated in the
top middle part of the window. Once a new folder is selected, to speed up the work, the
program will cache information about files from this folder in RAM (Random Access
Memory). If a file is added (deleted) using program's interface the information will be
automatically updated. If a file is added (deleted) using operating system means (while the
program is working) you need to update the information in a cache-file manually to display
this file in the database window. To do this just left click on the field with the name of the
current folder. The other way is to use the appropriate item from the popup menu (Figure 7.2).
Right click the field with the folder name to display the popup menu shown on
Figure 7.2. This menu allows specifying the Database window behavior at program start-up as
well as to include into the files search path all the subfolders of the current folder and to
define the way numerical part of the name of a new data file is created. In addition you may
toggle on or off the programs feature to set up frame failure marks automatically while
importing the data from a file.
26
Figure 7.2
Note: If subfolders are included into the search path the color of the field
background is changed to green.
To change a data folder press the button and select a desirable folder. Right
clicking the given button will display a list with the four most recently used data folders.
Select one of them to be transferred quickly.
Note: The user may select not only the local folder but also network folders on any
computer in the LAN. However, it is strongly recommended to use network capabilities of
the program itself instead of operating system network support. The way the program works
in the client-server mode is described in the current and following chapters.
Note: if the WinArm32 program is started by double clicking on a file of one of the
registered types (arm or hdr, chapter 5.2) and ESC key is pressed then the Database window
will be shown and the folder that contains the selected file becomes the active one. The file
itself will not be loaded immediately in the viewer window.
After data folder is changed the program searches for the data files and header files.
On the top level, the program sorts the files using aircraft type specified in the first field of the
passport (chapter 9.1). Next sorting is done using any of the six passport fields: Reg.No, Note,
Date, Flight, Pilot and Size. To select a field for sorting click by the left mouse button on the
fields caption. The Reg.No. field is used by default for the second-level sorting.
The user may select files of which type will be displayed in the database window.
The file of all the types (arm and hdr extensions) will be displayed by default. The header
files (hdr extension) are earmarked with the red circle (Figure 7.1). The data files (arm
extension) are earmarked with the blue rectangle. Compressed files are earmarked by the gray
rectangle. The file is earmarked with additional red tick if it contains express-analysis results
(chapter 12). The "loud speaker" symbol will be added if a file contains at least one parameter
of the sound stream type (chapter 9.4). The user may customize window appearance so that
only data files (arm) or header files (hdr) will be displayed. The display mode will change
each time the user left clicks on the caption of the field that defines the secondary file sorting
mode. This caption is Reg.No. (ALL) on Figure 7.1.
To select a file from the database just left click on the desired line in the list.
Attributes of the selected file are shown on blue background. If OK button is pressed and data
file is selected the program window will change to represent registered information on the
screen (chapter 10). If header file is selected (chapter 9.1) then, depending on the Tasks
switch position the program will change either to the header editing mode (chapter 9) or to the
data readout mode (chapter 9.6).
Popup menu (Figure 7.3) appears after right clicking on the list of files.
27
Figure 7.3
Using this menu you can delete the selected file from the database, save it with a
different name, compress/decompress the file and, if network connection is established and
WinArm32 server (do not mix it with a mail server described below) is active, you may send
it to the database on server. It should be noted that after a file is deleted it will be placed into
the Recycle Bin and may be recovered using Windows standard procedure.
Compressed files are also displayed in the database window. They are earmarked
with the grey rectangle. The size column contains the key word "archive". Left double click
on a compressed file or select the appropriate popup menu item to decompress it.
Two additional services provide you with the capability to send and receive files via
E-mail with the help of remote mail server. You must have the active Internet connection to
use these functions. Also the e-mail address has to be specified (see below the description of
the Network connection settings window). Attention, these menu items are disabled if there
is no network connection. A file will be automatically compressed before sending via e-mail.
The user may select between two possible modes of transmission: to mail server or to a
particular address (Figure 7.4).
Figure 7.4
Selection of the To mail server item will send the file to the mail server specified in
the Network connection settings window. The name of the server on Figure 7.8 is
yandex.ru. Selection of the To particular address item will display the window showed on
Figure 7.5. This window allows you to define a particular address for delivery. If you want to
specify several addresses they have to be separated with a comma symbol. Regardless of the
user selection the sender's name and subject field will be filled in automatically. The sender's
name consists of WinArm32 prefix and protection key's unique number which was used to
log into the program. The number will be put into the round brackets for example
"WinArm32(#43)". The subject field will be compiled from the content of A/C type,
Reg.No, Date and Flight fields of the passport.
28
Figure 7.5
The associated message could be written in the bottom part of the window.
Selection of the Download file from e-mail server popup menu item will display
the database window of the e-mail server (Figure 7.6). The window lists all the data files from
the current e-mail server. The user may select several files for downloading and/or deleting.
The program will also ask the user to confirm automatic erasing of the file from the server
after downloading is completed. After a file is downloaded the user may change its name and
select the folder. The Database window will automatically change the current folder and the
last downloaded file will be made active.
Figure 7.6
Right click on the second-level sorting field (in the left part of the window) to
display the popup menu (Figure 7.7).
Figure 7.7
29
Using this popup menu you may compress in one click all the files which names are
displayed in the right part of the window as well as to sort the express-analysis events
(chapter 12.3.1).
The button allows you to connect to the WinArm32 server database. This
button becomes enabled after connecting the computer to the network. Network configuration
parameters are set in the dialog window (Figure 7.8), that appears after clicking the
button.
Figure 7.8
Server IP address (chapter 8) and port number have to be set. The program uses port
number 1000 by default.
If server is active and network settings are properly installed the server database
window will appear on the screen (Figure 7.9). Server IP address as well as free disk space
will be indicated in this window and the appearance of the button will change to . The
appropriate warning will be shown if the program is not able to establish the connection to the
server. In this case, check network configuration parameters first and consult your
administrator if the server is currently active.
30
Figure 7.9
After choosing a data file the program invites the user to select a local folder to save
the file in. The file will be automatically downloaded into the program and server connection
will be terminated. The downloaded file will appear in the database and can be selected for
further processing.
The UDP section enables setting UDP protocol parameters that will be used to
transfer flight data to other applications (hapter 10.20). In the IP address field insert the
address of the computer that houses the client application receiving the data. If the application
is at the same computer where WinArm32 is located the address will be 127.0.0.1. In the
Port (exp) field select the number of the port through which WinArm32 will transfer data to
the client application. In the Port (imp) field select the port through which the client
application will send requests to WinArm32. The port numbers can be selected at random
from the free open ports on the computer in use.
The Network Parameters window also allows you to set up E-mail server
parameters that will be used for sending and delivering files via e-mail. The name of the
servers for incoming and outcoming mail as well as e-mail address, login and password
should be specified. You may change the server names, login and password at any time and
monitor files sent to the server to guarantee that all the messages will stay confidential. To
check the setting accuracy click Check connection.
31
Database window in server mode
8. Database window in server mode
8.1. WinArm32.exe Server Mode
The program starts in server mode after the serv command line option was used
(chapter 5.4). Once started the program automatically minimize itself into the system tray and
works in server mode. To open the programs window (Figure 8.1) double click its icon
in the system tray.
Figure 8.1
If the button is on the program is ready to serve client applications. The

window displays statistical data of clients actions.
The name of the current folder where the program will look for the data files is
displayed in the top middle part of the window. To select a new data folder press
button. This button becomes available after switching the button to off-mode ( ).
To configure server network parameters (port number) press the button.

The program uses a port with the number of 1000 by default. It is not recommended to change
this number. Attention, in case this number is changed you have to restart the program to
activate changes.
The current server IP address is also indicated in the window. This value has to be
set to configure the client part of the network connection (chapter 7).
To start working in server mode click on button.
Note: This button becomes enabled after the computer is connected to a local
network.
The button appearance will change to if the program successfully enters the
server mode and the list of network events will be shown on the screen.
Log file is created in the LOG folder if the program works in server mode. Network
events are saved in this file. Log file is a simple ASCII file. A name of the file is the current
date in dd-mm-yyyy format. It means that a new file will be created every day. Using log files
a system administrator can monitor access to the data files.
It is recommended to delete or to make archives of the log files every month.
32
8.2. Swa32.exe Server Mode
This server is not part of the standard package and can be downloaded from the
program website at:
http://www.winarm.ru/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=28&func=fileinfo&id=18.
This link is available only for registered users. If the link is not active, or if you see a blank
webpage you should register at the site.
The difference of this server version from the one described in Chapters 5.4 and 8.1
is that this server is a Windows applied service, that does not require logging into the system
and running WinArm32. This service can operate if there is not protection key on the
computer (Chapter 4.2).
After the archive file is downloaded it shall be unzipped and extract the only file
(swa32.exe) to a folder where all the files for joint access will be copied (server database).
Only for unification purposes the recommended folder address is C:\Server32.
After extracting the executable file from the archive it shall be installed in a standard
way for Windows. In the command line type swa32.exe /install (Figure 8.1). All setup
actions must be done using Administrator's access level.
Figure 8.1
There will be a notification on the installation result. If the installation is
unsuccessful, attempt again, and in case of failure contact your system administrator or
software developers.
The service is uninstalled by swa32.exe /uninstall. It may be required to uninstall
the program before installing a new version.
After installing the service it shall be activated (or the computer shall be rebooted
for automatic activation). Activation is done by standard Windows means. For example for
Windows XP you shall open Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services (Figure 8.3),
select Server WinArm32 and run the service (run link is in the left upper corner of the
window or in the popup menu activated by right click). The service is stopped using the same
window.
33
Figure 8.2
After the Windows operating system is run the service will be activated
automatically (before the User logs in the system).
Connection to the server from a different computer is done in a usual manner as was
described in Chapter 7. If connection failed but it is known that the server computer is on and
available (ping command is passing), it can be required to authorize swa32.exe as an
exception in Windows Firewall (Control Panel/Windows Firewall) (Figure 8.4).
Figure 8.3
34
After the connection is completed the server window will appear (Figure 7.9) with a
specified address and available space. Further operations with the server do not differ from
those described above.
Connection statistics is collected in the log.txt file which is located in the main
server folder.
Caution, a significant difference of the server type described in 8.1 from the one
described here is that the earlier described server allows the server administrator to change the
folder where files for joint access will be searched for. The server decribed here uses only one
folder to search for files, the folder to which swa32.exe file was extracted.
Simultaneous use (on one computer) of both server types is not permitted as they use
the same port to connect to the client applications.
35
Information read out
9. Preparation for readout and reading out the flight parametric information
Data file creation procedure is described in this chapter. There are two different types
of files in the WinArm32 program:
Header file with .hdr extension;
Data file with .arm extension.
Header file is a file with hdr extension. This file contains all the information (list of
parameters, calibrations etc.) that is necessary to present the flight data. The copy of a header
file is saved into the each data file created on the basis of the given header. This copy of the
header could be edited independently from the mother header. Changes will affect the
current data file only. To spread changes on the other data files as well as to save the changes
as a new header file you have to use procedures described in chapter 10.10. The word header
file is also used in this manual to refer to the copy of the header inside the data file.
Data file is a file with arm extension. This file contains the flight data as well as some
other information needed to present the data and to save results of work (graphic forms,
express-analysis results etc). Each data file has a copy of the header that was used to create
this file. The parameters of this header may be changed. The changes will apply only to the
current data file. The data file is self sufficient. It means that to work with this file on a
different computer you need WinArm32 only. You do not need any additional user-created
files.
Normal procedure to create data file consists of the following basic steps:
Parameters list (cyclogram) preparation;
Calibration tables input;
Flight information readout.
The first two items are combined together in the WinArm32 and correspond to
header file creation. Registered flight data will be attached to a header file after that. The
combination of registered data together with information from header file as well as graphic
forms created by the user and express-analysis results (if any) will make a data file. As it was
mentioned above, a header file is a key for registered data interpretation. It contains
information about FDR type (model, format, frame length and so on), set of registered
parameters (type of the parameter, addresses inside a frame, calibration table or equation) and
different display settings (color, position on the screen, scale and so on). Thus, data file
creation starts from preparation of an appropriate header file.
9.1. Header file preparation
You may create a new header either from the beginning or on the basis of the existing
header for a similar type of aircraft (see chapter 10.10 for instruction how to save a header).
The second way is more preferable because it saves time and protects from many failures, for
example in address assignment.
To create a new header press the Add *.hdr button in the database window (Figure
7.1). To edit an existing header file select it in the list of files, check Header editing switch
(Figure 7.1) and press OK. The Header editor window (Figure 9.1) will appear in both cases.
Note: The particular appearance of the window depends on the selected header file
and type of the current parameter.
36
Figure 9.1
The window consists of the list located in the right part of the window that contains the
short names of the parameters from the current header and number of pages whose quantity
and type depend on the currently selected parameter.
The date when the header was changed the last time and the number of a protection
key (chapter 4.2) that was used to log in the program are displayed in the bottom part of the
window.
9.1.1. Passport, common data page
The Passport, common data page (Figure 9.2) provides the ability to set up general
FDR parameters and to fill in passport fields.
Figure 9.2
The program specifies seven passport fields by default (up to and including the
Header line). You can return to default passport at any time after right clicking on passport
field and selecting Standard passport item from the popup menu. The other menu items help
37
you to define the passports for different types of the aircrafts. The additional fields of the
passport will be used during express-analysis implementation (chapter 12). The length of each
field is limited to the 255 characters. The passport may contain no more than 100 lines. The
total number of characters of all the passport fields (including captions of the fields) may not
exceed 2900 characters.
Use the appropriate lines of the popup menu to add or delete passport fields. It is
strongly recommended not to delete the pre-defined passport lines and to add lines only after
all the predefined lines. Otherwise, the correct work of the express-analysis algorithms that
are supplied with the program is not guaranteed.
You may use one of the procedures described below to fill in passport fields:
just after the data file is created the program will prompt you to fill in the
passport;
in Header editor window (only if you have access to that window);
in Database window after selecting a file and pressing F2 key;
in information viewing window after pressing Ctrl+F2 keys.
Additional files is a group of files with the same name that are located in the same
folder but have different extensions used by the program to identify the way this file will be
used. The Add files field specifies the name of the file (without extension) and the path to this
file starting from the program's main folder. The names of the subfolders are separated with
backslash. Thus, additional files are linked to the particular data or header file. You may use
the same additional files in many header or data files. Current version of the program supports
four different extensions (types) of additional files:
the line number in the passport (001, 010 etc) defines the pick-file;
stn extension defines current file with standard tasks;
fom extension defines a file with comments to express-analysis events;
alg extension defines a file for automatic saving and inserting express-
analysis algorithms.
The example on Figure 9.2 sets the file name as an-74. This file is located in work
subfolder of the program's main folder. The specified name is used to build up full names of
the files (by adding the appropriate extension) that contain additional information. For
example, if the file an74.007 exists in the work subfolder then the values of the seventh
passport field will be selected from the drop-down list that consists from the lines of the
mentioned file. The same file of the simple text format may be created for any field of the
passport. The Notepad program is recommended to prepare those files. If the file exists then
the direct editing of the corresponding field is disabled. This function may be used for
specifying registration numbers of all the aircraft operated by the airline or pilots' names.
Note: The program uses the following rules to interpret pick-files. All passport fields
(lines from the file) are read and kept by the program as text lines. First seven fields are also
interpreted as text lines. For other fields, all the symbols of a text line (before first space
symbol) which may be converted to figures (numbers) are interpreted as figures. The trailing
symbols are ignored therefore may be used for comments that will appear in the
corresponding line. Important, a comment must be separated from the fields value by at least
one space symbol.
If the main (root) folder of the WinArm32 program has a file named pass.007 and the
local file (in our example work\an74.007) is absent then the list items will be made up from
the lines of the pass.007 file. If both files do not exist the corresponding field should be edited
manually.
The program provides a possibility to create local pick-files that affect only the
particular passport field (line) in the particular file. Those data are kept in the header. For
example, in a header you may specify names of all the pilots that fly a particular aircraft and
select the appropriate name when creating a new data file.
38
The Param list drop-down field allows selecting the name of text file that will be used
for parameters definition when adding to the header file (chapter 9.1.2). The drop-down list is
filled in automatically with names of the file names of given format located in the programs
main folder.
FDR type has to be selected in the Data format field. If data file format do not comply
with any FDR type arbitrary data format should be selected.
If the particular FDR type is selected all other fields (except Time, Day, Month, Year
and Flight fields) are filled in automatically and could not be changed. The exception is
recording systems (for example BUR) which require additional parameters to be specified.
These parameters define the order number of the current subframe inside a frame and a
superframe (Subframe inside frame identifier and Subframe inside superframe
identifier), as well as the order number of the current frame inside a superframe (Frame
inside superframe identifier). The last parameter is mainly used for western-type recorders.
These parameters have to be selected from the list (Figure 9.3), that appears after left clicking
on the appropriate field.
Figure 9.3
Note: The list is made from the parameters that are already added to the current
header. Thus, desirable parameters have to be included in the header in advance.
These fields are used to determine the values of other parameters in case it is not
registered in every subframe and to present the service information as an analog parameter.
The described parameters are included in the predefined parameters list (file param.txt)
under identification numbers 51, 52 and 53 respectively. The user has to specify the
registration addresses of those parameters and number of bits that are used to calculate the
values. Address number 33 must be set for both parameters if BUR-3 is the registration
system (Figure 9.4).
39
Figure 9.4
Combinations of bits that define the order number of a subframe inside a frame and a
superframe are shown on the Figure 9.5 and Figure 9.6.
Figure 9.5
40
Figure 9.6
If these fields are left blank the program assumes by default that all the parameters are
registered in each subframe. To present service information as analog parameter (Figure 9.34
and Figure 9.35) you must fill in Subframe inside superframe identifier field.
Arbitrary data format selection gives you the ability to specify data structure
manually.
Left double click on the Time field lets you specify the short name of the parameter
which contains the value of the registered time denoted in seconds. In case of the pre-defined
FDR types it is recommended to leave this field empty because the program "knows" where
the time is registered. Usually, this field is used to display the information from western-made
recorders. The short name of the calculated parameter that defines the value of the registered
time (in seconds) has to be specified. The example of how to define such kind of parameter
for Boeing 767-3 is shown on the Figure 9.7and Figure 9.8.
Figure 9.7
41
Figure 9.8
The Day, Month, Year and Flight fields (Figure 9.2) as well as the Time field let
you specify the source data for those parameters if they are registered by the current FDR.
Once you specify the source data, the corresponding parameter will appear in the indicator
field of the information viewing window as well as there will be the possibility to fill in the
corresponding passport fields automatically (chapter 10.12).
The Default standard task field (Figure 9.2) contains a number of the standard task
(chapter 10.1.1) which will be displayed after the file is open. If number 0 is selected then the
parameters that were displayed when the file was closed the last time will be displayed again.
9.1.2. Parameter page
The Parameter page is shown above on the Figure 9.1.
The short names of the parameters that have been already added to the current header
are shown in the list in the right part of the window. Analog parameters are on the top of the
list and On/Off signals are below. You can move the selected parameter up and down using
the buttons located just below the list. Analog parameters and On/Off signals may be moved
only inside their respective groups.
The popup menu (Figure 9.9) will be displayed after right clicking on the list of the
parameter. This menu helps you to find the desired parameter using the part of its ID number
or short name as well as to add a parameter, to delete a parameter and to duplicate a
parameter.
Figure 9.9
You can add a new parameter to the header either manually (by selecting the
appropriate item from popup menu) or selecting it from the predefined list of the parameters.
42
The second way is highly recommended. The predefined list of parameters (Figure 9.10)
appears after clicking the Param.List button.
Figure 9.10
The checkboxes of the parameters already added to the header are marked. To add a
new parameter to the header just select (mark) the appropriate checkbox in the left part of the
list. The description of the newly added parameters will be entered in both Russian and
English languages. Remove the mark if you want to delete a parameter from the header.
Check Selected parameters switch to see only parameters that are already added to the
header. To navigate through the list use the Go to the group field. You will be moved to the
selected group of analog parameters or On/Off signals depending on the switch position. The
standard Search dialog will be displayed after right clicking on the list of the parameters. This
dialog helps you to find the desired parameter using a part of its description.
Each parameter has its unique identification number. The program uses this number
to identify parameters in graphic forms, standard tasks, express analysis and so on. For the
predefined parameters these numbers are assigned by software developers. They are defined
in the param.txt file (or any other that is selected in Param.list field on the Passport,
common data page) that is provided in installation package. You must not change the ID
numbers of the parameters included in the predefined parameters list because it may lead to
incorrect results of express-analysis and some other tasks. On the other hand you can change
contents of all other fields (name, short name and so on).
Note: Each time you press the OK button in Parameters list (Figure 9.10) window the
program restores all the attributes of the parameters using the predefined list. If you want for
example to change names of some parameters you have at first to complete the header and
after that make your changes. You may also check the field Do not change existing
parameters. In this case the program will not change the attributes of the parameters that
were added before.
To add a new parameter of the given type manually you have to select the appropriate
item of the popup menu (Figure 9.9). A new parameter will be added before the selected one.
Unique identification number will be assigned automatically. It is recommended not to change
43
this number. If you still want to change it you have to guarantee the number to be unique.
Remember that users number must be more than 7000. You also have to define short name,
name, unit and all other attributes of the parameter. Press the or buttons to change the
language temporarily and enter the description of the parameter in another language.
Note: Pressing these buttons leads to temporary language changing. To activate the
different language for outputting parameters on the screen and printing you have to select the
main program language (chapter 5.5).
Some special attention has to be paid to the Unit field. Right click this field to display
the popup menu (Figure 9.11) whose items describe the physical (engineering) nature of the
parameter. The Not fixed item is selected by default. In this case the field may be manually
edited by the user. If you fix the unit (physical nature) of the parameter the field becomes
disabled for manual editing. The content of the filed is written in dark blue color. If
engineering nature of the parameter is fixed the user is able to view the parameter values
expressed in different units that is to recalculate them quickly from one unit to another, for
example km/h <-> knots (chapter 10.2.5).
Figure 9.11
You may need to hide some parameter on a certain time interval. For example, some
parameters may be registered incorrectly when an aircraft is not moving or engines are not
started. To do this you may use the . field and define an event name
(calculated or registered On/Off signal) which governs parameter's appearance. Left double
click on that field to display a window and define a short name of the On/Off signal. Once the
name is defined left click on the field's name to switch between [-] and [+] symbols, that
correspond to not displaying (or displaying) of the current parameter if the selected On/Off
signal exists.
Select the Do not display checkbox (Figure 9.1) to tell the program that the current
parameter is for service purposes only and will not be included into the list of parameters
whose plots may be displayed. This checkbox allows you to hide the parameters which, for
example, are used for calculating some intermediate values needed for integration and so on.
The selected state of Export UDP switch (Figure 9.1) prepares the parameter to be
exported to other applications from the parameters viewing window using UDP protocol.
UDP protocol settings are made in the Network connection settings window (Figure 7.8).
To remove currently selected parameter from the header press Del key or select the
appropriate item from the popup menu (Figure 9.9).
At the highest level all the parameters are divided onto three groups: analog parameters
(AP), On/Off signals (Events) and sound streams. In turn analog parameters are divided onto
the analog calibrated and analog not calibrated types. On/Off signals are divided onto the
1-bit and calculated types. Select a type of the parameter in Parameter type field.
Regardless of type every parameter has short name (no more than 8 symbols), full
name and unique identifier. The colors to represent a parameter in the Plot for analysis
(chapter 10.2) and Plot for printing (chapter 10.11) modes are set using Colors field
(Figure 9.1). Usually, these fields are used only for defining the color for initial (first time)
displaying of the parameter. For example, select the desirable colors in these fields in order to
prevent all the parameters to be displayed at the first time in default colors: red in Plot for
analysis and blue in Plot for printing view modes. Right click on the Colors field and
44
confirm your intention if you want different colors to be automatically assigned to all the
parameters in the current header. We do not recommend using the Colors field to change the
colors of the parameters during routine work with plots because it will result in several time
consumable operations with the data file. See chapter 10.2.2 to learn about quick ways to
change colors of the parameters.
9.2. Analog parameter types
9.2.1. Analog calibrated
The Header editor window changes to the view represented on the Figure 9.12 if this
parameter type is selected.
Figure 9.12
First of all a type of the analog calibrated parameter has to be selected from the drop
down list. Also the number of bits in information word has to be specified (the field Bits in
information word)). This value depends on the type of FDR and is 8 for MSRP-64, MSRP-
256 and Tester FDRs. For BUR and MSRP-A-02 FDRs it may be from 9 up to 12 depending
on a parameter. It is recommended to check this value for every parameter in FDR
documentation.
The Sign checkbox if selected tells the program that the current address contains the
number presented in reverse format. This type is used for decoding of parameters of synchro
type when the code value (raw data) may be negative and zero of the code value does not
correspond to zero of the engineering units. In this case you are not able to use the regular
conversion equation (value of MSB/LSB as a factor and sign mark in the MSB) but have to
use calibrations to recalculate code values into engineering units.
Note: representation of positive numbers is equal in both straight and reverse formats.
To represent a negative number in reverse format you have to take the positive number of the
same magnitude, add 1 in sign position (MSB), to reverse all other bits (change zeros to ones
and vice versa) and add 1 to the least significant bit.
9.2.1.1. One calibration branch

This is the most used type of analog parameter (Figure 9.12).
Calibration points have to be specified on the Calibration table page (Figure 9.13).
Service information about by whom and when last changes to the calibration were made is
presented in the information line (in the middle part of the window).
45
The Calibr. parameter field (if it is not empty) contains a short name of a parameter
that will be used as a calibration parameter for the code values of the active (selected)
parameter. The meaning of a calibration parameter is that code values of the registered
parameter for which a calibration parameter is defined, before a calibration table is applied,
will be divided by the calibration parameter value and multiplied by 100%. In that case, the
program will automatically consider the corresponding calibration table to be specified in
percent. To specify a calibration parameter you have to use a list that appears after left
clicking on the Calibr. parameter field. Use Del key to delete a calibration parameter.
The calibration is defined in a form of a table. To add a line (a new calibration point)
to the table press Ins key when the cursor (input focus) is in the table of the calibration points.
To delete the current line (the current calibration point) from the table press Del key. By
default, the Code column shows the code values of the calibration points. Left click on the
caption of the column to change to the percents. Left click once again to return to codes.
Note: if the table contains empty lines the calibration chart will not be displayed. To
have it displayed delete all empty lines. The software will automatically delete empty lines
when leaving the calibration input mode (input focus change).
Figure 9.13
Graphical representation of the calibration table will be changing in accordance with
adding or modification of the calibration points. The current point is plotted in green color.
By default, engineering unit values are presented as a function of code values. Using
Codes=F(EU) switch you can change it vice versa that is EU values will be along X-axis and
code values will be along Y-axis.
The < button located near to the Codes=F(EU) switch allows to display two
additional columns in the table that contain the value of the calibration knots in forward and
backward direction. Attention, the program always uses the average calibration values.
The = button that appears simultaneously allows you to calculate the average values of the
calibration knots. If some values are absent in the forward or backward columns then the
value from the other column will be taken. If both columns are empty no change of calibration
will happen.
To print a header along with all the calibration tables click Print button when one of
the pages Parameter, Calibration table or Addresses is active. MS Word processor with the
automatically created file will appear to help you in printing. Press Esc key to abort printing.
The legend of all the conventions is located at the end of the file. The values of the most
46
significant or least significant bits for the parameters of the digital code (chapter 9.2.2.2)
type are given after MSB or LSB labels correspondingly. If the Express-analysis page is
active when the Print button is clicked then express-analysis algorithms will be printed
(chapter 12).
The program allows the user to calculate the code value from the engineering unit
value and vice versa using the current calibration. You just have to input a value in Code or
EU field. The program will calculate the corresponding value and plot it in blue color.
Additionally, this page lets the user set correction factors of a parameter and a way it
is presented on the screen. Correction factors are applied to the value received after
calibration table applying before plotting the parameter on the screen. They let to change a
parameter by multiplication of any value (coefficient K) and to move a parameter by addition
of any value (coefficient D). The K coefficient is 1 and the D coefficient is 0 by default that is
a parameter value is not changed. The D coefficient may be used to eliminate static error of
the parameter. The K coefficient may be used to change a slope of the calibration or to
convert for example speed values from km/h into m/sec or knots. Together the coefficients
may be used for calculating the true angle of attack values from the local angle of attack
values.
Additionally this page allows the user to set the minimum and maximum values of the
parameter (in engineering units) at the top and bottom boundaries of the analog parameters
field that will be shown on the screen that is to determine vertical scale of the parameter. The
given function has actually an information purpose because it is better to use the other
methods (chapter 10.2.7) to change the scale of the parameter. However, these fields may be
used to precise manual adjustment of the scale of the parameter.
There is one important feature when this field is used to customize parameter
appearance for first output on the screen when you add a new parameter to the header. After
adding a new parameter make sure that both the minimum and maximum values are not equal
to 0 because the program will not be able to scale the parameter normally in this case.
Registration addresses (word numbers) of the parameter and failure mark location are
set on the Addresses page (Figure 9.14). In case a parameter is registered more than one time
per frame (for example vertical overloading) each sample must be set (Figure 9.15). Press Ins
key to add a string and Del key to delete.
Parameter address is its position inside the recorded dats frame, Usually the
parameter address is assigned in accordance with the position of information word which has
a fixed length of 16 bits (2 bites). The address of the first information word in a frame is
always 1. For recording systems where addresses start with zero (MSRP-64) add one to every
address number. The program also allows assigning addresses with a tolerance of 1 bit.
Note: The maximum number of samples per frame for each parameter is 32.
Each parameter is presented in the data file by the word of two bytes length. The n bits
are used to record the code value of the parameter, where n is the value defined in the Bits in
information word field of the Parameter page. The other 16-n bits may be used to record
service information for example parameter failure mark (see below and in chapter 9.5).
47
Figure 9.14
Figure 9.15
You can specify an address either by actual offset in bits from the frame beginning or
by word number stated in frame structure map (ciclogram) which could be measured in 8, 16
or 32-bits words. The way you specify an address depends on the Address type switch
position.
Note: The Address type switch is disabled for the predefined FDR types with regular
frame structure. Addresses must be set in 16-bits words for those types.
In most cases you will use the second way (word number) to specify parameter's
address. The first information word has an address 1, the second address 2 and so on. Thus,
an address is to be taken directly from a cyclogram for MSRP-A-02, BUR and Tester FDRs.
Some FDR types (MSRP-64 or MSRP-256) use registration channel indexing starting from 0.
You have to plus 1 to the addresses stated in a cyclogram for those FDR types.
The first way to specify an address (offset in bits) is used for data files with arbitrary
frame structure if this type is selected on the Common data page. If you change the Address
type switch the program recalculates addresses from one form to another automatically.
48
The next column (Offset, bits from word beginning) contains an order number of the
first information bit inside the information word for the current parameter. Indexing starts
from zero. The value of this field must be zero for MSRP-64 and Tester FDRs that is n lower
bits are used for value coding, where n is a value specified in the Bits in information word
field on the Parameter page. This value may be 2 for some FDR types (BUR or MSRP-A-
02) if a parameter is coded using only 10 bits and first two bits are used for On/Off signals
registration (Figure 9.16).
Figure 9.16
The next column contains an offset (location) of the parameter failure mark. The
offset is counted in bits from the information word beginning. The maximum word length in
the modern FDRs is 12 bits so the bits 13-16 are empty and may be used for different
purposes. For standardization purposes only it is recommended to use bits number 13 and 15
or 16 for putting parameter failure marks for analog parameters and the On/Off signals
respectively. It means that for analog parameter the recommended value of this column is 12
(Figure 9.16) that is the 13-th bit will be used if necessary to set a failure mark.
There are FDR types (for example BUR-3) that register some parameters not every
subframe. The number of a subframe (subframe # field) where a parameter is registered must
be specified in those cases. For the parameters that are registered in every subframe the value
of this field must be 0. Additionally, you have to specify if this value belongs to indexing
inside frame or superframe. Registration of the relative height and right slats position on An-
74 aircraft may be an example. Both parameters are registered using the same address (49) but
in different subframes (Figure 9.17 and Figure 9.18). If selected FDR type does not require
subframe specification the field becomes disabled.
49
Figure 9.17
Figure 9.18
The current ARINC standard specifies that each frame consists of four subframes
and some parameters may be registered in more than one subframe. In this case, subframe
numbers have to be separated by comma. The program supports no more than 15 subframes.
Figure 9.19 shows an example of how to assign address in this case (for B-767 aircraft).
50
Figure 9.19
The frame map of almost all modern FDRs contains as a general rule one superframe
that consists of 64 subframes or, equally, of 16 frames. Parameters which change slowly
(current weight) are registered in superframe. Figure 9.20 shows an example of how to assign
address in this case. The Subframe# filed contains an equation of Y/X type, where X stands
for order number of frame inside superframe (between 0 and 15) and Y is order number of
subframe inside frame (between 1 and 4). The Y/X+D equation has to be used if a parameter
is registered several times in the superframe. In this case D defines the offset of the next
registration instant measured in frames and counted from the specified address. For example,
if D=4 then the program will automatically add 4 frames to the specified address until the sum
is less then 15. Attention, in case of using this kind of addressing make sure that the short
names of the parameters that defines the order numbers of frame inside superframe and
subframe inside frame are specified on the Passport, common data page in the appropriate
fields.
Figure 9.20
The of the Frame map page is shown on Figure 9.21.
51
Figure 9.21
This page lets you view the distribution of the parameters inside the frame according
to the current header and check the correctness of the specified addresses and offsets. Each
information word is presented by 16 horizontal lines which represent particular bits. Words
are counted by columns top down. The address and short name of the word currently located
below the cursor are displayed in the bottom part of the window. The offset of the current bit
(from word beginning) is also displayed.
The current subframe number must be specified in the appropriate filed for the FDRs
that have subframes registration structure (for example BUR-3). Specifying 0 value means
that only parameters registered in each subframe will be displayed.
Note: Regardless of the FDR type only registered analog parameters and On/Off
signals will be displayed on this page. The calculated parameters of different types will not be
shown.
Color coding is used to display different type of parameters. The analog parameters
are displayed in blue color. If a sign bit (type analog, not calibrated/digital code) or bits that
define the number of the current octant (type analog, calibrated/several calibration
branches and branch number) are present they will be displayed by light blue color. The
one-bit On/Off signals are displayed in green color. The On/Off signals of the UKR type are
displayed like analog parameters in blue color. Failure mark positions are displayed in light
green color. Empty bits are white. If the program finds conflicting addresses or bits then these
parameters will be shown in yellow color. Double click on this parameter to display the list
box (near the subframe # field) that will contain short names of the conflicting parameters.
Currently selected parameter is shown in red color. If the selected parameter is registered
more than one time per frame all the addresses will be shown in red. You may use either way
to select the parameter: select its short name from the conflicting parameter list (if any) or
from the list in the right part of the window or double click on the graphical representation of
the parameter.
9.2.1.2. Several calibration branches and branch number

An example of this type of parameter is magnetic heading (with octants) on An-74
airplane or Mi-171 helicopter. The value of the bits in information word field on the
Parameter page will be 9 in this case.
The Calibration table page appearance for this type is presented on Figure 9.22.
The user has to specify a number of calibration branches and calibration points for each
52
branch (first branch has number 0). In case not all the branches are used for calibration (for
example pitch attitude registration on Mi-171 helicopter) nevertheless the amount of branches
must be 8 and it is recommended to specify two arbitrary points (for example 0->0, 1->1) for
all the branches that are not used. Select the appropriate switch to view all the branches at the
same time. The current branch will be plotted in red color.
Figure 9.22
Recommendation: You have to assure correct switching from one calibration
branch (octant) to another. It is very often that documents with the calibration tables do not
contain engineering unit values for the boundaries of the octants (codes 0 and 511) but those
values must be specified in calibration. If those points are not defined the physical values
wont be calculated correctly on octants boundaries. For example presented on the Figure
9.22 (the current branch is 0) calibration for branch 1 must look as it is shown on the Figure
9.23.
Figure 9.23
53
There will be one new column on the Addresses page (Figure 9.24) which contains
an offset (in bits from the information word beginning) of the field where the current
calibration branch number is registered. For considered aircraft type (An-74) and parameter
(magnetic heading) this value will be 9 because the current calibration branch number is
registered starting from bit 10.
Figure 9.24
9.2.1.3. Several calibration branches and coarse parameter

An example of this type of parameter is precise pressure altitude registration on the
Il-86 aircraft. The short name of the coarse parameter has to be specified on the Parameter
page (Figure 9.25). It is selected from the Select parameter list (Figure 9.26) that appears
after left clicking on the Coarse parameter field.
Note: The list is made from the parameters that are already added to the header. Thus,
the desired parameter has to be included in the header in advance.
Figure 9.25
54
Figure 9.26
The Calibration table page for this type is shown on Figure 9.27. The amount of
calibration branches and calibration points for each branch has to be specified (first branch
has number 0). Select the appropriate switch to view all the branches at the same time. The
current branch will be plotted in red color.
Figure 9.27
9.2.1.4. Two calibration branches and On/Off signal

An example of this type of parameter is indicated airspeed registration on Il-86 and
Il-76 aircraft and also magnetic heading registration on Yak-42 and Tu-134 aircraft. Short
name of the appropriate On/Off signal has to be specified on the Parameter page (Figure
9.28). It is selected from the Select parameter list (Figure 9.26) that appears after left
clicking on the On/Off signal field.
55
Figure 9.28
Note: The list is made from the parameters that are already added to the header. Thus,
the desired On/Off signal has to be included in the header in advance.
The Calibration table page for this type is shown on the Figure 9.29. The amount
of the calibration branches will be set automatically and the user has only to specify
calibration points for each brunch. Select the appropriate switch to view both branches at the
same time. The current branch will be plotted in red color.
Figure 9.29
There is a feature in entering calibration points for two branches magnetic heading
(for example on Tu-134 aircraft) when the calibration point for 360 is located inside a
branch. A virtual calibration point of 0 has to be created in this case with corresponding code
value differing on small (Figure 9.30 and Figure 9.31).
56
Figure 9.30
Figure 9.31
9.2.1.5. Piecewise linear function of one argument

This type should be set for parameters that are linear or piecewise linear functions of
another parameter. Select a short name of the parameter that will be an argument on the
Parameter page (Figure 9.32). The Addresses page will be removed from the Header editor
window because the program will use the same addresses that have been defined for the
argument.
57
Figure 9.32
If there is a simple linear function (for example true angle of attack as a function of
local angle of attack) the linear calibration (for example 0->0, 1->1) should be set on the
Calibration table page and appropriate coefficients K and D have to be specified.
If there is a piecewise linear function the argument values in engineering units are to
be specified in the Code column of the Calibration table page and the corresponding
function values are to be specified in the EU column.
9.2.1.6. Piecewise linear function of two arguments

This type differs from the previous one only by number of arguments. Select short
names of two parameters on the Parameter page that will be used as arguments.
On the Calibration table page set amount of calibration points (amount of calib.
branches field) for the second argument. After that defining current calibration branch and
the values of the calibration points of the second argument in the appropriate field (2-nd
argument value field) set functional dependence from the first argument with the given value
of the second argument. Select the appropriate switch to view all the branches at the same
time. The current branch will be plotted in red color.
This type of parameter may be used for example to define aerodynamical correction
of airspeed registration as a function of altitude and airspeed.
9.2.2. Analog not calibrated
9.2.2.1. Real number

This type of parameter is used to represent the data from limited types of FDRs that
are usually used during test flights or for other special tasks. This is simply a real number of
4-bytes length. Because parameters are presented already in engineering units so there is no
need to specify a calibration and the fields for entering calibration tables on the Calibration
table page are absent.
9.2.2.2. Digital code

The Parameter page will look like it is shown on Figure 9.33 after selecting this
type of parameter.
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Figure 9.33
This type is widely used for example on MSRP-A-02 FDR as well as on western
build FDRs that support ARINC 429, 573 or 717. Vertical speed registration on Il-96 aircraft
is an example of this type of parameter (Figure 9.33). The bits from 16-bit information word
that will make code value of the parameter have to be checked in the Digital code field. The
value of the Code type field should be set to binary. To include a particular bit just check the
appropriate box. After selecting all the significant bits the value of the least significant bit or
most significant bit has to be set. For example, the value of the least significant bit is specified
on the Figure 9.33. To change from the least significant bit to the most significant bit just
click on the caption of the field. A bit where the sign is coded has to be specified in the Sign
field. If the current parameter has no sign (for example radio altitude) none item must be
selected.
Note: If the current parameter has the sign this bit should be excluded from the
number of bits that make code value of the parameter. It means that if any parameter is
described as 10-bits parameter with the sign, bits from 3 to 11 must be checked and the value
of the sign field must be 12 (Figure 9.33).
Note: Some FDRs assume that the maximum code value (for example 511 if
information word consists from 9 bits) corresponds to 0 value in engineering units. To display
these type of parameters correctly you have to check the MAX=0 box of the Transformations
field.
Right click on the Digital code filed to display the popup menu which allows
selecting one of the frequently used combinations of bits to automatically fill in all the
checkboxes.
Addresses of the parameter as well as failure mark position have to be set on the
Addresses page.
The digital code type may also be used to display subframe numbers and service
information of BUR FDR as analog parameters (Figure 9.34 and Figure 9.35). Parameter
address should be 33 in both cases.
59
Figure 9.34
Figure 9.35
Some parameters are coded in two adjacent words. Compressor rate registrations on
Tester FDR or altitude registration on western FDRs are examples of this type of registration
(Figure 9.36). Significant bits are to be selected from 32-bits word. Additionally a word that
will be considered as least significant (first) one must be specified. This is important because
some systems register at first most significant word and then least significant word. The
address of the information word that is registered first according to the ciclogram must be
specified on the Addresses page. If necessary you can invert calculated value and specify the
appropriate correction factor in the K field on the Calibration table page (Figure 9.37).
60
Figure 9.36
Figure 9.37
You may plot service information as analog parameter by selecting Dec-Bin (1-2-4-
2) or Dec-Bin (1-2-4-8) in the Code type field. An example for MSRP-64 FDR is shown on
Figure 9.38.
61
Figure 9.38
Selecting On/Off signals word value from the Code type drop down list allows you
to display a word of On/Off signals as analog parameter with fixed levels. This type is widely
used in different recorders of MSRP family as well as in western built recorders. The main
idea is that each bit in the information word represents one On/Off signal BUT different
combinations of bits do not represent any On/Off signal.
Note: see chapter 9.3.1.1 for explanation how to display On/Off signals that are
represented as a combination of bits.
Figure 9.39
Right click on the Digital code field to display the popup menu. Select the Editing
On/Off signals word item to display the editor window (Figure 9.40) that is used to assign
the names of the On/Off signals to the corresponding bits. Double click on the desired line of
the table to enter the name of the On/Off signal.
62
Figure 9.40
See chapters 10.2.5 and 10.11 for explanation of how to use parameters of this type
in the Plot for analysis and Plot for printing modes.
9.2.2.3. Predefined function

This type is a function predefined by developers whose arguments shall be specified
by the user. True airspeed calculation may be an example of this type. Indicated airspeed,
pressure altitude and aerodynamic correction are arguments of this function (Figure 9.41).
Figure 9.41
The short names of the arguments and values of the appropriate constants must be
specified on the Addresses page (Figure 9.42).
63
Figure 9.42
Each field may contain values of three different types: short name of the parameter
from the current header, passport field or constant. To specify parameters short name or
passport field you have to double click with the left mouse button on the desired line in the
Selected column and select the appropriate parameter from the popped up window. To
specify the constant you have to click with the left mouse button on the desired line in the
Selected column and, after small pause, to left click once again. Now you are able to enter the
values manually. The program marks with the red color bullet the fields where the short
names from the header are entered, with the green color passport fields and with the grey
color constants.
9.2.2.3.1. SRTM data type

SRTM data type (Shuttle radar topographic mission) is a particular case of
predefined function data type and corresponds to digital model of the Earth surface prepared
by NASA based on the space pictures. These data are distributed free of charge. The
WinArm32 uses the data with resolution of 3 seconds of arc (SRTM3).
The data are stored in files as a matrix. Each file stores relief data for a square with
dimension of 1 degree for latitude and longitude. Files are identified by name. For example,
the file name N57E037.hgt means that the file stores data for the range of 5758 degrees of
northern latitude and 3738 degrees of eastern longitude. Required files have to be saved in
advance in SRTM subfolder of the program's main folder. You may download data from
http://dds.cr.usgs.gov/srtm/version2_1/SRTM3/.
After a parameter of SRTM type is created you have to specify short names of
Latitude and Longitude from the current header on the Addresses page.
There is no difference in working with a parameter of this type after that.
9.2.2.4. Algorithm interpreter

This type is used to describe parameters whose values are results of logical and/or
arithmetical calculations. Both registered and calculated parameters may be operands in the
equation that defines the value of the parameter. The Parameter page is presented on the
Figure 9.43.
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Figure 9.43
The user may specify up to 8 analog parameters and 8 On/Off signals that will be
used in the calculations. Short names of the analog parameters should be specified in the A
line and short names of the On/Off signals - in the B line. The parameters have to be selected
from the Select parameter dialog (Figure 9.44) that appears after double clicking on the
appropriate field.
Figure 9.44
If an analog parameter is selected then the additional function that would be applied
to the values of the parameter before using them in the equation may be selected in the bottom
part of the window. The following functions may be applied:
1. Without additional conversion the values of the parameter denoted in
engineering units will be used in the equation without any modifications.
65
2. Addition of the code values between registration instants inside a frame
the sum of the absolute values of the additions of codes between
registration instants of the parameter inside a frame will be used in
calculations. This function is usually used to determine touch down moment
in the express-analysis algorithms.
3. Median on the base interval the median of the values of the parameter
denoted in engineering units will be used in the calculations. You have also
to specify the base interval length in seconds.
4. Average value on a base interval the average of the values of the
parameter denoted in engineering units will be used in the calculations. You
also have to specify the base interval length in seconds.
5. Difference between two adjacent registration instants magnitude of the
difference (in engineering units) between two adjacent registration instants in
a frame or, if a parameter is registered once per frame, the difference of the
values in two adjacent frames.
Left click on the caption of the A or B line to change the "-" symbol onto the "+"
symbol and further onto the # symbol and cycle repeats. If the "+" symbol is set (line A on
the Figure 9.43) then "registration instants" of the calculated parameter will match the
registration instants of the first parameter in the corresponding line. Otherwise, the calculated
parameter will be "registered" once per frame at relative time 0. If the "+" symbol is set in
both A and B lines then "registration instants" of the calculated parameter will match the
registration instants of the first analog parameter as well as the first On/Off signal. If the #
symbol is set then "registration instants" of the calculated parameter will match the
registration instants of all the analog parameters and/or On/Off signals depending on which
line (A and/or B) has the symbol installed.
After adding all the necessary parameters you have to specify the equation (Figure
9.43) that will define the value of the parameter. You have to use the appropriate identifiers
(a1, a2, b1 et cetera) instead of short names of the parameters. The interpreter does not
differentiate between the capital and ordinary letters. Important, equation has to retrieve a
numerical value but not a logical value.
The following logical and arithmetical operations and functions are supported by the
interpreter:
Operator Description
+,-,*,/ Arithmetical operations
xE+y, xE-y Scientific notation
abs() Absolute value calculation
sin() Sine, argument is in radians
sin_g() Sine, argument is in degrees
cos() Cosine, argument is in radians
cos_g() Cosine, argument is in degrees
atan() Antitangent calculation
asin() Antisine calculation
acos() Anticosine calculation
round() Rounding of number
trunk() Decimal casting-out
sqrt () Square root
exp() Exponent calculation
x^y Value X in power Y
ln() Natural logarithm
PX.Y The value with the order number Y (counting from 0) of the
passport field (line) number X
66
=, <>, >, <, >=, <= Logical operations
& Bit operation AND if both operands are analog parameters
& Logical AND if operands are events or On/Off signals
v Logical OR
! Logical denial
min f, max f Limiting the minimum and/or maximum values of the parameter by
the f value.
an(m), bn(m) The value of the analog parameter number n (n=18) or On/Off
signal number n (n=1...8) at the position with m-seconds offset,
where m is any number of seconds including negative and
fractional.
anshlm, Shifts the value of the analog parameter n (n=1...8) to the left or to
anshrm the right on the specified number of bits (m).
a(x,y) Unsigned integer that is calculated as a value of a word of y-bits
length taken with x-bits offset counting from current frame
beginning and LSB equal to 1.
an(<) Retrieves the exact (without interpolation) value of analog
parameter number n (n=18) which was registered at previous
sampling instant. If the current time corresponds exactly to the
sampling instant then the current value (not the value from previous
sample) will be retrieved.
Note: The passport field value operation (example P10) retrieves the value of the
passport field (line) with the specified order number (10). The program supports defining
several values in one passport field (line). The values have to be separated by at least one
space symbol. Use the PX.Y equation where X is passport field (line) number and Y is the
order number (counting from 0) of the value in this line. For example, if the 10-th field (line)
of the passport contains the string 10 20 30 then using P10.1 you will retrieve the value of
20.
The program uses the following agreements while interpreting passport fields. All
the passport fields are read and saved in memory as strings. First 7 passport fields (lines) are
also interpreted as strings. The program tries to convert beginning of strings (up to the first
space symbol) from all other passport fields (lines) into the values. If it succeeds then those
strings are interpreted as values and all other symbols in a string are ignored and therefore
could be used as comments that will appear in a passport field. Important: comments have to
be separated from the values by at least one space symbol.
You may use scientific notation (using E symbol) to specify constant values. For
example, 5.2E+2 or 5.2E-2. Attention, you must specify the + symbol explicitly for
positive values.
The user may limit the values received as a result of calculations using min and max
functions. The Figure 9.45 shows an example of an algorithm that uses those functions.
67
Figure 9.45
Using the shift operations (shl and shr) assumes the following procedure:
rounding (using rounding rules) the current value of the analog parameter;
shifting the result value on the specified number of bits in given direction.
The joint use of exp() and ln() functions allows raising numbers even to decimal
power. If X is to be raised to Y power the calculation formula will be exp(abs(Y)*ln(X)) and
if Y is odd the result will be negative.
The interpreter supports the multiplication by the logical value. The result of this
operation will be the value of the second multiplier if logical value is true and 0
otherwise. An example of using this function is shown on the Figure 9.46. The reference
speed of An-74 for 25 degrees flaps is calculated in this example.
Figure 9.46
The mentioned functions and operations have the following priority in complex
equations:
1. The an(m), bn(m), shl, shr, a(x,y), a(<) functions.
68
2. Passport data retrieval.
3. Functions ( abs(), sin() etc.).
4. Constants retrieval.
5. Logical denial.
6. Shift operations.
7. Multiplication including onto logical value and dividing.
8. Adding and subtraction.
9. Comparison operations.
10. Logical "AND" and "OR".
To change the default priority of the operations include some of them into the
brackets. The program has no limitations on nested brackets. Any pair of symbols "()", "[]"
or "{}" may be used as brackets.
If the program is not able to interpret the equation after the OK button is pressed
then the warning message will be popped up. The syntax of the equation must be checked in
this case. You are able to perform the express syntax check of the current equation. Just press
F2 button when the equation field is active.
The program supports also "on-the-fly" syntax checking mode. The equation will be
displayed in blue color if the program is able to interpret it and in red color otherwise.
The further work with the calculated parameter has no limitations comparing to the
registered parameters.
It should be noted that if any parameter is selected in the list of the Header editor
window then pressing the F2 key will show the window that lists all the calculated parameters
from the current header whose equations contain the current parameter as an argument. The
window will not be shown if the current parameter is not included in any equation.
9.2.2.5. Relative time

This type of parameter is just the current value of the relative time. Adding a
parameter of this type to the header assumes its further using as an argument in piecewise
linear functions. Displaying flaps position as an analog parameter in case when only an
On/Off signal that indicates flaps going up or down is registered may be an example of using
of this type of parameter.
9.2.2.6. Integral
This is a definite integral of the selected parameter. The short name of the integrand
parameter is specified in the Integrated parameter field (Figure 9.47). The initial value of
the integral could be defined in two ways. If the Initial value field contains a short name of a
parameter (it could be selected from the window that appears after left double clicking on the
field) then the current value of the parameter will be used as initial value for the integral. If
the Initial value field is empty the initial value will be taken from the D field of the
Calibration table page.
69
Figure 9.47
The same parameter of the Integral type could be a part of several sets of equations.
To include a parameter (equation) to the system (to the set) you have to check the appropriate
box in the Task field. You may include a parameter in 8 sets of equations maximum.
See chapter 10.13 for guidance how to use parameters of Integral type.
9.2.2.7. Smoothing, differentiating

This type of parameter allows to display or to print the smoothed values of a parameter
or the values of the first or second derivative (Figure 9.48). Select the appropriate line from
the drop down list to choose between smoothing and derivation. The parameter which short
name is set in the Initial parameter field will be smoothed or differentiated. To specify a
short name of the target parameter you have to double click with the left mouse button on the
Initial parameter field and select a desired parameter from popped up window (Figure 9.26).
Figure 9.48
70
Smoothing or differentiation is done on moving symmetrical base interval with the
help of a polynomial of the given degree. The width of base interval and the degree of a
polynomial are to be specified by the user in the appropriate fields.
Note: The specified value determines half of the base interval length that is if 10 is set
smoothing or differentiation in the target point will be done using 21 points (including the
target point) or 10 samples on both sides (before and after) of the target point.
Recommendation: Base interval length determines how many samples of the
parameter (not seconds or frames) will be used. It means that registration frequency (how
many times per second) must be taken into account if base interval is to be specified in
seconds.
If smoothing is set and polynomial degree is zero then arithmetic average on the given
base interval will be calculated. If the appropriate switch is checked then median will be
calculated instead of arithmetic average. Median is a value with a property that on a selected
interval number of values smaller it is equal to number of values larger than it.
Note: median is usually used to plot slowly changing parameters (amount of fuel) and
helps to avoid random registration failures of different kinds.
9.3. On/Off signals types
Selecting the On/Off signal of any type in the Parameter type field changes the
Parameter page to the view presented on the Figure 9.49.
Figure 9.49
Addresses of the On/Off signal are to be set on the Addresses page (Figure 9.50) in
the same way as for analog parameters. Recommended offset for failure mark is 15 that is the
16-th bit will be used to place a failure mark if necessary (chapter 9.2.1.1 and 9.5).
71
Figure 9.50
On the Calibration table page (Figure 9.51) the exact position of the On/Off signal
may be specified. This value is set in percent of the graph field height and is used only when
On/Off signals are plotted on the analog parameters field (chapter 10.1).
Figure 9.51
9.3.1. On/Off signal (1 bit)
This type of On/Off signal (Figure 9.52) has two subtypes: without inversion
(mostly used) and with inversion. The On/Off signal with inversion means that registration
of the On/Off signal stops if monitored event appears. VHF communication On/Off signal on
the IL-62 aircraft is an example of this subtype. It is very difficult to spot such a command
while viewing plots on the long time interval therefore it is recommended to invert a signal.
Selecting On/Off signal with inversion leads to the normal appearance that is On/Off signal
is registered when corresponding event appears.
72
Figure 9.52
Besides the address the offset of the bit where the On/Off signal is registered has to
be specified on the Addresses page. The offset is set in the Offset, bits from word
beginning column. The offset value should be 1 less than the order number of the On/Off
signal. For an example shown on the Figure 9.50 the offset value is 1 because the "AFCS roll
channel ON" On/Off signal is registered in Bit 2 of information word #9.
9.3.1.1. Masked On/Off signal

This type allows displaying On/Off signals registered using bit masks. The current
version of the program supports masks up to the 4 bits long. Examples for this type of On/Off
signal is registration of TCAS or ECAM modes.
Select the amount of bits (from 2 to 4) for the mask from the On/Off signals type
drop down list on the Parameter page. Specify the address of the On/Off signal as well as the
starting bit for the masked parameter on the Addresses page. For example, to display the
On/Off signal that is defined by value of 9 from 4-bits long masked information word
registered in address 20 starting from bit #3 you have to define the following numbers:
The On/Off signals type field on the Parameter page 1001;
The Inform.word column on the Addresses page 20;
The Offset, bits from the beginning column on the Addresses page 2.
9.3.2. On/Off signal (calculated)
9.3.2.1. UKR
The UKR On/Off signals that are used on different type of MSRP FDRs are
examples of this type. Additionally the order number of the UKR has to be specified in this
case (Figure 9.49).
9.3.2.2. Algorithm interpreter
This type is used to describe On/Off signals which are results of logical and/or
arithmetical calculations. The only difference from the analog calculated parameters of the
same type (chapter 9.2.2.4) is that the result of calculations must be the logical value (true or
false).
9.3.3. Word of On/Off signals
This type of On/Off signal is implemented through Analog not calibrated, Digital
code type and described in the chapter 9.2.2.2.
73
9.3.4. Features of On/Off signals registering in Tester system

Tester-U3 series 2 system registers On/Off signals in a separate information word. If
On/Off signal is present there will be 1 in the highest-order bit (number 8) of the first byte of
the appropriate information word. To display this kind of On/Off signal, select On/Off signal
(1 bit) in the Parameter type filed and specify the value of 7 in the Offset column of the
Addresses page (Figure 9.53).
Figure 9.53
Tester-U3 series L, 3 and M system registers most of the On/Off signals together
with the analog parameter (in the same information word). First eight bits are used to register
analog parameter value and there will be 1 in the ninth bit of the information word if the
On/Off signal is present. To display this kind of On/Off signal, select On/Off signal (1 bit) in
the Parameter type filed and specify the value of 8 in the Offset column of the Addresses
page.
9.4. Sound stream type
This type of parameter is used to add to the current header a sound information that
has been recorded by different types of devices (Figure 9.54).
74
Figure 9.54
The program supports five sound channels maximum. Select the appropriate item
from the popup menu (Figure 9.55) to add a new channel. Right click on the short names list
to pop up the menu. The name of the channels that are already associated with sound files are
printed in gray color (disabled for editing).
Figure 9.55
Each channel has to be saved as a separate file of WAV format. The program is able
to import sound files without compression (PCM format) as well as A-LAW and U-LAW
compressed files. Press the button to associate a sound file with the current channel. The
program will automatically make a copy of the selected file with the pre-defined name which
will consist of the name of the current data file and symbols from _01 till _05 depending
on the number of the channel. The new file will be placed in the same folder with the current
data file (with arm extension).
Note: If the current header has at least one parameter of sound type and a sound file
is associated with this parameter then while moving the data file to another computer do not
forget to move the sound file as well.
The status line displays the information about the format of the selected channel.
The checked state of the Fix box fixes the sound stream at the current position inside
data file and inhibits the stream to be scaled along the time axis.
See chapter 10.14 for details how to work with sound streams in plot viewing mode.
75
9.5. Some features in defining the failure mark position
As it was mentioned above, each information word is recorded in the data file in two
bytes. The actual length of the information word (n) depends on the type of the FDR and may
be from 8 up to 12 bits. The other 16-n bits may be used for service information recording.
For example, it may be failure marks (chapter 10.6). With standardization purposes only it
was recommended in previous chapters to use bits 13 and 16 (offsets from word beginning 12
and 15) to set the failure marks of the analog parameters and On/Off signals respectively. You
have to understand that if 8 different On/Off signals are registered in the same information
word (MSRP-64 FDR) then specifying the same bit to put failure mark(for example number
16) for each On/Off signal will lead to the following feature: Setting/removing the mark for
one of the On/Off signals will automatically set/remove those marks for all other On/Off
signals registered in the current information word. It is correct in most cases because
registration failures usually occur for every On/Off signal in the information word. However,
sometimes, you will need to set different positions for failure marks of each On/Off signal.
The recommendations are given in the table below:
FDR type Information word type Bits used for Recommended values for failure
and length value coding marks
MSRP- 8 one bit On/Off 8 Bits from 9 till 16 (offsets from 8
64/256 signals in a till 15), one bit for each On/Off
information word signal
MSRP- 8 bits, UKR (4 On/Off 8 Bits from 13 till 16 (offsets from
64/256 signals) 12 till 15), one bit for each UKR
BUR 12 bits, first two bits 12 13th bit (offset 12) to set failure
MSRP-A may be On/Off signals mark for analog parameter, 15th
and 10 other bits and 16th bits (offsets 14 and 15) to
coded value of an set failure marks for On/Off
analog parameter signals
One more feature may be encountered while importing the data that were read out
by third-party programs. If the data file that have to be imported consists of 16-bits words
then the developers of the third-party programs may use the empty bits for their service
information. If the bits that are intended to be used in the current header for failure mark
setting are assigned to 1 by the third-party readout program then after importing the data
Winarm32 may not display some parameters because they will be marked as failures. In
this case it is recommended to set failure mark to another position or remove third-party
service information from the initial file before importing the data.
Note: After pressing CTRL+ENTER keys the program will display all the registered
information regardless of installed failure mark.
9.6. Data file creation
As soon as a header file is created the data file could be made. There are two
different ways to create a data file either by reading out from ground playback recorders or by
attaching a data that were read out and saved in a file by another program. To create a data
file you have to select an appropriate header file in the database window (Figure 9.56) and to
check the Data file making switch of the Tasks field. In the Information source list box you
have to specify the name of the playback device or select data stream from the file item.
The program will automatically generate the data file name from the header file
name, undersign symbol and three-digit number. You may define if the first free number or
the next above maximum will be used by the program. Right click on the header file or on the
field with the name of the current folder to pop up the menu. Use the Number of a file being
created item to make your choice. In any case you are able to modify automatically generated
name before you save a file.
76
Figure 9.56
If the data stream will be read from a file (Figure 9.57) then the format of the input
stream has to be defined. The current version is able to import the following types of data
streams:
data streams from a text file (Chapter 10.15);
16-bits length words (data from PC-90 and Liner read out systems);
Bits stream, 12-bits length words that is a result of direct readout of BUR,
MSRP-A and western-made FDRs;
8-bits length words (BUR-SL FDR);
EBN-T file format.
SBI Accord.
SDK-8 data.
RPI data.
Also in this window you may specify a three-letter filename extension. This
extension will be used by the program for searching of existing data files and, if necessary, for
performing additional operations during data import (for example, synchronizing of voice and
data streams).
77
Figure 9.57
Selection of the Bits stream item as a data stream type will display two additional
edit boxes (Figure 9.58) which help you to define the package size and header size in bytes.
These values must be specified if a data file consists of regular packages and each package
has a special header in its beginning. That kind of record is used on some models of TBNK as
well as on several types of foreign made quick access recorders (QAR). In case of the
standard bits stream (only data) both fields should be set to 0 and will be automatically hidden
from the screen. You may display-hide them manually by left clicking on the Type of the
data stream field.
Figure 9.58
Press OK button after selecting the desired parameters.
78
9.6.1. Information copying from a data file
The standard file open dialog of the Windows system will be shown if you
selected data stream from the file item from the Information source list. You have to select
a name of the file that contains the data and press OK. The WinArm32 program will create
a new data file and ask you for the name for this file. By default the program creates a name
of the new data file from the name of the header file and first free number. The user is able to
change this name or agree with it. Before the newly created file will be automatically shown
on the screen the program prompts the user to fill in passport fields. If parameters are not
shown on the screen it means that the program has not recognized data format in the selected
file. Make sure that the selected file does contain flight data and the selected data type (the
Type of the data stream field) corresponds to actual format in the selected file. If you do not
succeed after that you may contact the program developer.
The appropriate message will be shown if the program determines that the format of
the standard file does not correspond to the format of the header file. The check is done by
dividing the file length in bytes onto the frame length of the selected FDR. If residue of
division is not zero the file format is not correct. The user will have the ability to continue or
to abort data file creation. If he selects to continue the program will automatically truncate the
superfluous bytes in the end of file.
There may be cases when you need to import data from third-party software which
have data files in 16-bit (2 bytes) format but code value of a parameter is stored in the first 12
bits. Normally, those data files also have a header of unknown length. The program supports
data import from such files. To do this select Bits stream in the Type of the data stream
field and keep pressing left or right ALT key while clicking on the Open button while
selecting a data file in the standard file open dialog of the Windows system. If the left ALT
key is pressed the program will start synchronizing data from the beginning of a data file, if
the right ALT key is pressed the program will start synchronizing data with a one bite offset.
Because the length of a header (even or odd number of bytes) is normally not known in this
case you have to determine the correct ALT key in experimental way.
9.6.2. Reading out from ground playback devices
Before reading out the information from any playback device you have to connect it
to the data input device (MVD) or to the universal data input device (MVD-U) with an
appropriate cable. The input device should be in its turn connected to the USB slot of the
computer. The appearance of the MVD device and of the connection sequence is shown on
Figure 9.59 and Figure 9.60.
79
Figure 9.59
Figure 9.60
Note: The MVD-U unit differs from MVD unit in its ability to copy the data
registered by Tester FDR directly from board of the aircraft.
The connection scheme of different playback devices is shown on Figure 9.61.
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Figure 9.61
81
Before using the data input device it is recommended to make sure that it is not
damaged mechanically.
Connect the data input device to the playback recorder with the appropriate interface
cable (Figure 9.61).
ATTENTION! All the connections must be made when playback device electricity is
switched off and after connecting the ground cleat of the playback device with the PC
frame.
Connect the data input device with the computer using USB cable.
Switch on the computer if necessary.
The optimum temperature for data input device operation is 5 +50 . Temperature
limits are: -20 +75 .
So that the driver of the data input device should be correctly initialized, you have to
load the WinArm32 program only after all the connections are made. Power the playback
equipment only after the program is loaded. If the driver is initialized correctly the program
will display a serial number of the data input device first time it opens the Flight data read
out window (Figure 9.62). After you finish reading out the data switch off the playback
equipment and after that close the program.
After having been connected the data input device does the self test. If everything is
OK the indicator flickers for three times and remains lit constantly after that. The indicator
flickers when flight data are being received.
If you connected the data input device after the WinArm32 program was loaded
the Windows setup window may appear offering to install a driver of the new equipment.
Refuse to install the driver and reload the WinArm32.
Select the playback device from the Information source list of the WinArm32
Database window (Figure 9.56) and press OK button. The information read out window
appears. Instrument panel appearance depends on functions supported by the selected
playback device. Screen appearance for the UVs-3 playback device is shown on Figure 9.62.
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Figure 9.62
83
Description of the control buttons and corresponding hot keys are presented in the
following table.
Selects parameters to be shown on the screen.
Changes output mode from engineering units to codes and vice

versa.
Ctrl+Left Rewind.
Forward.
Ctrl+Right

Information playback.
Left and Right
Reverse read out feature (heads switching).
Information saving.
Space
Stop.
Enter
The read out window consists of the same main parts as the window in the Plot for
analysis mode (chapter 10). Appearance of the parts of the window is also the same as in the
Plot for analysis mode. The type of the selected playback device, header file name,
parameters output mode (codes or EU) and status of the automatic frame failure marking
function is shown in the indicator field.
All the functions except information saving and playback stopping will be blocked
during information playback therefore all the settings must be done when playback is
stopped.
The user is able to select parameters that will be shown on the screen during
information playback and customize their appearance (color) as well as output mode (codes or
EU).
Recommendation: To find the desired flight or part of the flight it is recommended
to display on the screen the most factual parameters: altitude, airspeed, throttles position,
gears position and so on. It is recommended to output the parameters in code values to
eliminate possible errors because of incorrect calibration tables inputting.
The popup menu (Figure 9.63 and Figure 9.64) is shown after right clicking on the
graph field. Using the items of this menu you are able to change the status of the automatic
frame failure marking and LOG-files recording as well as to select the resolution of the graph
field during playback. Resolution is measured in information frames.
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Figure 9.63
Figure 9.64
If the automatic frame failure marking is activated then the frame failure mark
(chapter 10.6) will be set each time the program finds that the format of the actual frame does
not comply with the frame format of the selected FDR type.
The program will create a new LOG file each time when synchronization is lost and
LOG files recording option is switched on. The files will be saved into the LOG subfolder of
the program's main folder. These files will contain the raw data from the parts of the record
that were recognized as failures. Log files are usually used during accident and incident
investigation if the tape is damaged and it is not possible to readout the information correctly
in the automatic mode. It is strongly recommended to switch off this option during regular
readout process.
The user can check the data input device before information readout with the help of
the special testing module (not included into the standard delivery package). The testing
module should be connected to the data input device instead of the interface cable and the
data input device test item should be selected from the main window menu. The program
will inform the user about workability of the input device or, in case of finding any errors, the
error number will be shown. It is better to write down this number and to inform the
manufacturer. It should be noted that in some cases information about an error does not mean
that readout process is impossible and flight information copying may be continued.
Press the button to start information playback. If playback device supports
remote control and this mode is switched on playback will start and flight information (in case
it exists) will be entered into the computer and shown on the screen. If playback device does
not support remote control or this mode is switched off you have to start playback equipment
manually and after pressing the button the flight information will be entered into the
computer. Service information registered on the tape as well as FDR time will be indicated in
the left part of the status bar during playback. Record quality indicator is located in the right
part of the status bar. The height of the indicator will be momentarily decreased if frame
failure is encountered. In case of parallel record type the frame failure is set if the number of
information words in the frame does not correspond to the normal one for the particular FDR
type. In case of serial record type the frame failure is set if synchronization is lost.
Press the button to stop playback.
To copy (save) part of the information onto the hard disk press the button along
with the button. It should be noted that the program always saves all the data copied from
the moment of last playback beginning in a temporary file. The pressed condition of the
record button when playback is going to be stopped tells the program that it should save all
the copied data onto the hard disk. After playback stops the program invites the user to input a
file name for the copied information. The user may refuse from saving the information by
pressing Cancel button.
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There are some features concerning reverse playback (in time decreasing direction)
while copying the information directly from board for the Tester system. Tester FDR
stores the information about tape moving direction. The tape will continue to move forward
after pressing the button and will return to the stop instant after 3 hours. To read out the
information in reverse direction (in time decreasing direction) press the button. The
Tester system will be reversed that is tape moving direction will be changed and heads will
be switched. To read out the last registered information in this case it is necessary to switch
heads once again but without tape moving direction changing. This operation will be done by
button pressing. The program will automatically press this button after reverse readout
starts.
If the button is pressed and tape is moving in forward direction (time is
increasing) the program will read out the information that had been registered 1 hour and a
half before the recording stopped.
The following diagram illustrates the recommended users action to create flight
information data file depending on disposable data.
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The new FDR information received
The NEW TYPE of aircraft The NEW aircraft The EXISTING aircraft
Create the new header (cyclogram) Create the new header (cyclogram) from existing
Open the WinArm32 database.
IMPORTANT
Click ADD *.hdr button. Open the *.arm file of the aircraft of the same type
Enter the "Common data" page and select and save *.hdr of this file (via the Data sharing), turn To start the readout process:
the "Data format" from the list. Enter the back to the database.
A/C type and the Reg.No. 1. Shutdown the playback device!
2. Connect the interface cable to
the playback device and to the
Make a copy of the existing *.hdr file.
MVD unit and the USB cable of
Add parameters from the Param.list or (right button click and select "Save file as")
the MVD unit to the computer.
input parameters manually and then apply 3. Start or restart (if running) the
the appropriate frame structure information WinArm32 software.
to selected parameters from documents. Start editing the header. Change the Reg.No. and If the PC-90 data file is available, 4. Enter the read out window (data
other information in the "Common data" page. select the "Data stream from the file making).
file" item in the "Information 5. Switch on the playback device.
source" list and specify stream type, 6. Start the readout.
Apply calibration data in the appropriate page. push OK button, find the file and 7. If the information is not going:
read it. a. Restart the play back
button if the information
is not going.
Save changes pushing OK button. b. Check all connections.
c. Check that the MVD LED
is blinking when data
If the PC-90 calibration file is In the WinArm32 database chose the appropriate reading
available, push the right mouse *.hdr file, chose the playback device from the d. Be sure the information
button on the calibration plot field "Information source" list, select the "Data file media contains the data.
and chose "Insert PC-90 making) radio button and push OK button to start 8. Shutdown the playback device
calibration table for MSRP-64 ". with the readout. before cables disconnecting!
Find the file with the calibration
data in PC-90 format and apply it.
Select parameters to be displayed during the
playback and readout. Find the information using
control buttons on the playback device or using the
remote control (if available). Push Save button and Start working with the file with a
then the playback button to save the file after the flight copy.
desired fragment passed.
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Flight information processing
9.6.3. WinArm16 data file import
To import a data file created with the WinArm16 you have to open the WinArm16
database window and select the folder which contains the WinArm16 executable file
(winarm.exe). Select the WinArm16 database item from the dropdown list to display
the window presented on the Figure 9.65. The current folder is indicated in the top middle
part of the window. Use the button to change the folder.
Figure 9.65
Select a file and press button. Specify the file name and a folder to save the file
in. The newly created file will be automatically loaded into the graph viewing window.
Note: The program does not import parameters that were defined in WinArm16
using the dynamic link libraries (dll). These parameters have to be added to the header
manually.
9.6.4. Reading out the information from a text file
This feature may be used to process the data of the registration systems that could
not be read out directly (SARPP, MSRP-12) as well as to process all kind of irregular data
streams, for example GPS data.
The special header file has to be prepared before creating a data file from a text file.
Create a new header file by pressing the Add *.hdr button in the Database window (Figure
7.1). The Header editor window will open. Select the Passport, common data page. Specify
the type of the aircraft and registration number in the appropriate passport fields. Select the
arbitrary value from the Data format drop down list and check the TXT template box
(Figure 9.66). Press OK button to confirm template creating and select file name and
destination folder. The Header editor window will be closed automatically. The header file
which contains only one pre-defined parameter (relative time in seconds) will be created
(Figure 9.67).
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Figure 9.66
Figure 9.67
To create a data file you have to open the Database window (Figure 9.68), select the
header file and check the switch box Data file making of the Tasks field. Select the Data
stream from the file item from the Information source drop down list and the Text file item
from the Type of the data stream list. Press OK and select the text file that contains the data.
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Figure 9.68
A new data file will be created. The data from a text file will be saved in additional
data stream of the data file. See the chapter for the description of the format of the source
text file and for how to work with the additional streams in data viewing window.
9.6.5. Reading out the information of MBR and RPI recorders
This chapter contains description of creating a data file from the information
registered by combined (FDR/CVR) flight recorders of MBR or RPI type. The procedure is
described for MBR recorder. The features (specialties) while working with RPI recorder are
described at the end of this chapter.
The first step is to create a header file that will specify the pre-defined MBR type in
the Data format list (Figure 9.69). Normally a generic header file is provided along with the
program and you may just make a copy of that file to create a new header. You have to
replace calibrations after that (chapter 9.7).
A new header file has to contain at least 5 parameters: registered FDR time and four
parameters of sound stream type (chapter 9.4) associated with first four channels. The short
name of the parameter that contains registered FDR time has to be specified in the Time field
of the Passport, common data field (Figure 9.69).
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Figure 9.69
The second step is to create a data file and to associate sound files with the data file.
Select the appropriate header file in the Database window (Figure 9.70), check the Data file
making switch box and select the Data stream from the file item from the Information
source list. The program will automatically display information about MBR data format in
the Type of the data stream field.
Figure 9.70
After pressing OK button, the Import MBR files window will appear. You have to
select the root folder where the MBR flight data were stored as a source folder (see MBR
manual for details about the folder tree and file names agreement). Attention, the
manufacturers software is used to copy the flight information from the recorder to hard disk
of the computer.
If the source folder was selected correctly the service information of existing flights
will be displayed.
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Figure 9.71
You may disconnect one or more sound streams before the data file is created.
Figure 9.71 shows an example where channel #3 will not be copied. You may perform
connection/disconnection of sound streams by left clicking on the caption of the appropriate
column.
After selecting the desired flight and pressing OK button the program will prompt
you to input a name of the file and select a destination folder. Attention while creating a data
file the program copies the selected sound streams (files) automatically and assigns them the
pre-defined file names (chapter 9.4). The synchronization of flight data with sound streams is
done automatically. After the data file is created initial source files are not needed any more.
See chapter 10.14.1 for instructions on how to work with MBR sound streams in
data viewing mode.
There are two differences while working with RPI information. First, you have to
select the RPI instead of MBR item from Data format list on Passport, common data page
while creating a header file. Second, the file import window is slightly different for RPI
recorder because of the different structure of folders tree where initial data and sound files are
stored (Figure 9.72).
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Figure 9.72
9.7. Calibration tables changing
Sometimes, after a header or data file creation, you need to change calibration tables
of some parameters or when a header for the new aircraft is created to change the calibration
tables of all the parameters.
If a standard calibration table file or file with the calibration tables in the PC-90
format is available you can import those data into the WinArm32 program. To bind
calibration tables the program compares the addresses and parameter types. The correctness of
the addresses and types of the parameters (one calibration branch, two calibration branches
and so on) should be checked by the user. It is strongly recommended to check the results
after calibration table import is completed.
To import calibration tables go to the Calibration table page of the Header editor
window (chapter 9.2.1) and right click on the field of graphical representation of the
calibration tables. Popup menu (Figure 9.73) will appear. Select the type of the file that has to
be imported. Select the name of the file in the standard file open dialog. To complete the
import answer Yes on the question about calibration tables changing.
Figure 9.73
The program also gives you the ability to change the calibration table of the
particular parameter or of all the parameters by pasting them from clipboard and/or a text file
of the special format.
Note: The WinArm32 program uses its own clipboard, so all the data copied to
the clipboard will be lost after program closing.
93
You may want to use this function in order to apply the modified calibration table of
the particular parameter to all the flights (files) of this aircraft in case it was changed in one of
the files. You have to save the calibration table to the clipboard from the file where it was
changed and after that you may paste it into the all other files. The program will compare the
type of the parameter whose calibration table was saved with the type of the parameter that
will receive the calibration table. If they are different an error message will pop up.
If all calibration tables are being pasted they are bound using the unique identifier of
the parameter. If the target header does not contain some parameters the corresponding
calibrations will not be pasted.
Both operations (saving to the clipboard and pasting from it) are available from the
popup menu (Figure 9.74).
Figure 9.74
The second way of calibrations export/import is to use a simple text file of the pre-
defined format. The binding of the calibrations is done using the unique number of the
parameter or its short name. Attention, only one method to bind calibrations of all the
parameters may be used for particular file. Use the appropriate subitem from the Save
calibration into text file menu item (Figure 9.74) to get an exmple of the format of the file.
You have to understand the import details to create this file manually. A calibration
for each parameter is specified in four lines that we will call a record. To separate fields in a
record you may use any parameter which value is less than 33 in IBM PC keyboard (including
Tab and Space). The first line contains a description of the parameter. Either the unique
number or short name of the parameter must be specified in this line. Other fields in the first
line may contain some comments. The second line contains the values of the parameter in
engineering units and the third and fourth lines corresponding raw data (code) values for
forward and backward directions. The program takes an average code value while importing
the calibrations. The fourth line may be absent at all.
To define the multibranch calibrations you have to create a record for every branch
and the unique number (or short name) must be the same for each branch. In the beginning of
the second line of each record (before the first calibration knot in engineering units) the
number of branch has to be defined. It should be separated from the first calibration knot.
Use the Insert calibration from text file item of the popup menu (Figure 9.74) to
import calibrations from a text file. If the program finds several records with the same value
of the key field (unique number or short name) then the last record will be imported.
9.7.1. Features of changing the calibration for MBR recorder type
If the current header is created for MBR data stream then the popup menu of the field
of graphical representation of the calibration tables will appear as shown on the Figure 9.75.
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Figure 9.75
The program displays the file open dialog box after the appropriate item is selected.
The user has to specify the calibration file name for the desired aircraft. The file has the air
extension. The program starts import after the OK button in the file open dialog is pressed.
If program detects that the short name of the current parameter from the calibration
file is absent in the current header it displays the appropriate warning (Figure 9.76). The
further actions depend on users choice.
Figure 9.76
If the user decides to continue import then the program will display the window
(Figure 9.77) that helps to avoid importing the calibrations of one or several parameters.
Uncheck the appropriate box to refuse import. The program finishes import after pressing the
OK button.
Figure 9.77
9.8. Calibration table blank printing
Select the calibration table blank printing popup menu item (Figure 9.79) or just
press the Print button being on the Calibration table page of the Header editor window to
print the calibration table of the current parameter on a standard blank (Figure 9.78). The
amount of columns for digital representation of the calibration table depends on the users
selection on the Calibration table page using the < button. The printing will be done on
95
the currently selected printer or into the file depending on the settings selected in the Print
settings dialog (Figure 10.28).
Figure 9.78
Figure 9.79
96
10. Flight information processing
The program supports the screen and printers installed in the Windows operating
system as output devices. Printing may also be done into the file of *.emf, *.bmp or *.jpg
format. Flight data my also be saved in tabular format in a plain ASCII file or in Microsoft
Excel format.
Plot for analysis mode is used to work with the data on the screen. Plot for
printing mode is used to prepare the information for printing, to adjust scales of the
parameters, to set current values and names of the parameters and to print the graphs. Press
Shift-Space or select the appropriate menu item from the dropdown list of the button to
switch between those modes. The program saves the last used mode and will switch to it by
default during next loading.
To display the data you have to open the database window, select a data file and press
OK button. The information viewing window will appear. The main parts of this window for
the Plot for analysis mode are described on Figure 10.1 and for the Plot for printing
mode on Figure 10.2 . Only elements that are absent in the Plot for analysis mode are
shown on Figure 10.2 .
While opening a data file a set of parameters fom a standard task (chapter 10.1.1)
selected on the Passport, common data page (chapter 9.1.1) of the Header editor window.
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Figure 10.1
98
Figure 10.2
99
The user can change the size of the indicator field by selecting the corresponding items
of the popup menu that appears after right clicking on the indicator field (Figure 10.3).
Figure 10.3
Both modes have the same main menu, indicator panel and control buttons. The user
can change the size of the buttons using the popup menu that will appear after right clicking
on the control buttons panel (Figure 10.4).
Figure 10.4
The following table contains description of the control buttons. The second level list
describes the items of the buttons that have dropdown list.
Opens WinArm32 database window.
o WinArm32 database.
o Data files.
o Header files.
o Flight path files.
Save the current data file with a new name.
o Header saving in a separate file.
o Data saving in a file of the standard format.
Output the plot.
o Plot for analysis.
o Plot for printing.
Selects the parameters to be displayed.
Prints the graph (disabled in the Graph for analysis mode).
Switches to the real size (label setting) mode (disabled in the Graph for
analysis mode).
Switches to the failure setting and removing mode.
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Scrolls the graph to the left.
Scrolls the graph to the right.
Switches to the previous time interval.
Switches to the next time interval.
Increases time interval.
Decreases time interval.
Toggles active cursor.
Sets the maximum time interval.
Adjusts scales of all the parameters automatically.
Moves cursors to the boundaries of the graph field.
Shows/hides measuring instants:

o For analog parameters.
o For On/Off signals.
o Switch off interpolation (leveled graph).
Switches between codes and engineering units.
Arranges windows as cascade.
Arranges windows horizontally.
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Arranges windows vertically.
Before describing all the functions available in graph displaying mode it is necessary
to understand some basic terms.
Active parameter all the actions (moving, scale changing and so on) will be done
with this parameter. In the Plot for analysis mode the active parameter is marked by the
rectangle around its short name on the numerical filed (Figure 10.1). The boundary of the
rectangle is solid if all the measures of the parameter are plotted on the screen. The boundary
is dash otherwise. In the Plot for printing mode the information about the parameter that is
currently active is indicated in the left part of the status bar (Figure 10.2 ).
To make any parameter active in the Plot for analysis mode use one of the
following procedures. Left click close to the desired parameter graph if the system cursor is
located on the graph field. Left click on the short name of the parameter if the system cursor is
located on the numerical field. If the short name of the parameter is selected the graph of this
parameter will flicker two times showing its location.
Note: here and after the terms graph field and analog parameters field have to
be considered as synonyms.
If the system cursor is located on the numerical field press Up and Down keys for
sequential choice of the active parameter from the parameters currently selected for showing
on the screen. Press the same keys but keeping Ctrl key pressed if the system cursor is
located in any other position of the program window.
To make a parameter active in the Plot for printing mode just place the system
cursor (no need to click) close to the desired parameter graph. If the system cursor is located
on the scales field the corresponding scale becomes active.
Moving cursors are two vertical lines (Figure 10.1) that begins from the bottom part
of the indicator field and go through the graph field and On/Off signals field. They may be
used for different purposes: to select the time interval for viewing plots or performing
calculations, to read the current values of the parameters and so on. One of the cursors is
called active, the second passive. The user may define colors for active and passive cursors
(chapter 10.2.1).
You may customize behavior of the cursors using the popup menu of the graph field
(Figure 10.5). The currently active mode is marked. If the first mode is selected the cursor that
is nearer to the position on the indicator field where left mouse button was pressed is moved
to that position and both cursors (system and programs) are moving together. If the second
mode is selected and after the left mouse button is pressed the nearest cursor becomes
captured but stays at the present position and moves proportionally to the movement of the
system cursor.
Figure 10.5
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Use the button to move both cursors to the boundaries of the interval currently
displayed on the screen.
Do not mix up the moving cursors with the moving markers that are used for selecting
the time interval from the whole amount of information recorded in the current data file.
Active cursor is one of the two moving cursors (Figure 10.1) whose position is used
to read the current values of the parameters as well as to perform data copying and pasting
operations. A cursor becomes active after it was selected by the left mouse button. To toggle
the activeness between cursors use Tab or F4 keys as well as the button. Colors of the
active and passive cursors may be changed by the user (chapter 10.2.1). To move the active
cursor to the next frame use Left/Right keys. To move the active cursor to the next measure
(sampling) instant of the active parameter use the same keys but keeping Ctrl key pressed.
Any transition of the active cursor is carried out by its grabbing with the mouse pointer. To
set up cursors behavior use the popup menu that appears after right clicking on the graph
field (Figure 10.5).
Moving markers are two triangles connected with the horizontal line that are located
in the top part of the indicator field (Figure 10.1). They are used to select any desirable time
interval from the whole file. The markers are set on the boundaries of the indicator if all
recorded information is displayed on the screen. Click the left mouse button above the marker
and keep it pressed to move the marker. The moving markers will be moved proportionally if
you move the moving cursors (chapter 10.3).
If Change to the position of the system cursor item is selected then after clicking by
the left mouse button on the indicator field a programs cursor that is closer to the clicking
point will be moved to this position and, if the left mouse button is keeping pressed, will
move along the indicator together with the system cursor. Otherwise programs cursor will be
moved from the current position after being grabbed by the mouse pointer.
The Plot for analysis mode provides the following functions:
Selecting the parameters to be displayed on the screen from the file header,
graphic form or standard task;
Customizing appearance of the graphs of the parameters;
Displaying graphs as a function of the registered or relative time;
Changing the scales of the parameters, moving graphs along the screen and
selecting desired time interval;
Outputting parameters in codes or engineering units;
Determining the values of the parameters in the active cursor position;
Setting zero-time mark to any position when viewing graphs in the relative
time mode;
Information frames inserting and deleting;
Text labels inserting and deleting;
Frame and parameter failure marks setting and removing;
Saving a set of the parameters as a graphic form or standard task;
Service information (identification data) viewing;
Saving the header or the data from the current file in a file of the standard
format;
Printing the values of the parameters in tabular format;
Flight path calculation in horizontal and vertical planes;
Running the express-analysis and viewing its results;
Setting up printer options.
The Plot for printing mode additionally provides the following functions:
Customizing scales and appearance of the parameters before printing;
103
Adding name, short name and the current values of the parameters before
printing;
Print preview;
Printing of the graph.
The principal difference of those two modes is that the Plot for analysis mode uses
the whole screen to represent registered information evidently in order to analyze it quickly
and efficiently. This mode may also be used for presentations with the help of the multimedia
projectors.
The second mode provides the ability to view the information exactly in the same way
as it will be printed (chapter 10.11).
The following chapters contain the detailed description of the above mentioned
functions.
10.1. Parameters selection. Working with graphic forms and standard
tasks.
To select parameters to be displayed on the screen press or select the
Settings/Select Parameters menu item. The Select parameters dialog box will appear
(Figure 10.6).
Figure 10.6
The parameters selection field consists of two main parts. The short names of the
parameters from the current header are displayed in the top part of the field, and the full
names are displayed in the bottom part. You may change the size of the fields by capturing
and moving the boundary with the left mouse button.
To display a graph of the parameter on the screen just select it in the list with the
mouse pointer or check the appropriate box in the bottom part of the field. As cursor is
moving through the list of parameters the information about the parameter which short name
is currently under the cursors position will be displayed in the upper part of the window just
above the parameters selection field.
To exclude the selected parameter click it once again. To exclude all the parameters
use the Clear all button.
Note: You are able to remove the active parameter from the screen directly while
viewing the graphs. Just press the Del key to do it.
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The short names of the currently selected parameters will be displayed on the blue
background. The selected parameters are also listed in the right part of the window. After
selecting all the necessary parameters press OK button, to avoid changes press Cancel.
Not more than 60 parameters can be displayed simultaneously. If there are more
parameters to be viewed, only the first 60 will be displayed on the screen.
The standard Search dialog will be displayed after right clicking on the list of the
parameters. This dialog helps you to find the desired parameter using the part of its short
name. If the program finds a parameter that meets the search input the short name of this
parameter will be blinking. You may continue the search or stop it and close the window. The
cursor will be automatically placed on the latest found parameter after the Search window is
closed.
The switches in the top part of the window determine what kind of analog parameters
and On/Off signals will be present (shown) in the list as well as the output mode for On/Off
signals. Select the appropriate switches in the analog parameters field to show only
"general" analog parameters and/or parameters of algorithm interpreter type and/or
parameters stored in the additional data streams (chapter 10.15).
Select the appropriate switches in the Events field to show only "general" On/Off
signals and/or express-analysis events and/or On/Off signals stored in the additional data
streams (chapter 10.15). Select the appropriate switches in the Output mode field to display
On/Off signals on the analog parameters field or On/Off signals field or on both fields
simultaneously. On/Off signals will not be displayed on the screen if both switches are not
selected.
Using the Select parameters window the user may the change the position (order
number) of the parameter in the header. This operation is enabled only if all the parameters
are displayed in the list (all boxes of the Analog parameters and Events fields are checked).
Just left double click on the desired parameter (cursor's shape will be changed) and move the
parameter to the new position. Left double click once again or right click to fix the moving
and release the cursor. Remember that you are able to move the parameters only inside the
corresponding group (analog parameters or On/Off signals).
10.1.1. Standard tasks
You may display the graphs with the help of the predefined list of the parameters so
called standard task. Select the Settings/Standard tasks menu item or the appropriate item
from the popup menu of the graph field (Figure 10.7) to display the list of the currently
existing tasks (Figure 10.8).
Figure 10.7
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Figure 10.8
The numbers that contain a saved list of the parameters are displayed in red color. The
numbers that do not contain parameters (free numbers) are displayed in grey color. The names
of the existing standard tasks are also contained in the editable list in the bottom part of the
window. The currently active task is marked by the pressed state of the corresponding button.
Its name is also written on the blue background in the list of names. The list of the analog
parameters and On/Off signals from the active task is shown in the right part of the window.
To make a task active just click on the appropriate button or select its name from the list.
Standard tasks are used to display confirmation plots for the express-analysis events.
See chapter 12.4 to learn more about confirmation plots. Press F2 key to display the window
with the list of express-analysis events that are associated with the currently selected standard
task.
To save the set of the parameters that is currently displayed on the screen as a standard
task just left click any free number keeping Ctrl key pressed. The program will assign a
default name to the newly created task. The user is able to change the name. Right click on
the desired line and enter a new name in a window that appears.
To delete a standard task left click on its number keeping Shift key pressed and
confirm deleting. You may click on the button as well as on a line with the name of a standard
task that you want to delete.
Not more than 30 parameters can be stored in the standard tasks list. If more than 30
parameters are displayed only the first 30 will be saved.
To display the plots of the parameters from a standard task you have to select it (on the
button field or in the list) and click OK button or just double click its name in the list.
Attention: Selecting button in the Standard tasks window outputs the parameters
from the active (selected) task on the screen but does not save currently displayed parameters
as a standard task. To save currently displayed parameters as a standard task left click on the
desired button keeping Ctrl key pressed.
Standard tasks are saved in a separate file and may be used with any data file including
files of the different type of aircraft. The standard task contains not only the list of the
parameters that are identified using their unique number (field ID in the Header editor
window) but also the information about their scales and attributes (color etc.) as well as the
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information about the current printer and its settings. To select a printer use the File/Print
settings menu item.
Before using a standard task the program checks the system if the printer for which this
task was saved is installed or not. If the printer is not installed the program will offer the user
to select another printer (Figure 10.9). If the answer is Yes the standard Windows printer
setup dialog will appear It is recommended to select a printer with similar paper size and
orientation. If the answer is No the printer will be selected by the program automatically but
matching of the parameters of the page is not guaranteed in this case.
Figure 10.9
It is recommended to use standard tasks for comparison of the same data (parameters)
registered during different flights. The time interval is not saved in a standard task and each
time should be adjusted by the user. If the header of the current data file does not contain the
parameter with ID number that is saved in a standard task the program will omit this ID and
no errors will occur.
10.1.2. Graphic forms
You can also use predefined graphic forms for displaying parameters on the screen.
Graphic forms like standard tasks are predefined sets of the parameters along with their
attributes for displaying on the screen and printing. Unlike a standard task a graphic form
contains also a time interval, text labels and other settings that belong to a particular file
(flight). Graphic forms are saved inside a data file and may be used only with the data from
this file. Graphic forms may be used to save the results of work in order to use them in the
future for example for printing or transferring to another computer.
Recommendation: Graphic forms may be used to print the graphs on different
languages (English or Russian). After preparing and saving a graphic form you may change
the language in a file header (chapter 9.1.2) and the changes will be automatically applied to
the graphic form when it will be used next time.
To display the Graphic forms dialog box select the Settings/Graphic forms menu
item or the appropriate item from the popup menu of the graph field (Figure 10.10). The
following window (Figure 10.11) will appear:
Figure 10.10
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Figure 10.11
Graphic forms saving, deleting and usage procedures are the same as for the standard
tasks that were described above.
No more than 60 parameters can be saved in graphic form.
Attention: Selecting button in the Graphic forms window outputs the parameters
from the active (selected) form on the screen but does not save currently displayed
parameters as a graphic form. To save currently displayed parameters as a graphic form left
click on the desired button keeping Ctrl key pressed.
The name of the graphic form will be used as a figure name while printing (see details
in the chapter 10.11).
After displaying the list of the parameters from a graphic form it becomes the active
one. The indicator field will contain the information (the number of the form) about the active
graphic form. To save further changes to this form just press Ctrl+S keys and confirm the
operation (see details in the chapter 10.11).
10.2. Customizing parameters appearance
10.2.1. Customizing user interface
The user may customize the appearance (color) of many parts of the window:
Main window background;
Indicator background;
Indicator font;
Active cursor;
Passive cursor;
Second ticks;
Minute ticks;
Hour ticks;
Failure marks.
Right click on the graph field to display popup menu (Figure 10.12) and select the
item which color has to be adjusted.
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Figure 10.12
The standard Color dialog (Figure 10.13) will appear.
Figure 10.13
Press F6 key to invert the background color of the graph field. Press F7 key to invert
the colors of all the parameters that are currently displayed on the screen.
Recommendation: You may use colors inversion when one or some parameters are
not clearly seen against existing background and you need to quickly (without changing their
colors)) look at their graphs or values.
10.2.2. Selecting the color of the active parameter
Press F8 key to select the color of the active parameter (marked by the rectangle on
the numerical field). The color selection dialog box will appear (Figure 10.13).
Note: You may change color of all the parameters currently displayed on the screen.
Keep Ctrl key pressed while selecting F8 key to perform this operation.
You may also select the color of the parameter using the Header editor (Figure 9.1)
dialog box that appears after pressing F2 key. This window allows you to select different
colors to display the graph of the parameter in the Plot for analysis and Plot for
printing modes. However, in case of using the Header editor window, the program will
rebuild the data file after pressing the OK button that will significantly increase the work
time. Additionally, you may accidentally change some other attributes of the parameters, so as
to protect yourself from such kind of troubles it is recommended to use F8 key for color
changing.
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Press F7 key to invert the colors of all the parameters that are currently displayed on
the screen.
10.2.3. Font changing
The Font dialog (Figure 10.14) of the Windows system is used to select font
name and parameters. The dialog box appears after selection of the Settings/Font menu item.
Figure 10.14
Selected font will be used to print all the objects that contain text. The user may
additionally specify fonts for text labels (chapter 10.7).
10.2.4. Parameters output mode (codes-engineering units)
The program is able to display parameters either in engineering units or in code
(registered, raw) values. To switch between those modes use the button or the appropriate
item from the popup menu (Figure 10.15) that appears after right clicking on the graph field.
Figure 10.15
The information about current mode is presented on the indicator field.
10.2.5. Displaying parameters in different engineering units
Parameters that were described with fixed units (physical sense, see chapter 9.1.2)
may be promptly recalculated and displayed in any units of the selected type of physical
entity. Right click on the short name of the desired parameter on the numerical field or select
the Active parameter properties item from the graph field pop up menu to display a
window shown on the Figure 10.16. To display a parameter in different units just select the
desired item in the list of the Units field. The window also contains some service information
about the selected parameter as well as its value in the positions of the moving cursors and
differences between those values. Check the Show box of the Units field to display the units
of the parameters in the numerical field. Parameters with the fixed units are marked by :
symbol in the numerical field. Using this window you may also adjust the number of digits
behind the comma sign (Precision field). It should be noted that the Precision and Color
fields copy the values of the same fields on the Parameter page of the Header editor
window (first item for color field) but may be changed by the user with any level of access.
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Figure 10.16
If a parameter of digital code word of On/Off signals (chapter 9.2.2.2) type is the
active one then the window will display the names of all On/Off signals that are registered in
the position of the active cursor.
10.2.6. Registration instants viewing
Click the button to display or hide the marks (points) that show registration
instants of the parameters. Select the type (analog parameter or On/Off signals) from the
dropdown list of the button to which this function will be applied.
To move the active cursor through the registration instants of the active parameter
use Left/Right keys keeping Ctrl key pressed.
10.2.7. Parameters moving and scale changing

To move the graph of the parameter along the screen you have to click it with the left
mouse button and keeping the button pressed move the graph to the new position. The active
parameter can be moved by pressing Up/Down keys or rotating the scrolling wheel of the
mouse. Each time you press the keys the graph will be moved on 1/15 of the graph field
height being in the Plot for analysis mode or one point of the scale being in the Plot for
printing (chapter 10.11).
Note: You are not able to move the graphs of the parameters if they are displayed in
code values.
To move the graph of the analog parameter as well as to change its scale you may use
the Min. value and Max. value fields on the Calibration table page of the Header editor
window (Figure 10.17). Use the On/Off signal position field to specify the precise position
of the On/Off signal in percent of the graph field height (Figure 10.18).
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Figure 10.17
Figure 10.18
To change the scale of the analog parameter double click its graph with the left mouse
button and, keeping the left button pressed, move the mouse pointer until the desired scale
will be set. The scale will be increased if the mouse pointer is moving up. The scale will be
decreased if the mouse pointer is moving down.
Use PageUp/PageDn keys to change the scale of the active parameter. Each time you
press the button the scale will be changed in 1.2 times.
You may adjust the scale of any parameter using the scale of another parameter as a
template. The scale of the currently active parameter will be used as a template. Press F3 to
activate this function and to display the Scale changing by template window (Figure 10.19).
The caption of the window contains the short name of the parameter that will be used as a
template. From the list below select the parameters which scales have to be adjusted and press
. Keep Ctrl key pressed to select several parameters at the same time.
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Figure 10.19
There is a second way to display several parameters on the same scale. To co-ordinate
the scale of any parameter with the scale of the active parameter you have to left click on the
target parameters short name or its plot keeping the Alt key pressed.
In case the graphs of some parameters (or parts of the graph) are located outside the
window boundaries press the button to change the scale of those parameters
automatically and return the graphs onto the graph field.
10.2.8. Features of the parameters moving and scale changing in
the Plot for printing mode
The features of moving and scale changing in the given mode are connected to a
possibility of separate moving and scaling of the parameters and their scales if the mouse
pointer is located on the scales field. Use the Up and Down keys to move only the scale of
the active parameter (its name is indicated in the status bar). Pressing these keys when Ctrl
key is also pressed results in moving both the graph of the parameter and its scale. Press the
PageUp/PageDn keys to increase or decrease the range of the scale. The upper part of the
scale will be changed if the cursor is located above the middle point of the scale, the lower
part of the scale will be changed otherwise (see detailed information in chapter 10.11).
While in the "Plot for Printing" mode you may remove scales of all the parameters
using the Hide scales item of the popup menu which appears after right clicking on the graph
filed or scales field. Use the Show scales item of the popup menu to display scales.
10.2.9. Returning to the default settings
To return to the default settings of the fonts and user's interface you have to close all
the child windows, select the Settings/Default settings menu item and confirm the operation.
10.3. Selecting the time interval
Use one of the following methods in order to select the time interval for viewing the
graphs:
Move the markers on the indicator field;
Move the cursors trough the graph field;
Select the desired interval with the mouse pointer;
Select the maximum time interval button ;
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Select time scale changing buttons and or using a mouse scroll wheel
while system cursor is located on the indicator filed;
Select time interval moving buttons and ;
Using the Alt + Left/Right keys.
Below are some recommendations on how to use the mentioned methods to select the
time interval.
The moving markers give you an ability to select the time interval from the whole
file (including the part that is not currently displayed on the screen). The markers are set to
the boundaries of the indicator if the whole file is displayed on the screen. Move the markers
to any desired position by grabbing them with the left mouse button. To output the part of
information located between the markers after they were moved to the new position press
Enter key or click the button (button itself but not the dropdown list). To output the
information without changing the time interval, press the Space key. The length of the
interval between the moving cursors is shown in the middle of the indicator filed after the
current frame number.
The moving cursors give you the ability to select the time interval but only from the
part of information that is currently displayed on the screen. The moving markers will be
moved correspondingly when cursors are being moved across the screen. To output the part of
information located between the cursors after they were moved to the new position press
Enter key or click the button (button itself but not the dropdown list). To output the
information without changing the time interval, press the Space key.
Press Left/Right keys to move the active cursor on one frame along the record. Move
the cursor to any desired position by grabbing it with the left mouse button. The popup menu
(Figure 10.5) that appears after right clicking on the graph filed lets you select between two
possible modes of the cursors behavior when you click on the indicator field.
The currently active mode is checked. If the first item is checked the moving cursor
that is located closer to the clicking point will be moved in the systems cursor position after
left clicking on the indicator field. Both cursors will be moved together after that. If the
second item is checked the moving cursor grabbed by the left mouse button remains in
starting position and moves from it proportionally to transition of a system cursor.
The fastest method of choice of time interval is the selection with the help of the
mouse pointer. Transfer the moving cursor to the beginning of the desirable interval. Not
releasing the left mouse button, press the right mouse button or Shift key and move the cursor
to the end of the desirable interval. Current selection will be indicated by color inversion.
After releasing the button the program will output the information on the selected interval
automatically. The same type of selection will be done by left double clicking in the
beginning of the desired interval and moving the cursor to the end of the interval keeping the
left button pressed.
If the described procedure is done with the moving markers the choice of an interval
will happen on the range of all registered information.
Scaling buttons let you change the time interval so that while increasing the
duration is changed on the current width of the interval from both sides and while decreasing
the middle of the interval, width 1/3 from current, is displayed. The same action could be
done using mouse scroll wheel while the system cursor is located above the indicator field.
The scrolling buttons scrolls the time interval approximately on 1/15 of
screen width each time. Just click (press and release) the appropriate button to scroll the
interval to the left or to the right. The interval will be scrolling until the mouse pointer stays
above the button. Remove the pointer from the button to stop scrolling.
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Using the Alt + Left/Right keys you may move (shift) simultaneously the left and
right boundaries of the displayed interval by of its width.
Press the button to display all the registered information. The same action could be
done with the help of the appropriate item of the popup menu that appears after right clicking
on the indicator field (Figure 10.3).
Press the button to move the cursors to the boundaries of the graph field. The
moving markers will be moved proportionally.
The program keeps in memory the information about last 100 intervals. Click the
button to return to the previous interval, click the button to go to the next interval.
If the current data file contains the information about more than one flight the user may
use the special function to search for the flights automatically. The service information
(identification data) registered by the current FDR is used as a criteria for the search. Press
F11 key to activate this function. The program will display the window (Figure 10.20) with
the information about existing flights. The graph of the parameter selected in the Relative
height, m line on the Flight path parameters page of the Header editor window will be
shown in the top part of the window. This field will be empty if no parameter is selected. The
user may change the size of the field by moving its bottom boundary. To move to the desired
flight just check the corresponding box (selected flight will be marked with blue color in the
bottom part of the graph) and press OK button. The program will set the moving cursors on
the boundaries of the flight. The user may select more than one flight at a time. The cursors
will be set to cover all the selected flights.
Figure 10.20
The user may save the current file so that it will contain only the selected flights. This
procedure is activated after pressing the F12 key. The program will save only the part of
information that is located between the moving cursors. All the other information will be
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deleted without the possibility to recover it. It is strongly recommended to make a copy of the
initial file before using this function.
There is one more function that my be used in case all the tape (from one reverse
point till the second one) is copied into the current file and the actual information beginning in
the file does not correspond to the information beginning in terms of registered time. Set the
moving cursor to the position that corresponds to the logical (the earliest frame in terms of
registered time) beginning of the flight information and press Ctrl+F12. The program will
convert a data file so as the current position will be placed in the beginning of a data file. The
user will have to make a choice whether the current file will be changed or a new file will be
created.
10.4. Time axis options
The time axis may be displayed either in registered or in relative time. Left click on the
time axis label (Figure 10.1) in the right bottom corner of the graph field to switch between
those two modes. You may also select the appropriate switch in the Type field of the time
axis properties (Figure 10.21) dialog box that appears after selecting the Settings/X-axis
properties menu item. The same dialog appears after right clicking on the time axis label.
Figure 10.21
Sometimes it is necessary to calculate the time elapsed from the particular moment that
is selected by the user. The dialog box presented on Figure 10.21 gives you the ability to set
the relative time value in the active cursor position. Select also the corresponding check box
to apply the changes after clicking OK button. To view the graphs in the relative time mode
select also the appropriate switch in the Type field.
Recommendation: It is strongly recommended to place a cursor to the position which
will be used to set up the relative time using Left/Right keys at a last step for precise
positioning to guarantee that a cursor will be placed exactly at a frame beginning. You have
to place a cursor in the registered time mode. Depending on the FDR type (is there or not
recording of seconds) you may use the instants where minutes or seconds of the registered
time change to define the position of frame beginning exactly.
You may output the graphs in the relative time mode for example to calculate the time
elapsed from the beginning of take off run until the aircraft left the runway. Set zero value of
the relative time at the moment of take off run beginning and change the scale label for
example to time elapsed from take off beginning. The results could be saved as a graphic
form for future use.
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Additionally you may adjust the appearance of the time marks and specify axis label
that will appear in the relative time mode.
Some FDRs (MSRP-64 and so on) do not register the seconds of the current time. The
program will display only hours and minutes for those FDRs while viewing the graphs in
registered time mode. In this case it is recommended to set (at any instant) the relative time
equal to the registered time and to view plots in the relative time mode.
The program provides the ability of automatic co-ordination of the relative and
registered time in the active cursor position. This function is activated after pressing the F10
key.
This action provides you also with the ability to check if some information frames
were lost during read out or not. If minute changing instants of the relative and registered time
will correspond to each other at any position in the data file all the information was read out
correctly. Otherwise it is necessary to find parts of the file where some frames were lost (or
added) and to correct them by inserting or removing information frames (chapter 10.8).
Note: There are also some special methods to recover the information (in case of
readout failures) registered by different type of FDRs. The description of those methods is
provided in special literature.
The time scale density could be adjusted by clicking on the time label (Figure 10.1) in
the left bottom part of the graph field after mouse pointer will change to the form. Click
with the left mouse button to increase time scale density or right click to decrease time scale
density. The same actions could be done with the help of the popup menu items that appear
after right clicking on the graph field (Figure 10.22).
Figure 10.22
The time values at the positions of the cursors are indicated in the left and right parts of
the indicator field just above the graph field (Figure 10.1).
10.5. Reading the current values of the parameters
The values of all the parameters currently displayed on the screen are listed in the
numerical field. The values are read in the position of the active cursor. A + sign for
On/Off signals means that a signal is present, a o sign means that a signal is absent. The
preciseness of the analog parameters (how many decimals) is set in the Precision field of the
Parameter page of the Header editor window (Figure 9.1).
The time values at the positions of the cursors are indicated in the left and right parts
of the indicator field just above the graph field. The duration of the interval between the
moving cursors is shown in the middle part of the indicator's field.
The status bar will display the name of the parameter and its value in the system
cursor position if the mouse pointer is located close to the graph of the parameter.
By keeping Shift key pressed move the cursor along the screen to view the current
parameter values in the cursor position.
You are able to display a scale of the active parameter by left clicking on the graph
field keeping Shift key pressed. Do not release the mouse button if you want to move the
scale along the screen. Only scale of the active parameter may be displayed on the screen at
the given time in the Plot for analysis mode. This function does not work if parameters are
displayed in code values.
By selecting the Interpolation off item in the drop down list of the button or
pressing the Q key the user may view plots in special mode when the program does not use
interpolation of the parameters between registration instants and plots the registered levels
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(steps) of the parameters. Repeat menu selection or key pressing to return to the normal mode.
The level mode will be switched off automatically after programs reloading.
If latitude and longitude identifiers are defined on the Flight path parameters page
(Figure 11.1) of the Header Editor window pressing the Ctrl key will display (on the
indicator field) the distance between the moving cursors in kilometers.
10.6. Information failures marking
The parts of the record with erroneous information may be marked in order to be
excluded from further processing. Record quality should be analyzed by the user. The
program is also able to set failure marks automatically during read out if the appropriate mode
is switched on (chapter 9.6.2). The information is considered incorrect if the actual frame
structure does not comply with the frame structure of the current FDR type. The frame
failure mark is set for those frames. The parts of the information with the failure marks will
be plotted in the color defined by the user (in white color by default). To define the color right
click on the graph field and use the appropriate item (Color scheme/Failure marks) of the
popup menu (Figure 10.23).
Figure 10.23
The program provides the ability not to display parts of the information, marked as
failure. This function is applied separately to analog parameters and/or On/Off signals. To
select the type of the parameters this function will be applied to use the popup menu items
(Figure 10.24).
Figure 10.24
Note: While creating the table of the parameters the linear interpolation will be used
to determine the values of the parameters for the parts of information marked as failures if
those parts are displayed on the screen. Otherwise, the values will not be calculated at all.
Follow the procedure below to set the Frame failure mark manually:
1. Place the moving cursors on the boundaries of the desirable interval.
2. Press the button to enter into the failure setting/removing mode. The shape
of the cursor will change to .
3. Press Insert key.
4. Press the button once again to exit from the failure setting/removing mode.
To mark extended parts of the information the following procedure may be used:
2. Move the cursor to the beginning of the desirable interval and, not releasing the
left mouse button, press also the right mouse button or Shift key and move the
mouse pointer to the end of the desirable interval.
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To remove the Frame failure mark:
1. Place the moving cursors on the boundaries of the desirable interval.
3. Press Delete key.
It is recommended to get acquainted with Chapter 9.5 once again before reading the
following text.
If only particular analog parameter or On/Off signal has registration failures it is
recommended to exclude it from further processing by setting a Parameter failure mark.
Follow the procedure below to set the Parameter failure mark:
1. Determine the part of the record with incorrect information.
2. Display analog parameter or On/Off signal.
4. Place the cursor above the registration instants that have to be marked as
failures and click with the left mouse button.
5. Repeat item 4 for all desirable registration instants.
All the registration instants of any parameter that are located inside the cursor will
be marked as failures. During cursor moving the status bar will contain the short names as
well as the numbers of frames and registration instants that are inside the cursor and,
therefore, could be marked as failures.
Recommendation: To set/remove failure marks it is highly recommended to display
the graphs of the parameters showing registration instants (button , chapter 10.2.6 ).
Note: The On/Off signal must be displayed on the field of the analog parameters
(chapter 10.1) if you want to set a failure mark on it.
There is the second way to set a Parameter failure mark:
1. Determine the part of the record with the incorrect information.
2. Display analog parameter or On/Off signal.
4. Draw the rectangle with the help of the left mouse button keeping pressed
Shift key. All the registration instants that are inside the rectangle will be
marked as failures.
5. Repeat item 4 for all desirable registration instants.
All the registration instants that are inside the rectangle will be marked as failures.
There is one feature while setting the Parameter failure mark caused by the limited
screen resolution. The program does not output registration instants that coincide with the
instants that are already plotted on the screen. The Parameter failure mark is set only for the
registration instants that are currently displayed on the screen. Therefore, it is possible that
after some failure marks were set and Enter (Space) key was pressed hidden registration
instants will be displayed and require the failure marks to be set on them also. This feature
also exists when you remove Parameter failure marks (see below).
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Attention: Before removing the failure marks you have to make sure that the
program displays the parts of information marked as failures for analog parameters and
On/Off signals and that On/Off signals are displayed on the analog parameters field.
Note: You have to display plots showing registration instants (the button) to
remove the failure marks.
To remove the Parameter failure mark:
1. Press the button to enter into the failure setting/removing mode. The
shape of the cursor will change to .
2. Place the cursor on the part of information marked as failures and click with
the right mouse button.
3. Repeat item 2 for all desirable parts of information.
4. Press the button once again to exit from the failure setting/removing
mode.
Failure marks will be removed from the registration instants that are located inside
the cursor.
Note: To remove the failure marks you must display the information showing the
registration instants (the button, chapter 10.2.6).
The second way to remove Parameters failure mark is as follows:
1. Press the button to enter into the failure setting/removing mode. The
shape of the cursor will change to .
2. Draw the rectangle with the help of the right mouse button keeping pressed
the Shift key. Failure marks will be removed from all the registration instants
that are inside the rectangle. You may also draw the rectangle with the left
mouse and keeping the Shift key pressed but in direction from the right
bottom corner to the upper left corner.
3. Repeat item 2 for all desirable parts of information.
4. Press the button once again to exit from the failure setting/removing
mode.
Note: If you do the procedure that removes Parameter failure mark from the part of
information that has Frame failure mark inserted then only registration instants that are
located inside the cursor or rectangle will be cleared.
It should be noted that setting failure marks does not change the registered
information, and only excludes marked parts from further consideration and analysis. To view
the information without failure marks press Ctrl+Enter keys, to return to the previous view
press Enter key.
10.7. Text labels setting and removing
Press Insert key to set a text label in the active cursor position. Move the cursor a
bit aside and a vertical dot line (called base line) will appear showing text label location. The
shape of the cursor will change to after placing above the base line. You can move the text
label along the X-axis by grabbing it with the left mouse button.
If the label contains text it could be moved up and down after the shape of the cursor
changes to vertical arrow .
Right click after the shape of the cursor will change to form to display Text label
properties dialog box (Figure 10.25).
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Figure 10.25
Using this window you may specify:
Text of the label;
Position regarding to the base line;
Font and its properties;
Style and color of the base line;
Duration and color of the selected area associated with the label (see chapter
10.11);
Binding a label to a parameter of the sound stream type (chapter 10.14);
The exact position of the label in relative time.
To set the exact position of the label specify desirable values of hours, minutes and
seconds and change to the relative time mode.
Check the box in the upper right corner of any field if you want to apply the given
settings to all the labels.
To scroll through the existing labels use buttons.

Press the Delete button to delete the current label. If the All labels box is checked all
the labels will be deleted from the file.
Another way (most recommended) to insert text labels is import from the simple
ASCII (text) file. Select the Data sharing/Text labels/Import menu item to display the file
open dialog box.
Each line in the file should contain the information about one text label. The
simplest line consists of two fields: time in hh:mm:ss format (delimiter : is mandatory)
and, after space, the text of the label. For example:
10:41:09 Cap: Turn right, heading 250.
Note: the text file should be prepared in one of the Windows system text processors
(NotePad is recommended). When the file is made in DOS mode Cyrillic fonts can be
imported inaccurately.
Additionally the line may contain information about position of the label as well as
font and color. This format is received for example after exporting the labels using the Data
sharing/Text labels/Export menu item.
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10:41:43 Cap: Engines idle;0.13207547;0;8388608;8;0;0
Additional information is as follows: vertical position of the label (in units of the
graph field height), orientation regarding the base line, color, font size, bold or not, italic or
not. The fields delimiter is ;. It is not recommended to adjust these parameters manually in
a text file. Use Text label properties dialog box (Figure 10.25) to customize appearance of
the labels.
It is recommended to use labels export function if you need to change the content of
some labels without changing their position and appearance. After all the changes are made
and saved use the import function (see above) to activate the changes in the WinArm32
file.
The program could help you to arrange existing labels vertically. This function will
be applied only to the labels that are displayed horizontally (left or right from the base line).
Select the part of information with the labels that need to be arranged using the moving
cursors and right click to display the popup menu (Figure 10.26).
Figure 10.26
Select arranging direction: to the left or to right from base line.
You have to remember that the text labels may be saved only in graphic forms
(chapter 10.1.2) or by importing to a text file. If the current set of the displayed parameters
along with the text labels is not saved as a graphic form then all the labels will be lost after the
file is closed.
10.8. Information frames adding and removing
You may add or remove information frames using this function. You have to
remember that both operations results in changing of the original file, so it is recommended
before you start the work to make a copy of the original file using the button.
To delete the current frame in the position of the active cursor you have to press D
key and confirm deleting.
To delete all the frames between the moving cursors you have to press Shift+D keys
and, again, confirm deleting.
It is recommended to delete waste frames before transferring the information file to
another computer or before sending it through LAN or E-mail.
Press I+Shift(left) to insert an empty frame (all codes will be 0) before the frame in
the active cursor position. Press I+Shift(right) if you need to insert a frame after the frame in
the active cursor position. It is recommended to insert empty frames in case it was determined
that some frames were lost during the readout process (chapter 10.4) which resulted in
incorrect decoding of the registered time and other service information.
You may also insert information frames that were previously saved from another
data file. Press O+Shift(left) or O+Shift(right) depending on where you want to insert
additional frames (to the left or right from the frame in the active cursor position). The frames
will be inserted from the text file with the hex.txt name located in the programs main folder.
This file may be created by copying the frames from another file (O key) or manually. You
have to be an extremely experienced user to create this file manually. Press key being in
the Graph for analysis mode to get the example of the frame structure of the current FDR
type. Each frame consists of the header line and code values of the parameters in hex notation.
The value of each parameter consists of two bytes and lower byte is coming first.
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10.9. Table of parameters creation
It is recommended to change to the relative time mode (chapter 10.4) before
creating a table of parameters values. If a table is created in the registered time mode then the
time values will correspond to the registered time format of the current FDR. For example, the
time column will contain hours and minutes only (no seconds) for MSRP-64 FDR.
To create a table of the values of the parameters you have to place the moving
cursors on the boundaries of the desirable interval and select the Data sharing/Table of
parameters menu item. The window shown on the Figure 10.27 will appear.
Figure 10.27
There are four different modes of reading the data:
Through equal steps with interpolation. The table of the values of the
parameters linearly interpolated with equal steps will be created. The value of
the step is set in the Step (sec) field.
Through registration instants without interpolation. The table of the values
of the parameters that were read out exactly at the registration instants will be
created.
Through registration instants with interpolation. The table of the values of
the parameters that were read out exactly at the registration instants will be
created. The values of the other parameters in the given time instants will be
received as a result of linear interpolation.
Through labels. The program will create a table of the values of the
parameters readout at the instants where text labels are inserted (chapter 10.7).
The values will be received as a result of linear interpolation. If a label contains
a text string it will be also added to the table of parameters.
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Using the window presented on Figure 10.27 you may also customize time format,
time origin and number of additional decimals that should be added to the value specified in
the file header.
Also you have to define the way that will be used to select parameters. If the Display
switch of the Parameters list field is checked the table will be created using all the
parameters shown currently on the screen. If the Template switch of the Parameters list field
is checked the program will use a predefined list of parameters (a template) which is saved in
the current header. To create (or modify) a template use the Edit button. You may select and
sort parameters in a window that will appear.
After you press the OK button depending on the checked item in the Format field a
text file or Excel file will be created.
If text format is selected the WordPad application will be started and the file tabl.txt
from the WinArm32 main folder will be opened. It contains description and the values of
the parameters. The file header contains the type of the aircraft and registration number as
well as the short name, name, unit and number of decimals for each parameter presented in
the file. This file will be automatically rewritten without confirmation when you compile
the table of parameters next time. So you need to save it with a new name if you want to use it
in the future.
Note: Regardless of the reading mode the text files (separate for each parameter) with
the values of the displayed parameters will be created in the folder of the WinArm32
main folder. The names of the files will be the same as the short names of the parameters. All
the values of the parameters will be read out at their registration instants. It is recommended
to use those files for transferring the data to the third-party programs e.g. Microcal Origin.
These files will be automatically rewritten without confirmation when you compile the table
of parameters next time. So you need to save them in a different folder if you want to use them
in the future.
If Excel format is selected the tabl#.txt file in the TMP subfolder will be created. The
data from this file will be used to create Microsoft Excel file. This file will contain two
pages. The first page will contain the values of the parameters, the second page the
identification data about the flight and parameters. You have to save this file for further use.
10.10. File header saving and changing. Standard data file creation.
At any moment you are able to save the header of the current data file as a separate
header file in order to use it with other data. You are also able to change the header of the
current data file with another one. To use these functions select the appropriate items of the
Data sharing menu. Additionally you have to specify a file name to save a header or to read a
header from.
Note: when importing the header you should additionally answer the dialog
concerning the change of flight passport.
Use the Data sharing/Save data menu item or the appropriate item of the dropdown
menu of the button to export the binary (raw) data to the third-party flight data
processing systems. The binary file will be created as a result. The information located
between moving cursors will be saved. This file will contain only raw data that were
registered on the FDR (without any header). Each information word consists of two bytes.
10.11. Graphs printing and printer setup. Features of the Plot for printing
mode.
Before printing the graphs you have to make sure that the information is correct. Also
you have to remove all the registration failures (chapter 10.6) because they may negatively
affect automatic adjustment of scales of the parameters. Press the Shift-Space keys or select
the appropriate item from the dropdown menu of the button to switch to the Plot for
printing mode (Figure 10.2 ).
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First of all you must select a printer as well as page size and orientation. Selection has
to be made in the Print settings dialog box (Figure 10.28), that appears after selecting the
File/Print settings menu item.
Figure 10.28
Using this window you may also specify some other options. Fill in the Identification
field with any information (the name of your organization etc.) you want to appear in the
upper left corner of the page (Figure 10.2 ). The date and time of printing as well as the
number of the current graphic form and users name will be outputted after that. The contents
of the first six fields of the passport (except Note field) will be printed in the upper right
corner of the page. If some of those fields are empty they will be omitted.
The user is able to customize the margins of the page. If the values outside printers
capability are specified the program shows a relative warning and corrects the values
automatically.
By default the program prints only those grid lines that come through the X-axis ticks
that have numerical labels. To print additional grid lines check the Additional grid box.
The program automatically adjusts grid lines of the scales that are on the same vertical
level. Set the distance between adjacent ticks in the Size field. You are able to set either a
precise value (in millimeters) or automatic adjustment. It is recommended to use automatic
scales adjustment which is done on the basis of the current font size. In this case the program
guarantees that adjacent ticks and their labels will not be overlapped. Sometimes it is
important to specify the exact distance between the ticks for example in order to make 1 meter
of altitude correspond to 1 mm of scale. Select the precise switch in those cases and specify
the value in the Size field. It is up to the user to monitor ticks and labels not to be overlapped.
The program changes the step of the scale while performing the automatic scale
adjustment. Specify the possible last digits of the scale points (ticks) in the Last digits field.
For example if only the digit 5 is selected the scale points (ticks) may be 0.5, 1, 1.5 but not
1.2 or 1.25.
Check the Auto scale width switch to guarantee that the maximum possible area will
be used for printing. The program automatically sets the interval between scales basing on the
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length of the short names of the parameters to be printed. This mode should be used if it
makes no difference where the X-axis ticks are located. To guarantee the same position of the
X-axis ticks on different plots while printing them on the same time interval this option
should be switched off. The horizontal interval between the scales will be fixed counting from
the 8-symbol length of the short names of the parameters. To maintain the same horizontal
size of the plot printing area the user may add any number of the "dummy" scales (columns).
After adjusting all the settings you have to save your work as a graphic form (chapter
10.1.2). The caption of the plot will be the same as a specified name of a graphic form.
After you have saved a graphic form this form becomes the current one and its number
appears in the indicator field. Now after pressing the Ctrl+S keys all the changes will be
saved in this form. The only exception is the figure name. To change the name of the figure
you have to open the Graphic forms window (Figure 10.11), right click on the desired line in
the list and enter a new name in the window that appears.
The next step is to select analog parameters and On/Off signals which graphs have to
be printed. You have to decide will On/Off signals be printed on the graph field or on On/Off
signals field or on both of them.
After displaying all the parameters you may begin to format the plot. You have to
remember that in the Plot for printing mode active is that parameter near to which graph
system cursor is located in the given moment. If cursor is located on the scales field then the
scale of the parameter is active but not the parameter itself. The name of the currently active
parameter is displayed in the status bar. It is recommended to use the keyboard or mouse
wheel for more comfortable formatting of scales and plots (separate or joint moving, scale
changing).
To move separately the graph of the active parameter (the system cursor is on the
graph field) or the scale of the active parameter (the system cursor is on the scales field) you
have to use the Up/Down keys or mouse wheel. To change separately the scale of the active
parameter (the system cursor is on the graph field) or the range of the scale of the active
parameter (the system cursor is on the scales field) you have to use Page Up/Page Dn keys. If
the system cursor is located in the upper part of the scale then pressing Page Up will increase
the range (upper boundary) of the scale and pressing Page Dn will decrease the range (upper
boundary) of the scale. If the system cursor is located in the lower part of the scale then
pressing Page Up will decrease the range (lower boundary) of the scale and pressing Page Dn
will increase the range (lower boundary) of the scale.
To move the graph of the parameter together with the scale you have to use Up/Down
keys or mouse wheel keeping the Ctrl key pressed. The program automatically adjusts the
grid lines of the scales located on the same level.
The user has the ability to pack the On/Off signals vertically if they are displayed on
the On/Off signals field. To pack the On/Off signals you have to move the system cursor to
the On/Off signals short names area (the shape of the cursor will change to ) and left click.
There are three different levels of packing that will change in sequence after each click.
After scales and positions of all the parameters are adjusted and saved in the current
graphic form you may add the names of the parameters and their current values. This
procedure is done in the real size mode. Press the button to enter this mode.
To move through the graph in this mode you have to click with the middle mouse
button or if it is absent with the left mouse button keeping Ctrl key pressed. The shape of the
cursor will change to the form. Just move the mouse to go to the desirable position.
Rotate the scrolling wheel of the mouse to zoom the graph. Left click to exit from the moving
mode.
To insert the current value of the parameter right click close to its graph in the
desirable position. To insert the full name of the parameter right click close to its graph
keeping the Shift key pressed. To insert the short name of the parameter right click close to its
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graph keeping the Ctrl key pressed. Keep both keys pressed to insert the full and short names
together. Regardless of the type the label is inserted in the way when the center of the
circumscribed rectangle is located at the click point.
You are able to insert also special text labels that are bound to a graph of the selected
parameter. The feature of this type of label is that they move along with the associated
parameter along the graph field and may contain a text in several strings. Right click close to
the graph of the desired parameter keeping the Alt key pressed to insert the text label of that
type. The label properties window will automatically appear (Figure 10.29). Right click
keeping the Alt key pressed after system cursor changes to the shape and the label receives
the input focus to display this window for the label that already exists.
Note: just place the system cursor above the label to shift the input focus and change
the shape of the cursor.
Figure 10.29
Special text labels are also used to display legend (On/Off signal values) for
parameters of Analog not calibrated/Digital code/On-Off signals word type (chapter
9.2.2.2). The program will automatically insert the names of all On/Off signals registered at
the current time instant.
Right click close to the center of the rectangle (after cursors shape changes to ) to
remove a label of any type. Use Left/Right and Up/Down keys to move the label of any type
after it receives the input focus (cursors shape changes to ).
You may insert the values of all the parameters displayed on the screen at the same
vertical section specified by the position of the system cursor (not moving cursors!!!). Press
Ins key to perform that action. The values of displayed parameters will be inserted exactly at
the registration instants closest to the cursor position.
The user may remove all the labels simultaneously located between moving cursors.
Just select the desirable interval being in normal mode, shift to the real size mode and press
Del key.
The user may select a different background color for the part of the plot currently
located between the moving cursors. This procedure is usually used to tell that additional
attention should be paid to this region. To implement this function select the Color
scheme/Selected area item of the popup menu and specify the color. The results may be
viewed in real size mode (the button).
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There is one more way to select several parts of the plot with a different background
color. You have to use text labels for that purpose (chapter 10.7). Specify the duration of the
interval that will be colored to the right of the label using the Duration field of the Selection
area (Figure 10.25). The duration has to be set in seconds. The color of the selection depends
on the switch box position and may be the same as font color or correspond to the color
selected in the Color scheme/Selected area item of the graph field popup menu. The results
may be viewed in real size mode (the button).
Select the button or File/Print menu item to print the graph on the current printer.
If the Print to file box of the Print settings dialog box is checked the program prompts you
to enter a name of the file. This file will be automatically opened in the standard Image
Viewer of the Windows system.
Note: The system warning dialog will appear if the Image Viewer is not installed. Just
close it and continue to work.
10.12. Identification data viewing
Identification data registered by the current FDR are shown in the indicator field or in
a separate window (Figure 10.30) that appears after selecting the File/Identification data
menu item or pressing Shift+F2 keys. The amount and contents of the identification data
depend on the FDR type. The service information for the BUR FDR is shown on Figure
10.30.
Figure 10.30
For home made (CIS made) recorders which have the fixed amount of identification
data they will be displayed automatically. For other type of the recorders you have to specify
the short name of the parameters that contain the appropriate data in the corresponding fields
on the Passport, common data page of the Header editor window (Figure 9.2).
The identification data are read on the fly in the active cursor position. If the data
are absent or incorrect you have to close the window, move the moving cursor to another
location and open the window once again.
The incorrectness of the identification data may be caused either by the incorrect
setting of them by the crew or by registration or readout failures (frames adding or missing
and so on). In any case it is recommended to check the received information.
You may automatically copy the identification data (flight date and flight number) that
are shown on the indicator field into the corresponding passport fields. Press Ctrl+F10 keys
and confirm the action.
10.13. Working with parameters of Integral type
If a current header contains at least one parameter of the Integral type (chapter
9.2.2.6) then the Task menu will have the Integration item. Select this item or press Ctrl+I
keys to display the Integration window (Figure 10.31). The appearance of the window
corresponds to parameter defined on Figure 9.47.
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Figure 10.31
On pressing the OK button integration of the task selected from the Task drop down
list will be completed on the interval between moving cursors. The initial value of the integral
will be taken from the position of the left moving cursor if the parameter that determines the
initial value was defined or the constant value specified on the D field of the Calibration
table page will be taken as initial value (chapter 9.2.2.6). Press Cancel button to refuse from
integration. Integration results will be saved as an additional data stream (chapter 10.15)
which number was specified in the corresponding drop down list (Figure 10.31). Those results
may be used for further calculations. Attention, if the number of the additional stream that
already contains the data was specified then all the data will be rewritten without
confirmation.
You may also customize integration step and output information density. Both values
have to be specified in seconds. The output step could not be less than integration step. The
program will correct erroneous inputs automatically.
10.14. Working with parameters of Sound stream type
See Chapter 9.4 once again before reading the current paragraph.
First of all you have to display the parameter of sound stream type in standard
manner using the Select parameters window (Figure 10.6).
You may change position, vertical scale and color of the parameter in standard
manner.
The state of the Fix check box on the Parameter page of the Header editor window
(Figure 9.54) governs the ability to move and scale (change playback time) the parameter
along the time axis.
While creating a new parameter of the sound stream type the offset of the beginning
of the sound comparing to the beginning of the flight data is set to 0 frames (no
displacement). You have to capture sound stream with the left mouse button to move
(displace) it the along the time axis (the Fix box must not be checked). The second way to
move a sound stream is to input the desired amount of frames (not seconds) in the D field of
the Calibration table page of the Header editor window. The program starts to count frames
from the beginning of the flight data.
You may change playback duration of the selected sound stream by scaling it along
the time axis. Left double click on the graph keeping the Alt key pressed or enter the desired
factor (multiplier) in the K field of the Calibration table page of the Header editor window
to scale a sound stream (the Fix box must not be checked).
Important: Entering the factor you will change the scale of parameters graph (plot)
on the screen and the speed of cursor moving during playback. You will not change the actual
length of file and playback speed.
To implement the selected factor to a sound stream (to change the sound file) you have
to press the W key while in graph viewing mode with the desired parameter being active one.
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The program will done necessary conversion and save a new file with the pre-defined name in
the current folder and input this name in the Wav file field of on the Parameter page of the
Header editor window. The initial file will not be changed. The user may change playback
duration once again and conversion will be done using the initial, not modified file and
derivative file will be automatically rewritten! So, conversion is done only once that
guaranteed the quality of sound during playback. It should be noted that satisfactory sound
quality during playback could be received if file length changes in 75% - 115% range.
Note: The pre-defined names for sound files are combined from a name of the
corresponding data file, undersign symbol and 0105 numbers (for initial files) and #1#5
numbers (for files with modified length) where digits 0105 correspond to the channel
number. If a current folder contains a sound file whose name has # symbol then this file will
be loaded by default. Delete this file from a current folder to tell the program to load the
initial sound file (with 0105 numbers).
You may use the described methods to change the sound file length in order
synchronize sound and flight data using, for example, VHF keying On/Off signal. It is a well
known fact that, in general, the speed of the sound recording for tape and wire CVRs onboard
the aircraft is not equal to playback speed on ground equipment. The playback time may
differ from real (astronomical) time significantly. Along with the changing of sound playback
time you may use a method of associated text label to synchronize the flight data and sound
information. The user may add a text label (chapter 10.7), bind it with a particular position in
a sound file and, at the same time, with the current frame of flight data information. If this
type of label is added then all the conversions of the sound file will be done so as to maintain
a position of the associated text label towards a sound file as well as a flight data file.
To add an associated text label you have to make active a parameter of the sound
stream type, move one of the cursors to the desired position, press the Ins key and confirm
label creation. A new text label bound only to a sound stream will be created. This type of
label will maintain its position towards a sound stream under any sound file conversions.
To bind this label to flight data as well you have to display Text label properties
window (Figure 10.32) and check the box on the Bind to the sound field.
You may also convert any existing text label to the associated text label type. Open
the Text label properties window for the desirable label, select the short name of the sound
stream from the drop drown list on the Bind to the sound field with which you want to
associate the label and check the box if you want to bind it to the flight data information as
well. This field is not accessible for editing if there are no parameters of sound stream type in
the current header.
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Figure 10.32
Note: You have to understand that for each parameter of sound stream type only one
text label associated both with sound and flight data information may exist. At the same time
you may have several labels associated with sound file only.
If the Fix box is checked on the Parameter page of the Header editor window then all
conversions of this parameter (moving and scaling) along the time axis are disabled.
Thus, the generic procedure to synchronize sound and flight data information is as
follows:
1. Add a parameter of a sound stream type to the current header and associated a
sound file with it. Make sure that the Fix box is not checked.
2. Match any of the crew radio communications with the corresponding On/Off
signal. Just move a sound stream to the desirable position with the left mouse
button or enter the necessary value into the D field of the Calibration table
page of the Header editor window.
3. Add the text label associated (bound) with both sound and flight data
information at the same location.
4. Calculate a transition factor and enter it in the K field of the Calibration table
page of the Header editor window or just scale (stretch/compress) the sound
stream parameter with the left mouse button double click keeping the Alt key
pressed until the second key point moves to the appropriate position.
5. Check the Fix box to prevent a parameter from inadvertent changing!!!
6. Press the W key if necessary to create a new sound file of appropriate length.
Note: To calculate a transition factor (step 4) you have to choose two instants of
external radio communications separated from each other as far as possible. The resulted
duration of sound in seconds has to be compared with the actual time length taken from flight
data information based on the corresponding VHF keying On/Off signals. Dividing the
duration received from flight data on the duration of corresponding sound part we will
receive a transition factor.
Now, after synchronization is made you may start to listen to the sound information.
Make active a parameter of sound stream type, move one of the cursors to desired position
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and press the Space key or the button. If the current position has no sound information
then program will move the active cursor to the beginning of sound information.
Note: You may listen to the information only from one sound stream at a time. If
several parameters of sound stream type are displayed on the screen the user may use the
Up/Down keys to scroll through them without stopping the playback. After selection is
changed the playback will continue from the initial position (marked by the left moving
cursor) selected at previous step.
Press the Esc key or unpress the button to stop playback.
To change to a new position without stopping the playback just click with the left
mouse button at the desired position on the indicator field.
To loop a fragment for numerous listenings from a selected point:
Activate the desired parameter of the sound stream type;
Shift both moving cursors to the beginning of the desired fragment by left
double clicking on the indicator panel in the needed position;
Press the Space key or to start playback;
press the Tab key to return to the beginning of the fragment
If there are text labels associated with the current sound stream then pressing the
Space key while playback is going on will force the playback to continue automatically from
the new position that corresponds to the location of the first associated label while the initial
position will be changed to the location where the Space key was pressed. Pressing the Tab
key will resume the playback from a new initial position. If no text labels are associated with
the current sound stream then pressing the Space key while playback is going on will move
the initial position to the current position and playback will continue.
If you put any text labels (transcription) while listening you may save them in a text
file using text labels export function (chapter 10.7).
10.14.1. Features of working with MBR sound streams
The features of working with the sound data received as a result of importing of MBR
registered information (chapter 9.6.5) are described in this chapter.
MBR sound files have internal information of the beginning and end of the current
sound file with reference to the flight data file. While creating the data file of WinArm
format, the program synchronizes sound information automatically by shifting the beginning
of the sound stream to the specified position and factoring it by the coefficient received from
comparison of length of sound and flight data files. The received values are written to the D
and K fields of the Calibration table page of the Header editor window.
The synchronization starts from file beginning and is correct until some portion of
either parametric or sound data is lost. In case of that synchronization failure the user may do
it once again starting from the active cursor position. Move one of the moving cursors to the
desired position, select the parameter of sound stream type that needs to be synchronized,
right click its short name on the numerical filed and click Synchronization button in
window that appears (Figure 10.33).
Figure 10.33
10.15. Additional data streams
You may add to the current data file (called destination-file) up to 10 additional data
streams from the other files (called source-files). Each additional stream may contain up to 30
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parameters. Another data file or (arm file) as well as a text file of the pre-defined format may
be used as source-files.
Analog parameters saved in an additional data stream have Analog not
calibrated/Real number type, are presented in engineering units as a function of relative
time. That allows saving them in a destination-file and their further use without references to
a source-file. The values of the parameters are read out based on their sampling instants in a
source-file.
The program will automatically assign unique numbers in a destination-file to all the
parameters from an additional stream. The full names of the parameters will not be changed
and the short names will be combined from initial short names by adding ~ symbol and the
order number of the additional stream.
10.15.1. Inserting from another data file
Use the following procedure to add to a current data file an additional stream with the
data from another data file:
Open a source-file and display parameters that will be added to another data
file. Select the desirable interval using the moving cursors.
Use the Save the stream to the clipboard item of the Data sharing menu to
copy selected parameters to the clipboard.
Open a destination-file.
Use the Additional data streams item of the Data sharing menu to display
Additional data streams window (Figure 10.34).
Figure 10.34
To add an additional data stream you have to select any empty stream number (#3 on
the Figure above), open the list of the button and select clipboard as a data source. The
program performs necessary conversions and displays information about added stream
(Figure 10.35).
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Figure 10.35
The information from five first passport fields of the source-file is provided for each
stream after its order number.
10.15.2. Inserting from a text file
The format of a text file that could be used to add an additional data stream is the same
as for the table of the parameters values (chapter 10.9). Below is an example of the header of
the file and several data lines:
[Gulfstream IV-SP][10201]
Indicated airspeed [IAS][km/h][0]
Pressure altitude [Alt.pr][m][0]
VHF keying [VHFkey]
Time UTC IAS Alt.pr VHFkey

19:49:52 475.9 4802.7 0
19:49:53 476.0 4788.9 1
19:49:54 476.0 4775.6 1
19:49:55 476.0 4764.0 1
19:49:56 475.2 4752.5 0
19:49:57 475.1 4740.9 0
19:49:58 475.1 4729.4 0
19:49:59 475.1 4718.0 0
19:50:00 474.3 4706.7 0
19:50:01 473.4 4695.4 0
19:50:02 471.6 4684.3 0
First line contains an aircraft type, registration number and comments (if any). This
line is for information purposes only and will be ignored while importing the information but
it must be included in a file. The description of each parameter takes one line. The full name
is specified first. The short name, units and precision are followed. Each value must be
supplied in square brackets. For On/Off signals two last fields are absent.
Important: On/Off signals description must be strictly after description of all analog
parameters. You may not mix description of different types!
After all the analog parameters and On/Off signals are described the empty line
must be added that is followed by the line of the captions of the columns. This line will also
be ignored while importing the information but must be present in a file. The data are placed
in other lines. The fields in the caption line and data lines have to be separated by horizontal
Tab symbol. The first column contains relative time instants in any of three different formats
described in Chapter 10.9. The step between knots may be arbitrary and even irregular but
time values must be sorted in ascending order. Other columns contain the values of
corresponding analog parameters and On/Off signals. The order of the column must
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correspond to the order of parameters description in the header of a file. Some of the values
of the parameters may be absent in the table but separators (Tab symbols) must exist in any
case.
To add a stream from a text file just open the Additional data stream window
(Figure 10.36) and use the Insert the data stream from text file item of the button list.
Select the name and location of the source file. The program performs necessary conversions
and displays information about added stream (Figure 10.36). The name of the source file is
displayed after order number of a stream.
Figure 10.36
10.15.3. Working with additional data streams
The Parameters list of the Additional data streams window (Figure 10.36) contains
the short names of the parameters stored in the selected additional stream. The status bar
located in the bottom part of the window shows the time of stream beginning, duration of the
stream and size in bytes. Time values are relative with reference to the relative time scale in
the destination-file. You may change the time of stream beginning by printing the new value
in the Start time box. Click the Apply button to activate a new value.
Note: You may specify a new position of the beginning of the data stream directly in
graph viewing window by moving the stream with the left mouse button to a new position.
The purpose of the buttons in the Additional data streams window is as follows:
Adds a new data stream
Insert a new .data stream from clipboard
Insert a new .data stream from a text file
Displays the data from the selected additional stream
Outputs graphs of all the parameters on the screen.
Outputs graphs of all the parameters into a text file.
Deletes the selected data stream
Fixes the selected data stream
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Moves the beginning of the selected data stream to the position of the
active cursor
Moves the end of the selected data stream to the position of the active
cursor
Press the Exit button to return to the graph viewing mode.

The work with parameters from additional data streams does not differ from work with
normal parameters. Just select the desired parameters in the Select parameters window
(Figure 10.37) to display their graph on the screen. If you are not able to see the parameters
from the additional stream in the list just check the Additional data stream boxes of the
Analog parameters and Events fields. The ~ box shows or hides the ~ symbol in the
short names of the parameters from additional data streams. This will take effect in graph
viewing window only (not in the Select parameters window).
Figure 10.37
Note: There is one feature in working with the parameters from additional data
streams. You are able to see the current values of the parameters in the active cursor position
only if the cursor is not moving and released (in static mode). You are also not able to scroll
through the active parameter samples using Crtl+Left/Right keys.
Note: You are not able to remove one or several parameters from an additional data
stream. Only the whole data stream may be deleted.
You may use one of the following four methods to synchronize data from an
additional stream with the data in a destination-file:
Just input the time of the beginning of an additional data stream in the
Additional data streams window (Figure 10.35) and click Apply button.
Click the button in the Additional data streams window (Figure 10.35)
and move the beginning of the selected additional stream to the active cursor
position.
Click the button in the Additional data streams window (Figure 10.35)
and move the end of the selected additional stream to the active cursor
position.
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Visually move the data stream by capturing it with the left mouse button.
It is recommended to fix an additional stream after it is set to the desirable position to
avoid inadvertent displacements. Press the button in the Additional data streams
window (Figure 10.35) to fix the selected stream. Attention, each stream has to be fixed
separately after it is selected with the left mouse button.
Press the button in the Additional data streams window (Figure 10.35) to delete
the selected additional stream.
10.16. Statistical analysis
You may obtain statistical data for all the parameters currently displayed on the screen
by pressing Shift+S keys or selecting Tasks/Statistics. The program will calculate statistical
data on the interval between the moving cursors. The results will be shown in the table
(Figure 10.38). The table has the following columns left to right:
parameters short name;
mean value on the selected interval;
standard deviation on the selected interval;
minimum value on the selected interval;
maximum value on the selected interval;
number of samples on the selected interval.
Figure 10.38
10.17. Work with DAFIF Navigation Database
10.17.1. General
The DAFIF database (Digital Aeronautical Flight Information File) was developed
by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, (NGA), USA. The name DAFIF is a
registred NGA trademark and can be used only as a reference for data sourse.
This database is open for general use. The current version can be downloaded from a
website at https://164.214.2.62/dafif/. The database license allows its free use and distribution
including software development on its basis. The only condition is referring to the data
source. You may read the complete license agreement at the mentioned website. 1.
The DAFIF database is a set of linked text files that contain information on various
navigation objects (airports, air tracks etc.) located all over the world and providing the
international navigation system. WinArm32 uses not the whole database, but only the
ARP, WPT and ATS folders that contain information about the airports, waypoints and air
tracks respectively. These folders are located in the NAVI/ALL subfolder and are supplied
with the system. If such a folder exists, the item NAVI database appears in the Tasks menu
whose elements allow working with the navigation database.
10.17.2. Working with DAFIF database
This software introduces the notion of global and local database that are displayed as
tables after selecting the respective elements in the Tasks/NAVI database menu item. The
global database (Figure 10.39) is the whole DAFIF database and is located in NAVI/ALL
1
Since 2006 free distribution of the database has been cancelled and updating is now impossible .
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directory. The local database is a selection of extracts from the global database within the
given range around the selected waypoint. The selected area is determined in degrees with
reference to north, south, east and west and is also assigned by the user.
Figure 10.39
The software uses the navigation information for three basis purposes: automatic
scheme files creation to be added to the flight path window (chapters 10.17.3 and 11.11),
automatic determination of the distance, azimuth etc. to the selected runway in the graph
viewing window (chapter 10.17.4) and automatic assignment of glideslope parameters when
building up the flight path in the vertical plane (chapters 10.17.5 and 11.12).
10.17.3. Automatic scheme files creation
For automatic scheme file creation the user must select a reference waypoint and
assign the range of the surrounding area (local database limits) within which the software will
make its selection. The selection of the reference waypoint is done by assigning the two-letter
region (country) code in the Region field (Figure 10.39) and then selecting the desired object
(airport, waypoint or flight track) in the Objects field. On Figure 10.39 the Domodedovo
airport is selected as the basic point. The area range is assigned to be 1 degree in all
directions. After left double clicking on the line containing the basic point name the software
will make a search in the assigned limits and display the local database window (Figure
10.40). The search may take quite a long time so the user must be patient.
Figure 10.40
The local database only allows selecting various objects for viewing. Making
changes (selection of a different reference point, etc.) is only possible in the global database
window.
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Simultaneously the file and catalog structure tree is created in the NAVI/Select
folder that contains descriptions of the found local database objects. The area.txt file serves
as a key file and must be assigned as a scheme file (chapter 11.11) in the Flight path
parameters window.
10.17.4. Defining Distance to Selected Runway
This function is available in the graph viewing window only if the latitude and
longitude values are registered on board and the identifiers of these parameters are determined
on the Flight path parameters page (Figure 11.1) of the Header editor and if the rwy.dat
file is present in the NAVI/ALL catalog. In this case the Search nearest RWY item appears
in the Tasks menu of the graph viewing window.
Note: the rwy.dat file is supplied with the system. If the user has updated the DAFIF
database they can create the new version of this file on their own by selecting the relative
item of the popup menu that appears after right clicking on the Region or Objects fileds in the
NAVI database (Full) window (Figure 10.39 ! .).
Selecting the Tasks/Search nearest RWY menu item or pressing Shift+R you can
display the RWY window (Figure 10.41).
Figure 10.41
This window presents information on the six runways closest to the current aircraft
position determined by the moving cursor. Apart from the runway names the table contains
information on the runway length and width in meters, threshold elevation in meters as well
as the distance (in km), relative bearing (in degrees) and side deviation (in km) of the aircraft
position from the threshold of each runway.
This window is a modal one, so it does not block the system operation when
displayed on the screen. By shifting the moving cursor the user can watch the changing
parameters in the table.
The philosophy of using this window is that the user fixes the runway where the
landing was finally conducted (or planned) or from which the takeoff was done. To determine
the actual runway of takeoff/landing the moving cursor must be moved to the start of the
takeoff run or aircraft landing and the values in the table must be assessed. The selected
runway is fixed by pressing Enter when the input focus is in the relative line (after selecting
this line by the left click). The RWY window will change its view (Figure 10.42) and will
display in its upper line the parameters of fixed runway regardless of the moving cursor
position. The other six lines will continue displaying the parameters of the closest runways.
Figure 10.42
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Now by shifting the moving cursor you may easily determine the distance from
ruway threshold of the point where descent was initiated or landing gear extended.
10.17.5. Creating Runway Databases
This section describes the process of creating the global and local runway databases
for their future use for flight path calculation tasks (Chapter 11.12).
To work with the runway database you must first create the global runway database
from the global navigation database. The global runway database is created once after the
installation (update) of the DAFIF database. To create it you must use the Creation of global
DB RWY item in the popup menu (Figure 10.43) that appears after right clicking the upper
part of the Navi database (Full) window (Figure 10.39).
Figure 10.43
This process is quite time-consuming so you must be patient. After the process is
completed the rwy.dat file will appear in the \NAVI\All folder which will further be used
by the software to create local runway databases.
The next step is to create the local runway database. It usually includes all airports
where a certain ailine is operating. To create this database you must create a Windows text
file named arpt.txt in any text processor like Notepad and to save it in the\NAVI\Select
folder. Each line of this file is assigned to one airport. See the example below:
RS30325 SHEREMETYEVO
RS00014 EMELYANOVO
CH00028 PUDONG
CH21133 CAPITAL
GM01853 FRANKFURT MAIN
The airport identifiers and names must be input manually by the user and correlate
with the names in the DAFIF database. Searching airport names is done by viewing the lines
in the global database window after selecting the desired region in the Region field and the
ARPT object in the first popup list of the Objects field (Figure 10.39).
After saving the arpt.txt file use the Creation of local DB RWY item in the popup
window (Figure 10.43) that appears after right clicking the upper part of the Navi database
(Full) window (Figure 10.39). After this operation is completed an rwy.txt file will appear in
the \NAVI\Select folder that will contain descriptions of all runways and relative
navigation aids in the selected airports.
Further use of the local runway database use is described in Section 11.12.
10.18. Working with METAR data
After the installation and startup of the swa32 server (section 8.2) the user is enabled
to download METAR (METeorological Aerodrome Report) data that contain information on
the actual weather at a certain time. The data are downloaded from the server automatically or
manually. To use this function you must use the Tasks/METAR database menu item. This
function gets available if the NAVI/All/ARP folder contains the Icao.txt file with the airport
identifiers list. This file is supplied with the installation package 2 and may be further
2
If this file is absent in the installation package (for earlier software editions) please contact developers.
140
corrected by the user. The software only uses the four-letter ICAO codes and airport names
from this file.
After selecting the abovementioned menu item the METAR database window
appears (Figure 10.44).
Figure 10.44
If the swa32 server is not running or installed or if the IP address is inaccurate there
will be the following message in the right part of the window: No connection with WinArm32
server. Check the server installation and settings (Chapter 8.2).
The left part of the window contains all airport codes in the Icao.txt file. To sort
them by countries you may input the furst letters of the codes in the upper part of the window.
To obtain the current METAR data select the desired airport, right click it to display the
popup window and select the desired item. If the METAR database contains data on the
selected airport the WordPad will be run with decoded weather information. The data are
saved in the metar.txt file in the root folder (C:\Program Files\WinArm32), and are
updated automatically with the next use. If the data on the selected airport are not present on
the server the software will display a relative warning.
The software provides the user with an opportunity to keep data archives on selected
airports. Add the codes of desired airports to the right part of the window. For each selected
airport the software will create a separate text file in the METAR folder inside the folder with
the swa32 server (see example from section 8.2 with C:\Server32\METAR folder) named by
the four-letter airport code. If the computer is connected to the Internet these data (if exist)
will by updated automatically every 15 minutes. The data are saved in the file in a non-
decoded form.
If the user selects more than 300 airports the software will warn against the
significant traffic of the downloaded data. In this case the data will be updated once within the
first ten minutes of every hour. It should be noted that all data available on the server will be
downloaded but only data for selected airports will be saved.
The data are stored in the files until the 15th of each month and then are
automatically zipped to ARCHIVE folder (inside the METAR folder). To view the archive
for the selected airport you must select a relative item in the popup window (Figure 10.45),
that appears after right clicking the airport code in the right part of the window.
Figure 10.45
You can view the data for selected date or download all the current data saved in the
relative folder (not archive folder). The information will be displayed in the WordPad
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window in a raw form and saved in the metar.txt file in the root folder (C:\Program
Files\WinArm32). To obtain decoded information from the file you may use on of the free
softwares like MetarWeather (http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/mweather.html) by downloading
the file into this software. If the executable MetarWeather file is installed to the WinArm32
root folder than at the bottom of the METAR database window (Figure 10.44) there will
appear an extra line with a popup list. Copy the desired raw data line from the WordPad to
this line and open the list. The decoded data will appear on the screen.
The popup menu in the right part of the window also allows to delete the selected
airport from the list. After the airport is deleted the linked file will be automatically deleted
from the disk without any warning,
When working with the METAR data the user may need to set the proxy server
parameters if it is used in particular network. These parameters are saved in the metar.ini file.
The software stores two separate sets of proxy server settings in two files with the mentioned
name: one file in the swa32 server folder (C:\Server32\METAR) and the other one in the
WinArm root folder (C:\Program Files\WinArm32). Such separation is needed due to the
possibility of different proxy server settings on the computer where the swa32 server is
installed and on the user computer. The proxy server settings of the user computer are defined
in the window (Figure 10.46) that appears after pressing the FTP button in the METAR
database window (Figure 10.44).
Figure 10.46
The proxy server settings on the swa32 server computer are done in the window
(Figure 10.47) that appears after pressing the Settings button in the METAR database
window (Figure 10.44).
Figure 10.47
Apart from the proxy settings this window allows the user to select between
downloading all the data available on the METAR server or only data relevant to the airports
selected in the right part of te window. When you select All data from METAR server, the
142
list of selected airports will be ignored. Attention, when you download all data the daily
internet traffic may be very high.
10.19. Data Encryption
The software allows to encrypt data files to secure them from unauthorized access
(email sending or foreign computer). To encrypt the files special information linked to the
protection key (Chapter 4.2) is used. After the encryption is completed the data viewing will
only be available for those users that login with the key number specified in the list of
authorized keys when the encryption was done. Encryption can be done by users with all
levels of access. Attention, use of encrypted files insignificantly slows the software operation
down as the flight information is being decoded while it is being viewed.
To encrypt a file select the File/Encryption menu item. The encryption window will
appear (Figure 10.48).
Figure 10.48
The left part of the window contains a list of all keys known to the software. The
right part of the window contains the authorized keys. When the window is opened the right
part contains only one key the current one that was used to login (the key number is also
displayed in the caption of the main program window). If the key in the right part of the
window is checked it may be used to cancel the encryption of the file after it was opened. If
the key is not checked it may only be used to view the encrypted file.
When someone tries to open an encrypted file without using an authorized key the
software will warn about the error (Figure 10.49).
Figure 10.49
To cancel encryption use the same menu item (File/Encryption) and confirm the
request.
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10.20. Links to Other Applications
The software provides a UDP interface to transfer flight data to the third-party
applications. Analog parameters values and On/Off signals are transferred if they have the
Export UDP switch checked on the Parameter page (Figure 9.1 !
.) of the Header editor window. The data are transferred from the
moving cursor position if the Data sharing/UDP data exchange menu item is ticked. The
server settings for transfer protocols are defined in the Network connection settings window
(Figure 7.8). In the client application you will need to select the IP address of the computer
that contains the WinArm32 software that will be used as a server as well as port numbers
that will be used for information export and import. These port numbers must correspond to
the numbers selected in the Network connection settings window (Figure 7.8 !
.) of the server part. A detailed description of the transferred
data packages are beyond the framework of this Manual and may be provided to the interested
users upon request.
10.21. Flight path plotting in the Google Earth
The program provides with the opportunity for fast plotting of the flight path in the
Google Earth which may be used free of charge. You may use this link
http://www.google.com/earth/index.html to install the kml filename extension is associated
with the Google Earth.
Use the Tasks/Flight path calculation/Google Earth menu item to plot the flight
path. This menu item is enabled if values of latitude, longitude and altitude are registered and
short names for them are defined in the corresponding fields on the Flight path parameters
page of the Header Editor window (Figure 11.1) These parameters may be not only
registered ones but could be calculated and exported into the flight data file as an additional
stream (chapter 11.6).
The flight path will be plotted on the interval between the moving cursors. If text
labels (chapter 10.7) exist on this interval they will be added automatically. A new window
(Figure 10.50) will appear.
Figure 10.50
You may customize flight path appearance using this window.
144
The Data matching field helps to select one of the modes to display flight path (the
Mode dropdown list) as well as to enter corrections to the registered values of coordinates and
altitude.
The program supports three modes: 3D mode with absolute altitude (absolute), 3D
mode with true (relative) altitude (relativeToGround) and projection to the Earth surface
(clampToGround). The program will interpret altitude values depending on the selection.
You may want to specify different short names for altitude values (absolute altitude, relative
altitude with barocorrection or height/radio altitude) depending on the type of flight path you
need.
The Latitude, Longitude and Altitude fields serve to define corrections. The FDR
parts of these fields contain values of the corresponding parameters in the position of the
active cursor. If you need to correct those values (for example to make sure that flight path
does not go below the Earth surface or to place the flight path exactly on the RWY) you have
to enter the corresponding values read from Google Earth in the Earth parts and click the
appropriate button to calculate corrections. For corrections calculation you have to make sure
that position in the Google Earth used for reading values corresponds to the active cursor
position in the data file. You may also simply enter corrections in corresponding fields. After
corrections have been entered you may save those values for latitude and longitude (but not
for altitude) in the current header by clicking the OK or Apply buttons. Corrections will
appear in the D field on the Calibration table page (chapter 9.2.1.1). They will be applied
automatically when the flight path will be plotted next time regardless from the time interval
and active cursor position. Attention, corrections will also be used for all others operations
(plotting parameters, creating a table of parameter values etc.
On the Time labels field you may select the interval for plotting time labels as well
as their size and color. Also you may select a file of the png format to define label shape.
You may save all the data from this window by clicking the OK or Apply buttons.
The data will be saved in the kml.ini file located in the WinArm32 main folder.
The flight path will be saved in the track.kml file located in the WinArm32 main
folder after clicking on the OK button. If the kml filename extension is associated with the
Google Earth the flight path will be automatically plotted on the screen (Figure 10.51).
Figure 10.51
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10.22. Flight path review (using Google Maps)
Starting from the version 1.9.9 the program supports the work with Google Maps in
real time scale format.
To plot the flight path in Google Maps (Google) the values of latitude and
longitude shall be present in the current flight data file and their short names must be defined
in the corresponding fields on the Flight path parameters page of the Header Editor
window (Figure 11.1). These parameters may be not only registered ones but could be
calculated and exported into the flight data file as an additional stream (chapter 11.6). In that
case the right part of the window will contain the red vertical line (Figure 10.52). Capture and
move this line with the left mouse button to resize the window with the flight path and
cartographic information.
Figure 10.52
The right part of the window will contain the flight path on the interval between the
moving cursors in the left part of the window (Figure 10.53). The movement of the moving
cursor in the left part of the window will be followed up by moving of aircraft symbol along
the flight path.
Figure 10.53
There is an instrument panel in the upper part of the right window. You may
customize flight appearance using this window.
146
The first button View provides with the opportunity to select
between the different cartographical information that will be
displayed: ROADMAP, SATELLITE, TERRAIN or HYBRID.
The second button Playback provides with the opportunity to

start/stop flight playback. The movement of the aircraft symbol along the flight path will be
synchronized with the cursor movement in the left part of the window and with audio
information playback (CVR record etc.) if it is present in the current flight data file (chapters
9.4 and 10.14). Also this button helps to define playback modes (moving map and playback
speed).
These buttons provides with the opportunity to zoom the flight path screen in and out.
You may also do this by the mouse wheel. Capture the map with left mouse button to
move the map. It should be noted that for each map scale (resolution) there is its own set of
maps. If the scale is changed the program will download a new set of maps (if it is not present
in a cache on a local drive) from the Internet. The time for downloading will depend on the
connection speed.
The Scale item provides with the opportunity to adjust the screen automatically
in order to display the flight path on the whole interval between the moving cursors. Use this
button also when you have changed the desired interval and want the program to redraw the
flight path for the new interval. The Center menu item provides with the opportunity to place
the aircraft symbol (the point of the flight path which corresponds to the active moving cursor
position) in the middle of the screen.
This button provides with the opportunity to manage the local cache of the
cartographical information, The Load item is selected automatically each time the program
starts. If this is a case the program will download not only the current set of map (for the
current scale) but also several other sets to accelerate the work. All maps will be saved in the
maps subfolder. It also helps to display the flight path on the map in the future even if there is
no Internet connection. On the other hand these data will consume the space so good
practice is to clean the cache if you do not need data any more. To clean the cache you may
check the Delete menu item. This will remove all the files with cartographical information for
the area currently displayed on the screen. The other way is just to clean the maps folder by
means of the operating system.
The ATS routes button provides with the opportunity to display air routes
information from the DAFIF database. To display the data the ats.dat file with the route data
shall be placed in the maps subfolder. The information about air routes is provided for
reference only(!) and is not official. The user must take care to update the data. See chapters
10.17 and 11.11 to learn more on how to work with DAFIF data.
Moving a mouse pointer along the map you may read out coordinate values in the
bottom left corner of the program's window (Figure 10.53). Keep the Shift key (for nautical
miles) or Ctrl key (for kilometers) pressed and move the cursor along the screen with the left
mouse button pressed to measure a distance between two points.
To display an airplane symbol instead of the default mark you may copy any aip file
into the config.aip and save it in the AIP subfolder. The alternate way is to copy the file
147
which name is the same as an aircraft type specified in the Add.files field on the Passport,
common data page of the Header Editor window into the WORK subfolder (for example
tu154.aip or b737.aip).
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Flight path calculation
11. Flight path calculation
11.1. General provisions
Use the Flight path parameter page (Figure 11.1) of the Header editor window
(chapter 9) to set up parameters for flight path calculation.
Figure 11.1
The Analog parameters list located in the left part of the window contains 16 pre-
defined parameters that depending on the FDR type are used for flight path calculations. The
other lines are used for transferring data to flight path window or third party program like
Microsoft Flight Simulator (Chapter 11.13).
Only last three events: weight on wheel, outer and middle marker passing are used
for glide slope calculations. Other lines are used to transfer data to Microsoft Flight
Simulator (Chapter 11.13).
The program provides three different algorithms for flight path calculation:
Using true airspeed and magnetic heading;
Using groundspeed, magnetic heading and drift angle;
Using groundspeed projections (Vx, Vz).
Depending on the type of the FDR the user has to select one of those algorithms by
checking the appropriate box. Modern aircraft (for example Il-96) let you calculate the flight
path using several algorithms. The recommendation is to select algorithm that use trajectory
parameters i.e. for IL-96 use the second algorithm but not the first. This recommendation is
based on the provision that trajectory parameters already include the wind influence that
enhances calculation precision significantly.
Note: If current latitude and longitude values are registered they may also be used
as second, independent way to display the flight path. Use the Flight path customization
window (Figure 11.8) to toggle between two modes.
In any case, the user has to make sure that parameters used in calculations are
registered correctly and all the registration failures are eliminated on the interval the flight
path will be calculated at.
Eliminating registration failures you have to remember that the first algorithm also
uses the values of the roll, pitch and angle of attack to enhance calculation results. Besides,
true airspeed calculation algorithm uses the values of the pressure altitude and IAS. Pressure
altitude values are also used if wind speed and direction are specified as functions of the
altitude.
149
After selecting one of the algorithms the user has to define the short names of the
parameters from the current header that will take part in the calculations. The parameters have
to be selected from the list (Figure 11.2) that appears after left double clicking on the
corresponding cell of the Selected column (Figure 11.1).
Figure 11.2
Note: The list is compiled from the parameters that are already added to the current
header. Thus, using of the first algorithm assumes that calculated parameters such as true
airspeed (chapter 9.2.2.3) and true angle of attack (chapter 9.2.1.5) are included in the
header in advance.
If short names of some parameters (for example pitch or true angle of attack) are not
defined then the values of those parameters will be 0 by default.
Attention, there is one feature connected to measurement units of selected
parameters. If a parameter which short name is selected has fixed units (chapter 9.1.2) then
the corresponding right part of the table will not contain the measurement units because the
program is able to convert them automatically. If a parameter which unit was not fixed is
selected then the right part of the table will contain the information in which units the current
parameter has to be derived in order to perform calculations correctly. In this case the user is
responsible for providing the values of the parameter derived in correct units.
After defining all the parameters press OK button and select the time interval for
flight path calculation. Flight path may be calculated only in the relative time mode (chapter
10.4). Otherwise, after selection the Tasks/Flight path calculation menu item, the warning
will be displayed and program will invite to change time mode (Figure 11.3).
Figure 11.3
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Recommendation: Before flight path calculations it is highly recommended to set up
the relative time values equal to the registered time values (chapter 10.4).
The flight path will be calculated on the interval located between the moving
cursors. The left and right time boundaries will be read out automatically.
11.2. Simple calculation performing
After registration failures of the parameters that take part in the calculations are
eliminated (chapter 10.6) select the Tasks/Flight path calculation menu item to start the
calculation.
The Flight path parameters window will be shown on the screen (Figure 11.4).
Figure 11.4
First of all the values of the magnetic deviation and output step have to be specified.
These value are saved into the flight path project (*.tra file) and may be changed only when
the new project is being created or the second calculation with saving the results into the
existing project is done (chapter 11.7). Magnetic variation should be entered as a signed
value. East deviation is positive and west negative.
Note: The value of the Output step, sec field defines the time interval in seconds
through which the flight path is plotted, printed or transferred to the third-party programs
(MS Flight Simulator etc.). Integration step is selected automatically and does not depend on
the value of this field.
By default, the calculations will be done for calm conditions if the first type of
algorithm is selected. If the wind conditions are known they have to be specified at this stage
of calculation in the Wind, forecast list. These values are also saved into the flight path
project (*.tra file) and may be changed only when the new project is being created or the
second calculation with saving the results into the existing project is done (chapter 11.7).
To add the line into the list press the Ins key when the list is active. To delete the current line
press Del key.
Important: if the short name of the On/Off signal (registered or calculated) that
describes weight on wheel conditions is specified on the Flight parameters page of the
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Header editor window (Figure 11.1) then the program will not take into account wind
influence while aircraft is on ground. This option let you use the first method of flight path
calculation (using airspeed and magnetic heading) even when aircraft moves along the
runway.
To understand the meaning of the parts of the window presented on the Figure 11.4
you have to get acquainted with the main principles that are used in flight path calculation
algorithms.
The flight path is calculated from the fixed point. The fixed point is the point that
comes first in the Terminal conditions list Figure 11.4. The coordinates and time when this
point was passed have to be specified by the user. The coordinates are set in a rectangular
Cartesian system of a rather arbitrary selected beginning of coordinates. The flight path will
always go through the fixed point regardless of the presence of the additional target points
(chapter 11.4). The beginning or end of the calculation interval as well as any other point may
be appointed to be a fixed one. If the beginning or end of the interval are selected the time
will be determined automatically. Check the appropriate switch of the Fixed point field
(Figure 11.4) to assign the fixed point.
Note: If the coordinates of the fixed point are not specified they will be taken as 0 by
default. It means that the fixed point will coincide with co-ordinates origin point.
Recommendation: The moments when marker beacons, VOR or NDB beacons are
passed as well as take off roll beginning or touch down event may be selected to be a fixed
point.
Note: The fixed point may be changed by the user during the further work while
customizing the flight path appearance.
The user may select the altitude reduction to zero mode by checking the desired
switch of the corresponding field. Altitude reduction will be done by simple subtraction so as
the resulting value at the beginning or at the end of the interval will be zero. The result will be
put into the dH field of the Flight path customization window (Figure 11.8).
If the current header contains at least one parameter of sound stream type then the
Sound (wav) field will contain a list with the short names of all the parameters of that type in
the current header. Select one of them if you want sound information to be added to the flight
path. The program will automatically create a new sound file with the pre-defined name (it
could be changed later on) that contains the sound information for the selected time interval.
If no sound information exists for the selected interval the file will be created all the same but
will contain silence.
Select no item from the list if you do not want to add sound information.
Press the OK button to start the calculations. The program will prompt you to
specify the project file name. All the changes that are made in the future will be saved in this
file automatically.
Note: If a parameter of sound stream type was selected but the changes to it were not
implemented (W key was not pressed after correction factor entering, see chapter 10.14) then
the program will display the appropriate warning (Figure 11.5).
Figure 11.5
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11.3. Flight path customizing
11.3.1. Description of the flight path window
The results will be displayed on the screen as soon as calculation is finished (Figure
11.6). It should be noted that all information necessary for flight path displaying is saved
directly in a flight path file. The initial data flight is not needed any more.
The flight path window is a child window of the programs main window (the same
as graph viewing windows are). It means that all the standard window alignments and
positioning are enabled for this window.
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Figure 11.6
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The table below contains the description of the buttons that are available in the flight
path window. They are shown the flight path window receives the input focus (becomes
active window).
Table 11-1
Flight demonstration
Press for video recording

Time labels adding (removing)
Flight path printing
Table of parameters printing
Switching on (off) the flight path editing mode
Customizing the flight path
Flight path parameters
Automatic coordination of the flight path
Scale increasing
Scale decreasing
Rotating the flight path to the left
Rotating the flight path to the right
Cascade
Tile horizontally
Tile vertically
The flight path as well as grid lines and several service points will be shown on the
screen. Two red points are used if necessary to bind the flight path to the map or approach
chart. We will call them master points. The blue point is the graphical representation of the
origin of coordinates. The points that are listed in the Terminal condition field (Figure 11.4)
are shown in green color. Capture and drag the origin of coordinates point with the left mouse
button to move the flight path to the desired position. You may also move the flight path by
capturing any other point of it along with keeping the Ctrl key pressed.
The flight path is calculated in true coordinates (not magnetic). Positive directions
are to the north and to the east. The initial scale of the grid lines is selected automatically. To
display the numerical values of the scale just left click on the graph field keeping the Shift
key pressed. Repeat this to hide the numerical values. To enhance visualization of the graph it
is recommended to click near the origin of coordinates (the blue point). Check the Do not
show switch on the Grid lines field of the Flight path customization window (Figure 11.8)
to remove the grid lines from the graph.
Left click on the graph field keeping the Shift and Ctrl keys pressed to show the
true/magnetic direction indicator. Repeat this procedure to hide the indicator. The color of the
indicator may be selected from the list of Grid lines field (Figure 11.8).
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The center part of the status bar indicates the values of wind speed and direction that
were used for calculations.
The left part of the status bar indicates the geographical and rectangular coordinates
of the point that is currently located under the cursor.
The current position indicator and three-component color ruler are located just under
the control buttons panel. The color ruler let you change the colors and length of different
parts of the flight path (chapter 11.3.9.2).
11.3.2. Current position
At every moment one point of the flight path is the current point. The current point
is marked by the aircraft silhouette if it is defined by the user (chapter 11.3.6) or by the red
circle with the dark blue boundary otherwise. The current time is indicated in the left part of
the current position indicator. The marker on the indicator is moved rateably to the current
position.
The current position may be changed using:
Left/Right keys;
By capturing and dragging the marker on the indicator with the left mouse
button;
By pressing the button.
Pressing the button or Space key starts the flight demonstration (chapter 11.6).
Press this button once again or use ESC key to stop the demonstration.
The following functions are bound to the current position idea:
Displaying the current time on the indicator field.
Displaying the values of the parameters (chapter 11.6).
Displaying the values of wind speed and direction.
11.3.3. Binding the flight path to the map
The flight path may be bound to the geographical map or Jeppesen3 approach
chart. The map should be saved in a file of *.bmp or *.jpg format. This file should be
prepared in advance with any bitmap editor (Corel PhotoPaint or Adobe PhotoShop). It is
highly recommended to minimize the size of the file using the 8-bit paletted color depth. The
most recommended size of the file is 5-10 Mb. You have to understand that all other objects
(flight path, text labels and so on) will be printed with the same resolution as background
picture.
Note: The map must have equal vertical and horizontal scales.
The window shown on the Figure 11.6 has three pages that may be used for different
appearance of the flight path. Each page may have its own background map and flight path
customization parameters (see below). Use the Flight path parameters window (Figure
11.4) to add a map to the desired page. This window is shown after clicking the button.
Left click on the Map #1, Map #2 or Map #3 labels after the shape of the cursor is changed
for to display file open dialog. Select the name of the file that contains background map
and press OK button.
Two red points are used to bind the flight path to the background image. Those
points may be moved to any position with the left mouse button. When the system cursor is
located above any of the master points the information about it will be shown in the right part
of the status bar. You have to move both master points to the positions with the known
coordinates (VOR or NDB beacons, grid lines intersections and so on) and specify these
coordinates in the appropriate fields of the Flight path parameters window (Figure 11.4).
The coordinates input format depends on the position of the switch in the right part of the
window. Clicking the appropriate buttons the user specifies the hemispheres. After the
3
Here and after the word map will be used to identify the background of any type.
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binding is completed the values of the origin of coordinates (blue point) will be shown in the
Origin of coordinates field. These values are for information purposes only and may not be
changed.
Figure 11.7 shows an example of binding the map using grid lines intersections.
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Figure 11.7
158
The master points are placed on the intersections of the grid lines with the known
latitude and longitude values. The program provides the ability to zoom the image up to the
particular pixel in order to set the master points more precisely. To zoom the image in just
select the desired part by the left mouse button drawing the rectangle in the direction from the
left upper corner to the right bottom corner. Repeat this procedure to make additional zoom.
To zoom the image out to the original size just draw the rectangle in the direction from the
right bottom corner to the left upper corner.
It is recommended to check the correctness of distances and angles calculation after
the binding is completed. The numerical scales on the Jeppesen charts or the known distance
between any points on the map may be used to perform checking. Just set the step of the grid
in the Flight path customization window (Figure 11.8) equal to the step on the map and
compare the result visually. The Flight path customization window appears after clicking
the button. To check the correctness of angles (direction) calculation use the direction
indicator (see before) or compare the direction of the map grid lines with lines drawn by the
program.
Figure 11.8
At any moment the user may click the button to coordinate the flight path
appearance automatically. The flight path will be displayed on the whole interval and axes
will be pointed to the north and to the east.
Attention: By pressing this button the existing binding to the map will be removed
automatically.
11.3.4. Selecting flight path displaying mode
If the short names for longitude and latitude are defined on the Flight path
parameters page of the Header editor window (Figure 11.1) then they may also be used to
display the flight path. To toggle between registered and calculated flight path just check the
corresponding switch box on the Flight path field. Attention, the current version of the
program supports displaying only one flight path (registered or calculated) at a time. You are
not able to display both of them simultaneously.
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11.3.5. Flight path moving, rotating and scale changing
Flight path scaling and rotating are done with the help of the appropriate buttons
(Table 11-1). These buttons are enabled only if no binding to the map is done. Otherwise the
scale and position of the flight path are defined by the master points positions and
corresponding buttons are disabled.
Note: Do not mix the flight path scale term with the image scale term (zoom). Zoom
procedure is described in the chapter 11.3.3.
To move the flight path just capture it at the origin of coordinates point with the left
mouse button and drag to the new position. If Ctrl key is pressed you are able to capture the
flight path at any point not only at the origin of coordinates. To locate the flight path above
the map more precisely the following procedure is recommended:
Determine the time when the point with the known coordinates was passed;
Move the pointer of the current position indicator to the selected position;
Add to the plot the reference point with the known coordinates;
Match the reference point with the current point.
Use the Reference point coordinates window (Figure 11.9) that appears after
selecting the reference point (RP) menu item from the popup menu (Figure 11.10) to set the
coordinates of the reference point. The popup menu will appear after right clicking on the
graph field. You may enter co-ordinates manually or use the navigation points database from
scheme files (chapter 11.11).
Figure 11.9
Figure 11.10
The reference point is displayed in cyan color.
Use the Match the current item of the popup menu (Figure 11.11) to match the
current point with the reference point.
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Figure 11.11
If the flight path is displayed in registered coordinates mode (chapter 11.3.4) you are
able to undo coordinates matching choosing the Undo coordinates matching item from the
popup menu.
11.3.6. Aircraft silhouette selection
The user may select the aircraft silhouette that will be used as current position
indicator during flight demonstration as well as for text and time labels marking. The
silhouette is selected in the Flight parameters window (Figure 11.4). Click on the A/C type
label to display file open dialog box and specify the desired file name. The files with aircrafts'
models are located in the AIP subfolder of the main WinArm32 folder.
Check the A/C type switches of the time labels and/or text labels fields in the
Flight path customization window (Figure 11.8) to use the aircraft silhouette for text and/or
time labels marking.
The popup menu (Figure 11.12) that appears after right clicking on the graph filed
lets you increase or decrease the size of the aircraft model.
Figure 11.12
11.3.7. Adding time labels
To add or remove the time labels use the appropriate items of the popup menu
(Figure 11.13) that appears after right clicking on the graph field.
Figure 11.13
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You have to select the step of the time labels adding. To make any label active just
locate the system cursor close to its position. The label will be selected automatically. The
marker on the current position indicator will be moved respectively. The button will be
switched on showing that the label is active and in the right part of the status bar the
information about this label and possible actions will be displayed. To move the active label
the Left, Right, Up and Down keys are used. The Page Up and Page Dn keys are used for
label rotation. To change the current position on the flight path (moving along the track) if
one of the labels is active use the Shift+Left/Right keys.
To add the time label to a rather arbitrary position you have to move the marker on
the position indicator and press the button.
Note: Setting the time labels on one of the pages automatically leads to adding them
on two other pages.
The possible customization of the time labels is described in the 11.3.9.5 chapter.
To remove the label just make it active and click the button. To remove all the
time labels select the Time labels/Remove item from the popup menu (Figure 11.13).
11.3.8. Adding text labels
There are different ways to add the text labels to the flight path plot. First of all, all
the labels that are already set inside the calculation interval will be added to the flight path
automatically. Use the Text labels page of the Flight path parameters window (Figure
11.14) to view the existing text labels.
Figure 11.14
This page lets you add a new label manually (Ins key) or delete the selected label
(Del key). The time should be set in hh:mm:ss format. The ":" delimiter is mandatory. The
program allows printing the text labels on no more than 5 lines. The new line symbol is *.
It may be set in any position of the label string.
You are able to import text labels from a separate file. The file format is described in
the chapter 10.7. The additional digit in the end of the string defines the label position on the
flight path. It is strongly not recommended to change this value manually. All the adjustments
of the label properties have to be done using flight path window. Select the appropriate item
from the popup menu to import the labels from a file (Figure 11.15). The popup menu appears
after right clicking on the list of labels.
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Figure 11.15
The popup menu also helps you to export labels in the text file, to delete all the
labels and to customize font properties for each label separately (Figure 11.16). If the switch
located in the upper right corner of the window is checked then the current settings will be
applied to all the text labels.
Figure 11.16
To make any label active just locate the system cursor close to its position. The label
will be selected automatically. The marker on the current position indicator will be moved
respectively. The button will be switched on showing that the label is active and in the
right part of the status bar the information about this label and possible actions will be
displayed. To move the active label the Left, Right, Up and Down keys are used. The Page
Up and Page Dn keys are used for label rotation. To change the current position on the flight
path (moving along the track) if one of the labels is active use the Shift+Left/Right keys.
Note: Unlike the time labels (chapter 11.3.9.5) the text labels may be different for
each page.
The possible customization of the text labels is described in the chapter 11.3.9.6.
To remove the label just make it active and click the button or delete the
corresponding line on the Text labels page (Figure 11.14). Select the appropriate item from
popup menu (Figure 11.15) to delete all labels.
11.3.9. Customizing flight path appearance
The program let you customize a big amount of parts of the flight path presentation
window. The properties are set in the Flight path customization (Figure 11.8) window that
appears after pressing the button.
After all the elements are adjusted it is recommended to unpress the button in
order to disable the Flight path customization window calling as well as the other flight path
adjustments.
11.3.9.1. Grid lines and direction indicator

customization
Using the Grid lines field you are able to set the scale and measuring units of the
grid lines as well as the color of grid. Additionally the choice between rectangular and polar
coordinate systems may be done.
The Line width box contains the width of the grid lines in pixels.
The Grid ticks box defines the step of the grid lines in selected units (the Unit
switch box).
Toggling the Coordinate system switch box you are able to switch between linear
and polar coordinate systems.
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The Do not show box if checked hides the grids and direction indicator.
The Color field let you to specify color of grids (upper list) and color of the
direction indicator (bottom list).
11.3.9.2. Colors of the flight path parts

You are able to select up to the three logical parts on the flight path and customize
their colors. The length of the part is set by dragging its boundary on the color selection ruler.
The color of the particular part is selected from the standard Color dialog that appears after
right clicking on this part of the color ruler.
11.3.9.3. Flight path customization

On the Flight path field the user may set the width of the flight path line and its
projection onto horizontal plane (for axonometric projection) as well as the width of the
vertical section lines.
Two color lists below define the colors of the vertical section lines when the aircraft
is positioned to the observer with the left and right side correspondingly.
The user may also specify the following properties:
Kh The current value of the altitude will be multiplied to this coefficient. This
coefficient is used for improving visualization conditions. To view at the
flight path from the top (normal view) you have to set 0 value of this
coefficient.
dH This value will be added to the current value of the altitude. This
coefficient is used for improving visualization conditions. If reduction to
zero mode is on then this field will be filled in automatically and may not
be edited.
dT The step of outputting the flight path points (in seconds).
dFi The horizontal plane inclination angle. It is zero for "top view". The
possible values are from 0 up to 90 degrees.
The Transparency box of the Brush field controls the transparency between the
vertical section lines in axonometric projection. The brush color (if not transparent) is selected
from the top color list of the Brush field.
The bottom color list defines the color that will be used for relief drawing (chapter
11.8). The relief will be displayed if the Relief switch in the Flight path customization
window (Figure 11.8) is checked and the short name of the radio altitude is specified on the
Flight path parameters page (Figure 11.1).
11.3.9.4. Setting the plot caption

The plot caption is set on the Caption field.
11.3.9.5. Time labels customization

Time labels properties are set on the Time labels field.
The label is displayed as a circle. The user may specify the colors of the boundary
and background (brush) of this circle in the corresponding lists.
The third list defines the color of the reference line if the Reference line color is the
same as text color box is checked.
The label size is set in the Size field.
The A/C type box let you change the label appearance from the circle to the aircraft
model (chapter 11.3.6).
The Font field let you set the font properties of the time labels.
The Transparency box defines if the labels background will be transparent or not.
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11.3.9.6. Text labels customization
Text labels properties are set on the Text labels field.
The label is displayed as a circle. The user may specify the colors of the boundary
and background (brush) of this circle in the corresponding lists.
The third list defines the color of the reference line.
The label size is set in the Size field.
The A/C type box let you change the label appearance from the circle to the aircraft
model (chapter 11.3.6).
The Do not show box if checked hides the text labels but they are not removed from
the project.
The Transparency box defines if the labels background will be transparent or not.
Font settings are defined separately for each label on the Text labels page of the
Flight path parameters window (chapter 11.3.8).
11.4. Calculation with the additional target points
If the aircraft passed some points (marker beacons etc.) with known coordinates and
at the known time moments then this information may be used to correct the calculated flight
path. The correction will be done by selecting the constant values (not depended on altitude
and other parameters) of wind speed and direction that minimize the residual between
calculated and specified target points using the least-squares procedure. The estimated values
of wind speed and direction will be added to the values that were set in the Wind, forecast
field of the Flight path parameters window. It should be clear that these values account not
only the difference between actual and used wind speed and direction conditions but also all
other possible errors of registration of some parameters. They may be called "integral" wind
parameters.
The time and coordinates of the additional target points have to be set in the
Terminal conditions table of the Flight path parameters window (Figure 11.4). Use the Ins
key to add a line. Use the Del key to delete the current line. The first line that represents the
fixed point may not be deleted. If some fields will be left empty or contain non-numerical
values they will be ignored. After optimization is done the target point will be displayed in
green color.
There is also automatic way to specify additional target points. Move the system
cursor to the position you want to set up and press the Ins key or right click on the point and
select the appropriate item from the popup menu (Figure 11.17). The program adds
coordinates of the selected point automatically and recalculates the track. The time value for
the new terminal point is taken from the current position and is equal to the value indicated on
the indicator bar in the left upper corner of the window.
Figure 11.17
The program has the special calculator to simplify the calculation of the target points
rectangular coordinates. The calculator window (Figure 11.18) appears after left double
clicking on that table line, where the coordinates of the next point should be inputted. The
different parts of the window show the coordinates of the same point calculated in
rectangular, polar and geographical systems. The numerical values are always counted from
the origin of coordinates (0,0 point). Changing the coordinates in one of the fields
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automatically leads to changing them in all other fields. Geographical coordinates format
depends on the switch position in the Master points parameters field of the Flight path
parameters window (Figure 11.4). Press the OK button to input the calculated values into the
appropriate cells of the line the calculator was called from.
Figure 11.18
11.5. Flight path printing
Press the button to print the plot. Printing will be done to the currently selected
printer or in a file depending on the settings selected in the Print settings window (chapter
10.11).
Press the button to print the numerical values of the flight path coordinates and
other parameters. The standard Windows editor will be loaded and the file will be created.
The engineering units of the values (km-m-km/h or nm-feet-knots) depend on the selected
item in the popup menu (Figure 11.19).
Figure 11.19
Note: This menu item defines the units only for the parameters that are derived
during flight path calculation. The units for other parameters are taken from the header of the
data file used for calculations.
11.6. Flight demonstration
Press the button or Space key to start demonstration. Press the same button once
again or Esc key to stop demonstration. Flight demonstration mode depends on the switch
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position that has to be specified in the corresponding popup menu item (Figure 11.20).
Selecting the moving map mode forces the aircraft to stay in the middle of the window and
the map will be moved. It is recommended to use this mode while viewing the flight path in
Zoom mode.
Figure 11.20
The sound file has to be specified to run the demonstration in real time mode. The
name of this file is set in the Sound (wav) field of the Flight path parameters window
(Figure 11.4). Left click of the label to call file open dialog box. The sound file must contain
the information on the same interval that was used for flight path calculation.
After the name of the sound file is specified the program will coordinate the moving
of the aircraft along the flight path with the sound play back. For example, if the length of the
sound file is 5 minutes then the aircraft will need exactly this time to fly along the entire track.
Use any sound editor (Sound Forge etc.) to prepare a sound file. Remember that the
play back of the sound information on the ground devices may be done not in real time mode.
In this case the sound information has to be synchronized with the parametric information
using for example crew VHF communications instants or passing the ILS marker beacons.
Correction is done by changing the length of the sound file. All modern sound editors let you
change the file length unlimitedly. You have to understand that the more is the time interval
between the points selected for synchronization the better. Use the VHF communication
instants inside the selected interval to check synchronization results.
If a sound file is not defined you may use the appropriate popup menu item (Figure
11.21) to toggle between fast and real time playback speeds.
Figure 11.21
The user may display the current values of the parameters during flight
demonstration. The table will be displayed after the units of the parameters are selected from
the popup menu (Figure 11.19).
Note: This menu item defines the units only for the parameters that are derived
during flight path calculation. The units for other parameters are taken from the header of the
data file used for calculations.
This window may be positioned (docked) in any place of the screen. To close the
window as well as to move it and change the size you have to left click inside the window.
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The boundary as well as window caption and close button will appear. To hide the caption left
click once again.
The table will contain the value of the analog parameters and On/Off signals which
short names were selected on the Flight path parameters page of the Header editor (Figure
11.1).
If both the flight path and flight data files are loaded and the box located in the left
upper corner of the flight path window (near to time mark) is checked then the program will
automatically establish a link between the two windows and allow you to view the values of
the parameters displayed in data viewing window while an aircraft is flying along the track
(Figure 11.22
If a link exists you may export the calculated flight path coordinates into the flight
data file. Use the Coordinates export to ARM file item from the popup menu of the flight
path window to do this. The flight path coordinates will be stored in the flight data file as an
additional data stream (chapter 10.15) so you have to specify a number for a data stream
(Figure 11.23). Relative time will be used to synchronize data.
Figure 11.23). The link is established using relative time. The user has to make
sure that time modes and values are synchronized in data and flight path files. At any time
moment only one data file may be connected to a flight path file.
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Figure 11.22
If a link exists you may export the calculated flight path coordinates into the flight
data file. Use the Coordinates export to ARM file item from the popup menu of the flight
path window to do this. The flight path coordinates will be stored in the flight data file as an
additional data stream (chapter 10.15) so you have to specify a number for a data stream
(Figure 11.23). Relative time will be used to synchronize data.
Figure 11.23
11.7. Saving the flight path into existing project
This type of calculation (menu item Tasks/Flight path calculation/Into existing
project) is used if it is necessary to change magnetic variation, wind conditions or time
interval but you want to keep the binding to the map, text labels and so on. After selecting the
mentioned menu item the dialog box will appear to help you select the name of the existing
project. All other actions are the same as described in chapter 11.2
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11.8. Terrain imitation
You have to specify radio altitude short name on the Flight path parameters page
(Figure 11.1) to use this function. Check the appropriate box in the Flight path
customization window (chapter 11.3.9) to switch on this function. The height of the terrain is
calculated as difference between pressure altitude after all reductions and radio altitude
values. Calculations are done only on the intervals where radio altitude values are less than
750 meters. It is recommended to use this mode for low altitudes flights in mountain as well
as for helicopter flight path calculation.
11.9. Glide path calculation
The program also may calculate the approach flight path in vertical plane. The
results will be displayed as functions from distance to the runway. To perform this calculation
the user has to specify the short name of the radio altitude on the Flight path parameters
page (Figure 11.1) and at least two text labels that define the moments of passing outer or
middle markers and touchdown. The maximum accuracy is reached if both markers are used.
In this case the program calculates the wind speed and direction basing on marker passing
instants. The predefined text labels (chapter 10.7) are used to mark marker beacons passing
and touchdown moment. The text labels should be the following: Outer marker, Middle
marker, Touchdown. The user must strictly comply with the given spelling and case of the
letters. The program may install labels automatically if the short names of the parameters are
specified in the weight on wheels (touchdown), outer marker and middle marker fields on
the Flight path parameters page of the Header editor window (Figure 11.1). Press the
Ctrl+M keys to install labels.
Recommendation: if current FDR does not register separate On/Off signals for
outer and middle markers passing you may use marker passing tokens generated by express-
analysis (chapter 12).
After those labels are set the program will ask the user if he wants to use the labels
as terminal conditions (Figure 11.24). You have to answer positively if you want to calculate
vertical path. Only the horizontal path calculation (chapter 11.2) will be done otherwise.
Figure 11.24
If the answer is positive then the new page Glideslope parameters will appear in
the Flight path parameters window (Figure 11.25).
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Figure 11.25
The user has to specify parameters of marker beacons, glide slope entrance height,
runway heading and profile.
Specifying the runway magnetic heading is mandatory.
The height of marker beacons passing set the glide slope angle. If only one beacon is
specified then the standard glide slope angle of 2 30 will be assumed.
The Height of the glide slope entrance point field sets the value the glide slope
will be plotted from.
To display the runway the user has to specify its profile. The profile is set as a
combination of values distance/elevation that is counted from the entrance threshold. The
simplest way is to specify the runway length and elevation of one threshold comparing to the
other one (Figure 11.25). Specifying RWY profile factor let you enhance visualization
conditions. All the elevations will be multiplied on this factor.
The program will treat the defined points as target points (chapter 11.4) and will
calculate their relative rectangular coordinates. The entrance threshold will be selected to be
the origin of coordinates. The calculation results will be added to the Terminal conditions
table of the Coordinates, wind, maps page automatically. The values may be changed only
through changing markers and runway properties. Calculation results for the specified
parameters are shown on Figure 11.26.
171
Figure 11.26
The flight path including vertical plane will be done after pressing the OK button.
The Glideslope page is shown on Figure 11.27.
172
Figure 11.27
173
The radio altitude graph is plotted as a function of distance to the runway threshold.
If the short names of the horizontal and vertical deviations from the glide slope (or any other
two parameters) are specified in two lines with Parameter for glide slope plot caption on the
Flight path parameters page (Figure 11.1) of the Header editor window then their graphs
will also be shown on the plot. The marker beacons and derived glide slope will also be
plotted.
To zoom the image in just select the desired part by the left mouse button from the
top left corner down to the bottom right corner. Repeat this procedure if you need to zoom
more. Make the selection in opposite direction to return to the original size.
The user may display the current values of the parameters. The table will be
displayed after the units of the parameters are selected from the popup menu (Figure 11.19).
Move the marker on the position indicator or press the button to change the current
position.
The printing of the currently displayed part of the vertical path will be done on the
page of the A4 format after pressing the button.
11.10. Viewing parameters versus distance
Selecting the Export to *.arm format popup menu item (Figure 11.28) and
specifying the resolution creates a new data file (arm file) that will contain only the
parameters which short names were defined on the Flight path parameters page of the
Header editor window (Figure 11.1). The distance to the runway threshold will be used in
this file as an argument instead of the time values. The distance is calculated as amount of
meters flown along the actual flight path.
Figure 11.28
Further work with this data file does not differ from the work with regular file but
there are some special features.
The type of all the parameters on the Parameters page is set as Analog, not
calibrated/Real number. The Passport, common data page of the Header editor window
for such a type of file is shown on the Figure 11.29.
174
Figure 11.29
The program selects automatically arbitrary type of FDR from the Data format list
and Distance switch for the X-axis type (Figure 11.29) and also sets up the fields that define
the format of the frame. It is strongly recommended not to change those values.
Passport field values will be same as in a data file that was used for flight path
calculation.
The Addresses page is shown on the Figure 11.30.
Figure 11.30
Addresses are defined as offset denoted in bits from the frame beginning. For
example, for AOA_Cor that is the fourth in the header (Figure 11.30), the offset will be (4-
1)*32=96 bits. This equation assumes that offset of the first word is 0 and each information
word is 32 bits long.
The position of the Sample time switch box defines the instants inside the frame
when the parameter will be "registered". If the On position in frame switch is checked the
program will automatically calculate the registration instants of each parameter depending on
its order number and frame length. If the Equal in frame switch is checked then the
175
samples of the parameters measured once per frame will be 0, twice per frame 0 and 0.5
and so on.
The failure mark position will also be set automatically. It is strongly not
recommended to change those values.
The properties of the distance axis may be adjusted in the Distance-axis options
window (Figure 11.31) that appears after selecting the Settings/X-axis properties menu item
or right clicking on the X-axis label.
Figure 11.31
The window let you specify the units of distance measuring, axis label as well as the
relative distance value at the active cursor position.
11.11. Adding charts
This function lets you add different navigation charts (for example approach chart)
to the graph viewing.
The added data should be first saved in a text file. The name of the file is assigned in
the dialog window which appears after left clicking on the Scheme #1, Scheme #2 or Scheme
#3 text fields (Figure 11.4) of the Flight path parameters window after the cursor turns into
. Press when you select the file name.
Note: If the user creates a local navigation database from the DAFIF database
(Chapter 10.17.3) and wishes to use it as a scheme file they must assign the name of area.txt
from the NAVI/Select of the main software catalog.
Below is a part of the file that contains description of various navigation chart
sections.
<ARPT>
KARDLA + 58.990756 22.830733
KURESSAARE + 58.229883 22.509494
HANKO + 59.848864 23.083583
<RWY>
KARDLA 32 + 58.986858 22.835744
KARDLA 14 + 58.996536 22.823742 00098 58.986858 22.835744 4
KURESSAARE 23 + 58.232897 22.518800
KURESSAARE 05 + 58.229172 22.507175 00098 58.232897 22.518800
KURESSAARE 36 + 58.223069 22.509589
KURESSAARE 18 + 58.236697 22.509397 00098 58.223069 22.509589
HANKO 21 + 59.854253 23.093944
HANKO 03 + 59.842256 23.078008 00059 59.854253 23.093944
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<ATS>
- 67.131670 56.81 68.833 58.066670
<WPT>
KURESSAARE + 58.228333 22.515361
OSMUR + 59.249167 23.475833
RAMIM + 59.768333 23.310833
VADAN + 59.147222 23.695000
The program differentiates between the four navigation chart sections:
airports (<ARPT>);
runways (<RWY>);
air tracks (<ATS>);
waypoints (<WPT>).
Each section starts with a relative key word bracketed by "< >". The key word is
followed by a description of the section objects. The description of each object takes one line.
The number of fields in the description line depends on the section type. The fields must be
divided by horizontal tabulation symbol.
Section <ARPT>
This section contains positions of the aerodrome reference points. Each line has four
fields. The first field contains the airport name that will be placed on the chart. The name can
be absent but the horizontal tabulation symbol must be present. It is followed by the "+" or "-
" symbols that will determine if the object will be displayed on the chart or not. The third and
fourth fields determine the latitude and longitude (in degrees).
Section <RWY>
This section contains descriptions of runways. Each line has eight fields. The first
field contains the runway name to be placed on the chart. The name can be absent but the
horizontal tabulation symbol must be present. It is followed by the "+" or "-" symbols that
will determine if the object will be displayed on the chart or not. The third and fourth fields
determine the latitude and longitude (in degrees) of the runway entrance threshold. The fifth
defines the runway width in feet. The sixth and the seventh fields determine the latitude and
longitude (in degrees) of the runway exit threshold. The eighth field defines the extended
runway centerline length with relevance to the runway length. The extended runway line will
be drawn from the entrance threshold. If this number is absent the extended runway centerline
will not be drawn.
Section < ATS >
This section contains air tracks descriptions. Each line has six fields. The frst field
contains the air track name to be placed on the chart. The name can be absent but the
horizontal tabulation symbol must be present. It is followed by the "+" or "-" symbols that
will determine if the object will be displayed on the chart or not. The third and fourth fields
determine the latitude and longitude (in degrees) of the initial track point. The fifth and sixth
fields determine the latitude and longitude (in degrees) of the end of track. The points are
linked with straight lines.
Section <WPT>
This section contain descriptions of any navigation or other points (VOR, NDB,
crash point etc..). Each lin has four fields. The first field contains the point name that will be
placed on the chart. It is followed by the "+" or "-" symbols that will determine if the object
will be displayed on the chart or not. The third and fourth fields determine the latitude and
longitude (in degrees).
After the file name is defined the software will draw in the flight path viewing
window all the elements marked with "+". If the cursor is placed over any element its name
will appear in the status bar. Right clicking calls up the dialog window (Figure 11.32) with the
help of which the user may delete or add any waypoints on the screen. To add/delete points
177
just check or uncheck a relative switch. After introducing the required changes close the
window by pressing the corresponding button in the window header line. All the saved
changes will be displayed on the screen and saved in the associated text file.
Figure 11.32
The predefined points coordinates may be used to automatically assign the
coordinates of points used to bind the flight path to the map (master points).
To set the master point coordinates right click it to call for the dialog window
(Figure 11.32). Select the needed point and left double click it. The window will be
automatically closed and the coordinates changed. You may also call for the dialog window
from the Flight path parameters window (Figure 11.4). It will appear after left clicking on
the Master point #1 or Master point #2 text fields.
Press DB button in the Reference point coordinates dialog window (Figure 11.9) to
automatically assign the reference point coordinates. The dialog window will appear (Figure
11.32). Select the needed point and left double click it. The window will be automatically
closed and the coordinates changed.
11.12. Flight path calculation using local runway database
The creation of a local runway database is described in Chapter 10.17.5.
To automatically use the data on a certain runway you must first define its identifier
in the third line (RWY landings) on the Flight path parameters page of the Header editor
window (Figure 11.1). The runway identifier is assigned by retrieving of the passport field
value (for example P36). To do this add a field (line) on the Passport, common data page
(Figure 9.2) with the corresponding number (36 in this case). Adding lines process is
described in chapter 9.1.1. After creating the line assign the runway identifier in the Passport
fields values column. The identifier consists of two parts: runway number and airport name
(for example 07R [SHEREMETYEVO, RS]). The accurate runway identifier can be found
in the rwy.txt file of the \NAVI\Select folder. You can input the runway identifier either
manually (by typing or pasting) or using the pre-made pick-file. The creation of a pick-file is
described in 9.1.1.
Recommendation: for more convenient viewing of the runway identifiers it is
recommended to import the rwy.txt for example to the Microsoft Excel and view structured
information in a more convenient way.
When you assign the identifier in the RWY landings line and set the marker passing
marks and touchdown moment (chapter 11.9) the user may activate the quick glideslope
(flight path) calculation function into a temporary file. This function becomes active when
you press the G button in the graph viewing window or after selecting Tasks/Flight path
calculation/Glideslope menu item. The glideslope parameter window will open (Figure
178
11.25) with automatically input runway parameters. If necessary (for example when DAFIF
data are absent) the user can input (change) them in a usual way. The resulting file will be
automatically named tmp.tra. The file name is reflected in the window caption and the file
itself is stored in the software root foler. Attention, next time the quick glideslope calculation
function is used this file will be automatically updated. If you plan to further use it you will
have to rename the file.
11.13. Connection with Microsoft Flight Simulator
11.13.1. General
This function allows the user to transfer data about the calculated flight path and
other required information including recorded and derived parameters to the Microsoft Flight
Simulator (MS FS) in order to get a realistic reconstruction of the flight in real time scale
simulating the cockpit situation and synchronization with sound files.
The MS FS is actually an "engine" for visualization of the data assigned by the user
who can use all the functional possibilities of the MS FS:
A large range of aircraft models, instrument panels, airport scenarios.
A possibility to simulate weather cnditions of any severity.
A possibility to view the flight reconstruction from any position including
the cockpit seats.
A reconstruction of the fligt instrument indications including instruments that
display navaid signals as well as flight crew control input.
The described function may be realized in two possible ways:
WinArm32 and MS FS are istalled and running on the same computer.
WinArm32 and MS FS are installed and running on different computers
connected through local network.
In the first case the MS FS 2004 and FSUIPC utilite by Pete Dowsen must be
installed on the users computer. In the second case apart from the mentioned two, an
additional WideFS utilite by Pete Dowsen must be installed.
Further the installation order of the needed program modules is described:
1. Install the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 (MS FS2004).
2. Copy the simuldll.dll FSUIPC.dll files to Modules subfolder of the MS FS2004
main folder. If necessary, install the WideFS libraries following the manufacturers
recommendations.
3. Copy the fs_winarm.dll file to the WinArm32 directory.
4. Install the video capture program Camtasia 2.0 by running the CamSRSDK.EXE and
insert the serial number.
5. Install additional aircraft models for MS FS2004 following the instruction.
6. Start up the MS FS2004, wait for initialization, select an aircraft type and start
flying.
7. Open the Modules/FSUIPC menu, press Register FSUIPC and insert the registration
data. If necessary register the WideFS.
Pete Dowsen and Microsoft Flight Simulator sites:
http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html
http://www.avsim.ru/
http://www.flightsimworld.com/
http://russia.simflight.com/
The mentioned software products as well as needed aircraft models and airport
scenarios are to be obtained by the user as an addition on the basis of the existing license
agreements.
To activate the data transfer function follow the procedure below:
Install MS FS 2004 and select the desired aircraft.
179
Upload the flight path file that requires visualization. Before uploading make
sure that the fs_winarm.dll file is present in the WinArm32 folder.
Important, the flight path file uploading must be done only after the MSFS
is started.
Press the data transfer button in MS FS2004 and switch to the simulator
window. If everything was correct and all the mentioned files are present in
the assigned folders in a few seconds the MS FS 2004 will move the aircraft
to the current flight path position.
As the connection with the simulator is established press in the flight path
viewing window to start the flight (It is recommended to set the simulator off
the pause (P button)).
For normal work completion, before exiting the program deactivate the
button in the WinArm32 flight path viewing window.
11.13.2. Transferring data to MS FS and their visualization
To create a simple flight reconstruction in the MS FS the following data should be
transferred:
latitude;
longitude;
altitude (absolute);
airspeed;
true heading (magnetic);
roll;
pitch.
The flight path calculation program will automaticallty transfer the coordinates,
altitude and true heading as well as ground speed projections estimated during flight path
calculation. To transfer the roll and pitch values their identifiers must be assigned before the
flight path calculation is done in the corresponding lines on the Flight path parameters
(Figure 11.1) page of the Header editor window.
Generally speaking the values of any analog parameters whose identifiers are
assigned on that page are transferred to the MS FS for visualization. However, the user must
understand that speed parameters (airspeed, vertical speed, Mach, angle of attack) can be
visualized with slight inaccuracies caused by the MS FS recalculations by its own formulae.
The accuracy of visualizing of those parameters that are determined by relative flight controls
positions (engine N1 and N2, rudder deflection, etc.) depends on the accuracy of the flight
model used by the MS FS. The instrument indications reflecting the navaid signals depend on
the navaid characteristics (coordinates, etc.) input to the MS FS.
To transfer engine parameters and flight control position the Power unit
parameters (#1,#2,#3) and Control system parameters (#1, #2, #3) lines of the Flight path
parameters page are used (Figure 11.33).
180
Figure 11.33
These are combined values, as they contain information on several power plant or
flight control parameters. Below is the correspondence table that determines reflection of the
actual physical parameters on the combined ones and also gives a number of bits in a
combined word that is used to represent a certain parameter.
Power unit parameters (#1) Throttle 1, Throttle 2, Throttle 3, 16 bits for
one throttle.
Power unit parameters (#2) N1 of engines 1,2,3, N2 of engines
1,2,3, 8 bits for one value.
Power unit parameters (#3) Throttle 4, N1 and N2 of engine 4, 16 bits
for one throttle and 8 bits for N1 and N2.
Flight control parameters (#1) Column, wheel and pedal positions, 16 bits
for every value.
Flight control parameters (#2) Spoiler, flap and stabilizer control handles ,
16 bits for every value.
Flight control parameters (#3) Elevator, aileron, rudder and stabilizer
position.
To understand the principles of forming combined parameters it is necessary to
understand how the MS FS assignes the throttle and flight control positions. As the absolute
values of these parameter are different depending on the aircraft type they are assigned in
relative values with certain fixed minima and maxima. The actual minimum and maximum
values are defined in the configuration file of each aircraft. The table below shows the relative
maximum deflections of various flight controls as well as the sign rule of the MS FS.
+16383 noseup
Column
-16383 nosedown
+16383 Right bank
Wheel
-16383 Left bank
+16383 Right pedal input
Pedals
-16383 Left pedal input
+16383 Noseup
Stabilizer
-16383 Nosedown
Spoilers +16383 Fully extended
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0 Fully retracted
+16383 Completely down
Landing gear
0 Completely up
16384 Full forward thrust
Throttles
-4096 Full reverse thrust
Thus, to assign the deflections of, say, the control column, wheel or pedals the
following procedure should be applied:
1. Create an additional parameter in the data file that will determine the transition
coefficient between the relative and absolute values of the control column, wheel and pedals
deflections. See the example of control column position coefficient for Boeing 767 on Figure
11.34.
Figure 11.34
2. Create a combined parameter to transfer these values to the MS FS (Figure
11.35). As was mentioned above, 16 bits will be used for each value. The lower 14 bits (the
value of 16383 (0x3FFF)) are used to assign the value itself, the 15th bit serves to assign the
sign of the deflection, and the 16th bit determines the presence or absence of the basic
parameter in the combined one.
182
Figure 11.35
183
Express-analysis
12. Flight information express-analysis
12.1. Express-analysis basics
This chapter describes the principles of express-analysis creating and running in the
WinArm32 environment. From the WinArm32 point of view all the express-analysis
events (algorithms) are calculated On/Off signals created with the help of the built-in
algorithm interpreter (chapters 9.2.2.4 and 9.3.2.2). Therefore, they are a part of the header
file (chapter 9.1). The program provides user-friendly interface of the Header editor to create
and modify the express-analysis algorithms. This approach along with the ability to export
algorithms into the simple text file, to correct them over there and to import them back,
provides the portability of the algorithms from one data file to another.
Express-analysis results are saved into the corresponding data file and may be
displayed as On/Off signals along with the registered parameters. This way guarantees the
maximum level of evidence while checking express-analysis events and analyzing their
causes.
In the end of this chapter it should be noted that express-analysis algorithms are not
intended to monitor flight performance during training flights or aviation accidents.
12.2. Access levels to the express-analysis algorithms
There are two different levels of access to the express-analysis algorithms:
Full access with the ability to modify existing and to create new algorithms.
Users access with the ability to run the existing algorithms and to
customize the appearance of the results.
The current level of access is settled by the type of the protection key and by the
resource accessibility settings (chapter 6). It is necessary to have the name key in order to get
the full access to the express-analysis algorithms. This key does not require entering users
name and password while logging into the program.
Check the Further information processing (the Tasks menu item) box of the
WinArm32 security settings window (chapter 6) in order to establish users level of access
for the appropriate type of the user.
12.3. Running express-analysis algorithms. Viewing and printing the
results.
It is strongly recommended to remove all the registration failures (chapter 10.6),
especially frame failures, before express-analysis implementing. Lots of incorrect express-
analysis events may be registered otherwise.
If frame failures exist in the beginning or at the end of the file it may influence
results of express-analysis. You may specify a number of frames which will be skipped while
performing express-analysis. Use the corresponding fileds of the Add.param EA window
(Figure 12.1) which appears after clicking the Add.param. button on the Express-Analysis
page of the Header Editor window. Also this window helps to define one of the modes that
will be used for events of regular information type (chapter 12.9) that monitor a maximum
(or minimum) value of a parameter. Placing the switch to the desired position you may save
all the realization of the particular event or only one realization (on the processing interval)
with the maximum (or minimum) value of a parameter being monitored.
184
Express-analysis
Figure 12.1
The buffer depth filed values are used for calculations of the parameters of the
algorithm interpreter type as well as during express-analysis running. The meaning of this
field is described in the appropriate chapters (9.2.2.4 and 12.12.2).
The Time for EA field is used for determining the kind of time scale (relative or
registered) that will be used for express-analysis. To perform express-analusis using
registered time the short name of the parameter which represents registered time shall be
defined in the Time field (Figure 12.2).
Both abovementioned fields are enabled only for users with full access and if
express-analysis debug mode (chapter 12.12) is active.
If express-analysis is implemented in the relative time mode, to make the results
more evident, it is recommended to set the relative time equal to the registered time (chapter
10.4).
The flight passport fields have to be filled in afterwards. If you have the
administrators level of access the passport fields may be filled in on the Common data page
of the Header editor window (Figure 12.2).
Figure 12.2
185
Express-analysis
However, the best way to fill in the passport is to call it from the WinArm32
Database window (Figure 7.1) or from the information viewing window. To display the File
passport window (Figure 12.3) from the WinArm32 Database, just select the desired file in
the list of files and press F2 key. Press Ctrl+F2 keys to display this window from the
information viewing window.
Figure 12.3
The quantity of the fields that have to be filled in depends on the type of the aircraft.
The passport of the appropriate format is added automatically during the data file creation. If
necessary, the user may do it manually by choosing the appropriate item from the popup
menu (Figure 12.4), that appears after right clicking on the passport field. The user must fill
in all the fields starting from line number eight (after line Header). Otherwise, express-
analysis running may be interrupted by messages about run-time errors.
Figure 12.4
Use the appropriate items of the popup menu to add or delete the user defined lines
of the passport. It is strongly recommended not to delete the predefined passport fields and to
add fields strictly after all the predefined lines. Otherwise, the correct work of the express-
analysis is not guarantied.
To run the express-analysis you have to select the desired flight (time interval) with
the help of the moving cursors and choose the Tasks/Express-analysis/Run menu item or
186
Express-analysis
just press F9 key. However, if the item Tasks/Express-Analysis/Max. time interval of the
main menu is checked then the express-analysis will be done on the whole interval registered
in the current file regardless of the cursors positions.
Express-analysis is stopped either if the end of the time interval will be reached or if
the special terminal event will be registered. The appropriate message will be popped up in
the last case. At any time you are able to abort the express-analysis by pressing Esc key.
Note: Any event whose identification number is more than 9900 will be treated as a
terminal event.
Press the F9 key in the Database window (Figure 7.1) initiates package express-
analysis. The express-analysis starts with the active file selected in the window and continue
until the end of the list. During this process the program window will be minimized to System
Tray and when the express-analysis is finished it will automatically regain its normal size. To
interrupt package express-analysis left click the program icon in the System Tray and confirm
the action. The express-analasis will be interrupted and the Database window will be
automatically displayed on the screen.
If the main program folder contains a folder named HDR with a header file whose
name coincides with the aircraft registration number in the current file and if the Data
sharing/Auto header replacement menu item was selected in the graph viewing window
(this menu item is available even if no data file is open and will be automatically selected
every time the program starts up) before conducting the express-analysis the program will
suggest changing the current header to the header contained in the HDR folder. Caution: the
checked condition of the Data sharing/Auto header replacement menu item is
automatically cleared after each use.
The results of the express-analysis are saved into the data file (with the arm
extension) and will be kept over there until the express-analysis is made once again or the
header of this file is edited i.e. the OK button is pressed in the Header editor window. Select
the Tasks/Express-analysis/Open menu item or press Shift+F9 keys to view currently
existing results of the express-analysis.
Recommendation: The beginning of the time interval for express-analysis
implementation should start shortly after the time when the FDR was switched on. The end of
the time interval depends on what stages of flight should be analyzed. It is strongly
recommended to analyze the whole flight up to the end.
The user may use the special function to search for the beginnings and ends of
flights automatically if the data file contains more than one flight. Identification data will be
used as a criterion for this search. Press F11 key to activate this function. Search results will
be displayed in the window shown on Figure 12.5. The plot of the parameter whose short
name is selected in the Relative height, m line of the Analog parameters list of the Flight
path parameters page of the Header editor window will be presented in the top part of the
window. This filed will be empty if no parameter is selected. The user may change the size of
the graph field by dragging its lower boundary. To go to the desired flight just check the
appropriate box (selected flight will be marked with the blue color in the bottom part of the
graph) and click OK button. The moving cursors will be located on the boundaries of the
selected flight.
187
Express-analysis
Figure 12.5
The user may save the current data file so that it will contain only selected flight.
This function is activated after pressing F12 key. The program will save only the part of
information that is located between the moving cursors. All other information will be deleted
without possibility to be recovered. It is recommended to save the initial data file with the
different name before implementing this function.
The results of the express-analysis will be presented in the window shown on Figure
12.6.
Figure 12.6
The window caption contains the date when express-analysis algorithms were
changed the last time. .
188
Express-analysis
The plot of the parameter which short name is selected in the Relative height, m
line of the Analog parameters list of the Flight path parameters page of the Header editor
window will be presented in the top part of the window. This filed will be empty if no
parameter is selected. The user may change the size of the graph field by dragging its lower
boundary.
Depending on the type of the aircraft the window will have different amount of
pages. Each page contains the events of the same type. The following information is displayed
for the event of the message type (Figure 12.6):
Caption Description
ID The unique number of the event
Ident. The short name of the event
N The amount and the order number of the current event
Tbeg Recovered time of the event beginning
Tend Recovered time of the event end
^T Duration of the event
Type of event Description of the event
The following information is displayed for the event of the regular information
type:
Caption Description
N The amount and the order number of the current event
T Recovered time of the event beginning (for events registered on
interval) or time of registration (for events registered in one point)
Ident. The short name of the event
Value The value of the target parameter
The following information is displayed for the event of the endurance hours type:
Caption Description
T/N Duration or amount of all the events of current type
The user is able to sort events using one of the following fields:
unique number of the event (ID);
recovered time of the event beginning;
recovered time of the event end.
The caption of the "key" column contains the "*" mark. Left double click on the
caption of the column to make it key one. The events are sorted only in the express-analysis
results window. The sorting does not change the order of the events while printing the results
(chapter 12.6).
If more than one event were registered on the current time interval then the "N"
column would contain the equation like x#y, where y is the order number of the current
(selected) event and x is the quantity of the events. Use the Time list located in the right part
of the window to select a particular event (the value of y parameter) in this situation. The
program is able to register up to 80 occurrences of the particular event.
Note: If any event is fixed for the 81-st time and more then it will be recorded on the
place of the event number 80. First 79 events will not be changed. The term "will be
recorded" means that data structure associated with the event will be saved. The functions
that retrieve the amount of the registered events and the total duration of the events will still
be working correctly regardless of the number of the events.
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Select the event in the list and press F2 key to view the algorithm of the event
generation and the appropriate note if it exists (Figure 12.7).
Figure 12.7
If generation algorithm of the event covers the registration of the values of some
parameters then, after selecting this event from the list, those values will be shown in the
Parameter field located in the right upper part of the window (Figure 12.6). In the given
window the following conditional labels are used:
+ The maximum value of the parameter on the interval of event registration
- The minimum value of the parameter on the interval of event registration
< The value of the parameter at the moment of the event registration
beginning
> The value of the parameter at the moment of the event registration end
m The median of the values of the parameter on the interval of event
registration
o The mathematical average of the parameter in engineering units on the
interval of event registration
s The standard deviation of the parameter in engineering units on the interval
of event registration
~ Value of a time integral of a parameter on the event realization interval
Double click with the left mouse button on the desired event to view the
confirmation plot. The program will change to the Plot for analysis/printing screen and
display the standard task that confirms the selected event. The name of the current event will
be automatically used as a figure caption. The interval of the event registration is shown by
the moving cursors. Press ESC or Shift+F9 keys to return to the list of events. If there is no
standard task for event confirmation the program will display appropriate warning. See
chapter 12.4 for the instructions how to customize confirmation plots.
If the analysis revealed that the event was registered incorrectly it may be excluded
from further processing by moving on the Deleted page. Select the incorrect event, press Del
key and confirm deleting to move the event on the Deleted page. Deleting may also be done
by dragging the event with the left mouse button on the Deleted page keeping the Ctrl key
pressed.
To recover the event from the Deleted page you have to select it and, again, press
the Del key.
After the correctness of the events registration is checked the results of the express-
analysis may be printed on the blank of the pre-defined format. Printing is done trough
Microsoft Word after clicking the Template#1 or Template#2 buttons. The difference is
that selecting the template does not include the events of Endurance hours and Regular
information types. The user may print a file and/or save it for future using.
Caution: when you attempt to load a Microsoft Word template and print the
express-analysis results a warning may appear reading "
". This error is connected with a bug in the Russian version (may be in some
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others) of MS Word and can be treated by deleting the button from the "Format"
toolbar. To do this: open MS Word, remove the button and close Word to save changes in
the template.
Clicking the =>DB button will create a data file which may be imported by the
program for analyzing express-analysis results. This program has to be installed separately
and has its own users manual.
12.4. Customizing plots used for events confirmation and events colors for
printing
Having the user level of access to the express-analysis you are allowed to customize
appearance of the plots used for events confirmation procedure. The name of the file that
contains standard tasks used for confirmation has to be specified in the Add files field of the
Common data page of the Header editor window (Figure 12.2). This file has to be made in
advance using the standard tasks creating procedure provided by the program (chapter 10.1.1).
It should be noted that when you create standard tasks file for the first time the program saves
it in the program's root folder with the _.stn name. After all the tasks are made the file has to
be saved with another name and this name (without extension) should be specified in the Add
files field. The file should be saved either in the program's root folder or in any subfolder. If
the file is located in a subfolder then, besides the name, the path from the root folder should
be specified. Subfolder names have to be separated by the backslash (Figure 12.2).
When you open a data file which already has the name of the standard tasks file in
the mentioned field then this file becomes active one and all newly created tasks will be saved
in this file automatically.
The order number of the task used for confirmation of the currently selected event as
well as the amount of seconds that will be used to display graphs before and after event
registration interval have to be set in the Plot options field on the Parameter page of the
Header editor window.
Attention: If the standard tasks file name is not specified tasks from the default file
_.stn will be used for events confirmation.
Additionally the user may customize the file that contains the comments that will
accompany express-analysis events (Figure 12.7). The file must be located in the same folder
as the file that contains standard tasks and have the same name with the fom extension. The
file has simple text format (in Windows encoding). Each comment has the following format:
<8248>
Enter text of the comment here
The text of the comment is preceded by the unique number of the corresponding
event. The number should be placed inside < > symbols. The comment starts from the next
line, may occupy several lines and must not contain the symbols mentioned above.
You may edit a file with comments not only with the text processors but also using
the program interface. You have to use the Express-analysis page of the Header editor
window (Figure 12.8) to edit a comment to the selected event.
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Figure 12.8
Important: When you open the Header editor window all the comments from the
associated fom-file on hard disk are copied into the operational memory. All the changes are
done with those data in the operational memory. The changes are saved to the file only after
pressing the OK button in the Header editor window and confirming the operation otherwise,
the changes will not be saved.
Having the user level of access to the express-analysis algorithms you are also
allowed to cutomize the colors which will be used for events printing on the screen as well as
for preparing the hard copy of the results. The standard Color selection dialog is used to
specify the color. This dialog appears after left double clicking on the desirable line of the
Color column (Figure 12.8). In the example shown on Figure 12.8 the S131 event will be
displayed in orange.
12.5. Sorting express-analysis events
The program provides you with the capability to sort all the express-analysis events
and operating time for the selected time interval. The sorting could be done using files
(flights) that meet some criteria. The sorting will be done after selecting the Sort EA events
(Figure 12.9) popup menu item of the second-level sorting field of the Database window
(Figure 7.1) or after double clicking by the left mouse button on the selected parameter. The
sorting will be done for those registration number (or Captain or etc) that is currently selected
on the second-level sorting field.
Figure 12.9
A new window that normally has three pages named Messages, Regular
information and Endurance hours will appear. The Regular information and Endurance
hours pages will appear only if the second-level sorting was done using the registration
number (Reg.No) field as a key and express-analysis algorithms contain at least one
parameter of regular information and/or endurance hours type. See figures 12.10, 12.11
and 12.12 for pages example.
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Figure 12.10
Figure 12.11
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Figure 12.12
The left part of the Messages page contains the list of all the messages (events)
registered in the selected files. The right part displays all the flights where the message
currently selected in the left part was registered. Left double click on the desired line in the
right part of the window to load the current data file and to open the message confirmation
plot automatically. You may also press the OK button to load a file that is currently selected
in the right part of the window. Press ESC key to return to the messages list from data file
viewing mode.
If the selected files contain parameters of regular information type then the
Regular information page will contain the summary of all the parameters that are monitored.
The left part of the window contains the list of the monitored parameters. If a parameter
exceeds the set limitations at least in one of the selected files then the special mar of yellow
color (small deviations) or red color (significant deviations) will appear in the ID column near
to the name of the parameter. If a parameter becomes the active one (after left clicking on its
name) then the bottom right part of the window will contain the graphical representation of
the parameter's tren versus flights. You may change height of the graphical field by moving
its upper boundary with the left mouse button. The scale of the horizontal "flight" axis could
be changed after left clicking and selecting the desired region in the direction from the left to
the right keeping the mouse button pressed. The same action performed in right-left direction
will display all the data.
The upper right part of the window contains the tabular represenation of the selected
parameter. There is a link between the tabular and graphical fields. Selecting any line in the
right part of the window will change the focus (active point) on the graph. On the other hand,
clicking the particular point on the graph will change selection in the table.
Left double click on the line in the left part of the window will load the active file
from the right part into the graph viewer. You may also press the OK button to load a file that
is currently selected in the right part of the window. Left double click on the desired file in the
right part of the window to load it directly. Prees ESC key to return to the messages list from
data file viewing mode.
The user may customize the "width" of the yellow and red limitation regions. The
Express-Analysis page of the Database window is used for customization. The display mode
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switch in the upper part of the window must be in the Regular information position (Figure
12.13).
Figure 12.13
The values may be entered either directly or by selecting the desired parameter from
the additional window (Figure 12.14) that appears after left double clicking on th edesired
field. The values of the selected parameter may be added to (subtracted from) the given value
to allow the flexible adjustment of the yellow and red limitations. The example on Figure
12.14 shows that the target approach speed is selected as a basis and 10 units is added to set
the limitation.
Figure 12.14
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If the selected files contain parameters of endurance hours type then the total
values sumed up from all the files will be displayed in the left part of the window. The Total
column will contain the operating time sumed on the specified time interval. The right part of
the window contains the details (data separated out onto particular flights) about the
parameter selected in the left part. The reference graph which shows a tendency of
parameter's behaviour is given in the bottom part of the window. This graph has a link to the
table in the right part of the window and vice versa. Selecting any parameter in the table will
display the appropriate label on the graph. On the other hand, clicking a particular point on
the graph will change selection in the table.
You may define the time interval that will be used for sorting. Select the Adjust the
interval switch and specify the desired dates. You may save sorting results into the Microsoft
Word file using the Print button.
Left double click on the line in the left part of the window will load the currently
active data file from the right part of the window. You may also press the OK button to load a
file that is currently selected in the right part of the window. Left double click on the desired
file in the right part of the window to load it directly.Prees ESC key to return to the messages
list from data file viewing mode.
12.6. Printing express-analysis algorithms
Click the Print button being on the Express analysis page of the Header editor
window to print express-analysis algorithms. The Microsoft Word text processor will be
loaded and an automatically made file will be opened. The user may print this file or save it
for further work.
The user may select between normal and syntax printing modes. Just make your
choice in the dialog box that appears after clicking the Print button. The color coding of
different groups of the parameters is used for color printing:
readinesses and tokens in red color;
analog parameters in blue color;
On/Off signals in green color;
functions in purple color.
You may find the list of the registered parameters at the end of the document. Only
parameters that are used in algorithms are color-coded in this list.
12.7. Express-analysis algorithms modifying and creating
To use principles and methods described in this chapter the user has to have
advanced experience in working with WinArm32, especially with algorithm interpreter
(chapters 9.2.2.4 and 9.3.2.2), and have some knowledge in express-analysis algorithms
building area. Attention, unskilled modifying of the algorithms supplied with the program
may result in their incorrect work and program reinstallation necessity.
You must have the full access level (name key) to modify and create express
analysis algorithms.
To create an express-analysis event just add a new parameter to the header of the
current file and select On/Off signal (calc)/Express analysis event as a type for this
parameter. Specify the unique number for this parameter that must be above 8000.
Note: Express-analysis algorithms may contain some pre-calculated values, the so
called L-values. Those values may be both analog parameters and On/Off signals but in any
case they have to be of algorithm interpreter type.
Only for standardization purposes it is recommended to use the following ranges of
unique numbers:
8001-8200 for auxiliary calculated parameters (L-values), tokens and
readinesses;
8201 - 9000 for messages;
9001 -9900 for regular information and endurance hours;
9900-9999 for terminal events.
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Express-analysis is stopped either if the end of the time interval is reached or if the
special terminal event is registered. The corresponding message will be popped up in the last
case. Any event whose identification number is more than 9900 will be treated as terminal
event.
After defining the short name and full name of the event the equation (generation
algorithm) has to be specified. For the standardization purposes only it is recommended to
start the short name of the event of the message type (see below) with the letter S.
The Header editor window for the On/Off signal (calc)/Express analysis event
type of the parameter is shown on Figure 12.15. Appearance and functions provided by this
window is very similar to ones provided by the window of Algorithm interpreter type of the
parameter (Figure 9.43).
Figure 12.15
Important: Equation (algorithm) that describes conditions of the event registration
consists generally from two parts separated by the backslash \ symbol. The left part of the
equation (before backslash) describes the condition which being met results in starting the
registration of an event. The right part of the equation (after backslash) describes the
condition which being met results in stopping the registration of an event. If the backslash
symbol is absent the event registration starts and stops using the same condition. If there is a
backslash symbol but there is no equation after it then, after the condition becomes true,
registration of the event starts and continues up to the end of the information processing.
If two parts are separated by the "|" symbol then after the left part condition
becomes TRUE the program checks what event comes earlier either the left part condition
becomes FALSE again or right part condition becomes TRUE. If right part condition comes
first the event will not be registered at all.
The program does not differentiates between the capital and ordinary letters in the
equation. The only exception from this rule is mentioned below in this chapter while
describing the @ operator.
There are two more ways to dismiss event registration. First way is to check the
Dont save box in the Additionally field. If this box is checked the event will not be
registered if it is not closed before the processing is finished (end of the time interval is
reached or terminal event is registered). In other words, event will not be registered if the
beginning conditions for event registration have been met but the conditions to stop
registration are not met before the end of the processing. The second way is to use the Clear
list in the Additionally field. The current event will not be registered if the On/Off signal or
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event selected from the list will be registered before the conditions specified in the equation to
stop event registration are met.
All the functions and arithmetic operations described in chapters 9.2.2.4 and 9.3.2.2,
are valid for express-analysis algorithms creation. It is strongly recommended to read those
chapters once again.
The following express-analysis run-time functions are introduced additionally:
ok (bn) Takes the true value at the moment when the event bn (n=1..8)
changes its value from false to true (considering delays).
no (bn) Takes the true value at the moment when the event bn (n=1..8)
changes its value from true to false (considering delays).
@bn, !@bn Checks the existence (absence) of the On/Off signal or event bn
(n=18)
an(m), bn(m) Retrieves the value of the analog parameter (n=1..8) or On/Off
signal/event (n=1..8) with m seconds shift where m is any value of
seconds including negative or fractional.
t0 (bn), The time of the beginning of the last realization of the event bn
t0(#) (n=1..8) or of the last realization of the current event. If there are no
events registered the value will be 0. This function works only with
the events which registration had already finished at the present
moment.
tk (bn), The time of the end of the last realization of the event bn (n=1..8) or
tk (#) of the last realization of the current event. If there are no events the
value will be 0. This function works only with the events which
registration had already finished at the present moment.
t^ (bn), The duration (interval) of the last realization of the event bn
t^ (#) (n=1..8) or of the last realization of the current event. If there are no
events the value will be 0. This function works only with the events
which registration had already finished at the present moment.
t (bn), The time elapsed from the moment of registration beginning of
t (#) event bn (n=1..8) or current event. This function works with the
event which are being registered at the present moment. If there is
no event the value will be 0.
dt The same as t (#) function.
dm (bn), The value of the analog parameter dm (m=1..4), saved in the data
dm (#) structure of the last registered realization of the event bn (n=1..8) or
of the current event.
hm (bn), The value of the analog parameter hm (m=1..4), saved at the
hm (#) moment of the beginning of the last realization of the event bn
(n=1..8) or of the current event.
t, t1, t2 The value of the current relative time as well as times of the
beginning and end of information processing interval.
n (bn), The amount of the realizations of the event bn (n=1..8) or the
n (#) amount of the realizations of the current event.
g (bn), The total duration of all the realizations of the event bn (n=1..8)
g (#) including event currently being registered if any or the total duration
of all the realization of the current event.
a(x,y) Integer unsigned value calculated from a word of y-bits length taken
with the x-bits offset (shift) from the beginning of the current frame
considering that least significant bit value of this word is 1.
last The presence of this modifier that is installed in the square brackets
[] in the end of the equation tells the program that only the last
registered realization of the current event should be saved.
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The functions in the table above are given in accordance with the priority of their
execution. Functions and arithmetic operations described in the chapters 9.2.2.4 and 9.3.2.2
have lower priority.
Below are some comments and examples of the mentioned functions and operations.
The ok (bn) and no (bn) functions are used to define the instants of the bn event
registration beginning and end correspondingly. They retrieve the "true" value only once at
the instants of event registration beginning or end correspondingly (taking the T0 and Tk
values into account). The particular equation may contain only one function of this type.
These functions do not work with On/Off signals. An example (Figure 12.16) shows the
possible way to determine the end of flying above marker beacon. Function no (b1) retrieves
the true value only at the moment when marker token disappeared.
Figure 12.16
One more useful feature of these functions is that if they retrieve "false" value the
remaining part of the equation will not be interpreted which shortens work time significantly.
The @bn, !@bn operators are used with the On/Off signals or events. If an event or
On/Off signal preceded by the @ operator is absent then the remaining part of the equation
will not be interpreted which shortens work time significantly. The equation may have
unlimited arguments with the @ symbol. An example is shown on Figure 12.17.
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Figure 12.17
In this example if the glide slope token is absent the remaining part of the equation
will not be interpreted. Attention, you have to remember that this operator may be used only
with On/Off signals (events) that are included in the equation using logical "AND". Using
this operator with On/Off signals (events) that are included in the equation using logical
"OR" does not make any practical sense however there will be no error message. If the@
operator is used along with the denial symbol (!), it must be placed between the ! symbol
and parameter (example !@b1).
Note: Instead of putting the @ symbol you may use the capital letter for the
corresponding On/Off signal or event that is @b1 B1 and !@b1 !B1.
The an(m), bn(m) functions are used to look at m seconds before or after the present
moment where m is any number of seconds including negative and fractional values. The
example (Figure 12.18) shows the possible way to calculate vertical speed trough radio
altitude derivation on 4 seconds base.
Figure 12.18
The functions t0 (bn), tk (bn) and t^ (bn) retrieve the recovered values of the
beginning, end and duration of the last realization of the bn event. If "#" symbol is placed
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instead of bn then the retrieved value belongs to the last realization of the current event i.e. to
the event which condition contains these functions. It must be clear that these functions work
only with the events which registration (generation) had been finished before the current
time moment. The retrieved values are denoted in seconds of relative time and depend on the
express-analysis run-time settings that are specified in the elements of the Time delay, sec
field (Figure 12.17).
The following basic definitions are entered by the express-analysis technology:
1. Time of the event beginning
Teb=Trb-T0;
where Teb recovered time of the event registration beginning

Trb time of the event registration beginning
T0 delay of the event registration beginning
2. Time of the event end
Tee=Tre-Tk;
where Tee recovered time of the event registration end

Tre time of the event registration end
Tk delay of the event registration end
The T0 and Tk values are specified in the corresponding fields (Figure 12.17). The
meaning of those values is that the condition of the event registration must be constantly true
for at least T0 seconds in order the event starts to register. In this case the recovered time is
the time when condition actually became true. If the equation contains the explicit event
termination condition (after "\" or "|" symbols) it should be constantly false during those T0
seconds.
Similarly, condition of the event registration must be constantly false for at least Tk
seconds in order the event stops to register. The recovered time is the time when condition
actually became false. If the equation contains the explicit event termination condition (after
"\" or "|" symbols) it should be constantly false during those Tk seconds.
The described technology is usually used to eliminate influence of registration
failures onto the event generation. Catalog with express analysis algorithms contains usually
the default values of the delays (for IL-96 these values are 4 seconds each). The values may
be changed for the particular algorithm. For example, exceeding the maximum operational
angle of attack value must be monitored with the delays no more than 1 second.
If the Not recov switch is checked (Figure 12.17) the time of event beginning and
end will not be recovered i.e. Teb=Trb and Tee=Tre.
Important: after the program reveals that conditions of any event become true it sets
the flag but registration of the event does not start immediately. If conditions are constantly
true for T0 seconds then registration starts and, if necessary, the actual time of the event
beginning is recovered. However, because express analysis is implemented in one pass (the
program does not come back to check any conditions) the result of the time recovering may
not be used in other algorithms which use the current event as an argument. That is, if the T0
value for the S1 event is 120 seconds then the event will exist only after 120 seconds elapse
from the instant when the conditions became true. However, registration time will be
recovered when the event is plotted behindhand or added to the express-analysis results. If
the Not recov switch is checked then the event will be plotted from the moment of the
actualization (in our example 120 seconds after conditions became true). Thus, to achieve the
maximum obviousness of the express analysis results, it is recommended to recover the time
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for the messages whereas recovering the time for readinesses and tokens makes it sometimes
difficult to analyze correctness of the event registration.
An example of using the t^ (bn) function is shown on Figure 12.19. The event is
registered if an engine had contingency rating for more than 900 but less than 3600 seconds
and at the current time the engine does not have contingency rating.
Figure 12.19
Sometimes it is necessary to add additional delay of the moment of event
registration beginning. For example, the On/Off signal that monitors pressing of the gears
retraction button is registered on the aircraft. The On/Off signal is registered only when the
button is actually pressed whereas the full circle of gears retraction may be sufficiently longer,
for example 15 seconds. In this case, the readiness of gears retracted position must be set 15
seconds later the moment the button was pressed when it is already released and no On/Off
signal is being registered. To solve this problem the program provides the ability to enter
duration of additional delays. The appropriate value has to be specified in the field ^T (Figure
12.20) and the way it is implemented (to the beginning or to the end of the event registration
interval) is selected with the help of the drop down list of the Time delay, sec field. The
values of the fields for the considered example with the gears retraction are shown on Figure
12.20. If you use additional delays you have to take into consideration that their values have
to be more then ones specified in the fields T0 and Tk correspondingly. Otherwise, it makes
no practical sense to specify these delays.
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Figure 12.20
If the min duration item is selected in the list and the value of the ^T field is not
zero then after the event is closed the program compares the actual event duration with the
specified value. The event will not be registered if the actual duration is less than specified
value.
The t (bn) function retrieves the recovered value of time elapsed from the beginning
of the bn event registration. If the event is not being registered at the current moment then the
retrieved value will be zero. If time recovering procedure has to be implemented then the
retrieved value will change abruptly from 0 up to the T0 value at the time recovering moment.
The t(#) and dt functions retrieve the recovered value of time elapsed from the
beginning of the current event registration. If the event is not being registered at the current
moment then the retrieved value will be zero. If time recovering procedure has to be
implemented then the retrieved value will change abruptly from 0 up to the T0 value at the
time recovering moment.
The n (bn) and g (bn) functions retrieve the number of realizations of the bn event
and the total duration of all the realizations of the bn event including being currently
registered if any. The number of registered events is incremented at the moment when event
registration stops. If "#" symbol is placed instead of bn then the retrieved values belong to
the current event i.e. to the event which condition contains these functions.
An example of comprehensive using of different functions is shown on Figure
12.21. The event will be registered if the following conditions will be true at the same time:
Token of engine contingency rating will appear (ok(b1));
This engine had already had contingency rating during this flight (n(b1) > 0);
The duration of the previous contingency rating mode was more then 360
seconds ((tk(b1)-t0(b1)) > 360);
The duration of pause between two contingency rating modes was less then
300 seconds ((t-dt-tk(b1)) < 300);
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Figure 12.21
Figures 12.19 and 12.21 show the way how time boundaries modifiers may be used.
These modifiers are used only for the purpose of moving the boundaries of the events while
plotting them and do not affect the conditions of the event registration. Modifiers are written
in the square brackets ([]) after the main equation. Modifiers are usually used when the ok
(bn) and no (bn) functions are present in the equation. Using these function results in the
condition becomes true only in one point (time instant). So, the duration of the event on the
confirmation plots and in the report on the results will be only one frame that sometimes does
not correspond to the physical meaning of the event. For example, while monitoring the event
that has to be registered when the height of marker beacon passing is more/less then
prescribed (Figure 12.23) or when the duration of the engine's contingency rating exceeds
limits (Figure 12.19), the registration (plotting) of the event should be done during the whole
interval of beacon passing or engine working. Use the [b1<,b1>] modifier to achieve desired
results. This modifier moves the left and right boundaries of the event to the left and right
boundaries of the corresponding b1 event or On/Off signal. If more then one On/Off signal or
event are used in the equation then modifiers like [b2<,b1>] or [b1<,b2>] may be used.
Another example of the event which requires events boundaries to be moved is
shown on the Figure 12.21. In this case the event (if any) should be registered on the interval
between two engine's contingency rating modes. To move the registration interval as
mentioned the [b1>,b1*] modifier is used. In this case, the left boundary is moved to the end
of one engine's contingency rating mode and the right boundary is moved to the beginning of
the next (if any) engine's contingency rating mode.
The dm (bn) function retrieves the value of the analog parameter dm (m=1..4) that
was saved in the data structure of the last realization of the event bn (n=1..8). If "#" symbol
is placed instead of bn then the retrieved value belongs to the last realization of the current
event i.e. to the event which condition contains these functions. The values of the maximum
four analog parameters may be associated with each registered event. The value of an analog
parameter is saved in case one of the special symbols (see table below) is specified over the
parameters' short name. The symbols will enumerates by left clicking.
+ The maximum value of the parameter on the interval of event
registration
- The minimum value of the parameter on the interval of event
registration
< The value of the parameter at the moment of the event registration
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beginning
> The value of the parameter at the moment of the event registration
end
m The median of the values of the parameter on the interval of event
registration
o The mathematical average of the parameter in engineering units on
the interval of event registration
s The standard deviation of the parameter in engineering units on the
interval of event registration
~ Value of a time integral of a parameter on the event realization
interval
Note: If the box located just above the A symbol is checked then the text file will be
created in the TXT subfolder of the programs main folder after express-analysis is
completed. The name of the file will correspond to events unique number. This file will
contain time instants of the beginning and stop of each realization of the event as well as the
values of the associated parameters.
To save the value of the parameter even if it is not an argument in the equation just
add its short name to the A line and select one of the above mentioned symbols. The symbols
are enumerated after each left mouse click on the filed that contains the number of the
appropriate column. Right click on the desired column to remove any symbol.
This procedure may be used for example to monitor the height while passing the
marker beacons as it is shown on the Figures 12.22 and 12.23. The program saves the values
of radio altitude on the left and right boundaries while generating the token of marker beacon
passing (Figure 12.22). These values are subsequently used for calculations of the average
height while passing the beacon and to monitor deviations (Figure 12.23).
Figure 12.22
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Express-analysis
Figure 12.23
Important: If one of the following symbols is selected "+", "-", "s", "o", the
program provides the ability to perform failure filtering with the help of the standard
algorithm. To apply filtering you have to display the Select parameter window once again
(left double click on the desired field) after one of the symbols is selected and specify the
threshold for filtering (Figure 12.24). This value has to be specified in engineering units. The
threshold is selected based on the a priori knowledge and depends on the possible (from the
physical point of view) rate of the parameters value changing. Filtering is implemented for
each sample of the parameter. The value is considered to be a failure and eliminated from
further processing if it differs from the values registered right before and after it more then
on the specified threshold and those two values differ from each other less then on double
threshold.
Figure 12.24
It should be also noted that saved parameters will be displayed in the window with
express analysis results (field Parameter) after the corresponding event is selected.
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Express-analysis
The hm (bn) function retrieves the value of the analog parameter hm (m=1..4),
saved at the moment of the beginning of the last realization of the event bn (n=1..8). If "#"
symbol is placed instead of bn then the retrieved value belongs to the last realization of the
current event i.e. to the event whose condition contains these functions. This function is
usually used to determine the intervals of steady-state value of some parameters. The function
works as follows: before the condition comes true for the first time the function saves the
values of the parameters that are added to the A line. The values will be "frozen" at the
moment when the condition comes true for the first time. They will stay constant until the
event registration is finished. Comparing the frozen values with the current ones let you trace
the steady-state value intervals of the parameters. An example on Figure 12.25 shows the way
of determining the level flight (altitude is constant) without vertical speed registration.
Figure 12.25
The a(x,y) function retrieves an integer unsigned value defined as a value of the
word of length y-bits that is taken with offset x-bits from current frame beginning and with
low significant bit value of 1. Number of bits that defines offset is countered from the
beginning of the current frame and may be both positive and negative. This function is usually
used to output parameters in codes or to determine the value of the counters. The figure 12.26
shows an example of determining the number of the current superframe depending on the
order number of the current frame inside the superframe for Boeing 767-3 aircraft.
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Express-analysis
Figure 12.26
The program supports "on-the-fly" syntax checking mode. The current equation will
be displayed in blue color if the program is able to interpret it and in red color otherwise.
There is the second way to check the syntax of the current equation. Just press F2
button while cursor is located on the equation field. The window with full algorithm
decryption will be popped up if everything is correct. Error message will be shown otherwise.
Generally, the program checks all the equations for syntax errors after the OK
button is pressed in the Header editor window. If the program finds an error the appropriate
warning will be displayed. This warning will contain the unique number (ID) of the event that
has an error.
By default, the values of all the parameters used in equations are calculated one time
per frame at the frame beginning (address number 0). The linear interpolation is used for
calculations. Left click on the caption of the A or B lines to change in a circle the "-" symbol
on the "+" symbol and further on the # symbol. If the "+" symbol is set then the values of
the parameter will be calculated at the time moments when the first parameter in the A line is
registered. If both lines (A and B) have the "+" sign then the values will be calculated at both
first analog parameter and first On/Off signal (event) registration moments. If the "#" symbol
is set in A or B line or in both lines then the values of the parameter will be calculated at all
the time moments when all the selected analog parameters or On/Off signals or all of them are
registered.
After the event generation conditions are specified the type of the event and
confirmation parameters (chapter 12.4) must be set. The program defines 4 different types of
events:
Message (will be displayed in the report on the express analysis results);
Technological event (will not be displayed in the report on the express
analysis results, for information purposes only);
Regular information (is saved in the regular information database (chapter
12.9));
Endurance hours (is saved in the endurance hours database (chapter 12.10)).
Use the appropriate popup menu item to select the type of the event (Figure 12.27).
The popup menu appears after right clicking on the equation fields.
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Express-analysis
Figure 12.27
Depending on the selected type the event will be placed on the appropriate sheet on
the Express-analysis page of the Header editor window (Figure 12.28). Use the appropriate
switch to display the desired sheet.
Figure 12.28
If the type Message is selected the user has the ability to place the event onto the
one of the given sheets. The amount and names of the sheets are defined by the express-
analysis designer either manually in the Group editor window (Figure 12.29) that appears
after right clicking of the name of any sheet in the bottom part of the Express-analysis page
(Figure 12.28) or automatically after adding the appropriate lines into the file that contains
express-analysis algorithms (chapter 12.8).
Figure 12.29
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Express-analysis
To move the event onto the desired sheet just drag it with the left mouse button
keeping the Ctrl key pressed and drop on the name of the sheet. You are also able to specify
the number of the sheet in the file that contains express-analysis algorithms (chapter 12.8).
Also on the Express-Analysis page (Figure 12.28) of the Header Editor window in
the Stage of flight field you may specify the short name of a parameter that contains this
information. This parameter must contain an equation which results in a numeric value which
corresponds to the table below.
Stage of flight Meaning
1 Before takeoff
2 Takeoff
3 Enroute
4 Climb
5 Descent
6 Approach
7 Landing
8 After landing
If the shortname is specified a numeric definition of the flight stage will be
automatically saved in a file which is created for exporting data into the database for express-
analysis results analysis (as it was mentioned above this is a separate program with its own
users manual).
12.8. Export, import and deleting the express-analysis algorithms
The mentioned operations would be implemented after selecting the appropriate
item from the popup menu (Figure 12.30) that appears after right clicking on the main field of
the Express-analysis page of the Header editor window (Figure 12.28).
Figure 12.30
If the algorithms are being inserted in the header that already contains some
algorithms they will be deleted at first and then the new ones will be inserted. The criteria that
the program uses to determine does the parameter belong to the express-analysis or not is that
the value of the unique number (ID) is more than 8000 and the type of the parameter is
algorithm interpreter or express-analysis event.
The file that contains express-analysis algorithms has a simple ASCII format and
consists of a header and algorithms. The fields of the file are delimited by the tab symbol.
An example of the file header that corresponds to Figure 12.28 is shown below.
WinArm32 1.9 mi171.stn 0 0
Stages of flight
Pilot's action monitoring
Systems monitoring
------------------
The first line contains the name and the version number of the program as well as the
name of the file (without extension) and the path to it from the program's main folder
(WinArm32 folder).The program uses this name to create the names of the standard tasks file
(extension stn) and comments file (extension fom) which are used for express-analysis events
confirmation and explanation (see chapter 12.4). The last two values define buffer depth for
analog parameters and On/Off signals calculation (chapter 12.12.2).
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The names of the sheets for the events of the Message type are written in the next
lines (Figure 12.28). Each page has two corresponding lines in the file that contain the name
of this page in Russian and English languages. The header is terminated by the line that
contains - (minus) symbol in the first position.
The header is followed by the data structures, their amount of fields depending on the
type of the described parameter. The file may contain the parameters of the following types:
Analog parameter of the algorithm interpreter type;
On/Off signal of the algorithm interpreter type;
Express-analysis event.
Analog parameter of the algorithm interpreter type
The data structure will have the following fields:
8001 V .max
A Vias_max Maximum allowed IAS
0 [--] A1(101)
/ (a1 < 1000)*250 + ((a1 < 3000) & (a1 >= 1000))*(210+(3000-a1)/50) +
km/h ((a1 < 5000) & (a1 >= 3000))*(130+(5000-a1)/25) + (a1 >= 5000)*(100+(6000-
a1)*3/100)
The Parameter page for this example is shown on the Figure 12.31.
Figure 12.31
The first column contains the unique number of the parameter, symbol "A" that
identifies the type of the parameter as analog and number of decimals. The fields of the fourth
and fifth lines are reserved for future use and must be left empty.
The second column contains the short names of the parameter in the Russian and
English languages in the first and second lines correspondingly. The third line contains the
tokens (in the square brackets) that show if the current parameter should be read out at the
registration instants (samples) of the analog parameter and/or On/Off signal that is the first in
the list. Put the + token if you need to implement this, put the - otherwise (see also
chapter 9.2.2.4). Put the # token in the appropriate line if the target parameter has to be read
out at the registration instants of all selected analog parameters and/or On/Off signals. The
fourth and fifth lines contain the unit of the parameter in the Russian and English languages.
The third column contains the names of the parameter in the Russian and English
languages in the first and second lines correspondingly. The third line contains the symbols
and unique numbers of the parameters selected in lines A and B. Each pair of values is
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Express-analysis
separated by the space. The fourth and fifth lines contain the equation that defines the value of
the parameter.
On/Off signal of the algorithm interpreter type
8062 L .
B Lcon1 Left engine has contingency rating
[--] A1(8015) A2(8005) A3(794) B1(3862)
[(a1 > a2) v (a3 > 955)] & b1
The Parameter page for this example is shown on Figure 12.32.
Figure 12.32
The first column contains the unique number of the parameter and symbol "B" that
identifies the type of the parameter as On/Off signal. The fields of the third and fourth lines
are reserved for future using and must be left empty.
the list. Put the + token if you need to implement this, put the - otherwise (see also
chapter 9.2.2.4). Put the # token in the appropriate line if the target parameter has to be read
out at the registration instants of all selected analog parameters and/or On/Off signals. The
fourth line is reserved for future use and must be left empty.
The third column contains the names of the parameter in the Russian and English
and unique numbers of the parameters selected in the lines A and B. Each pair of values is
separated by the space. The fourth line contains the equation that defines the value of the
parameter.
Express-analysis event
8379 S79
0/1 S79 Rate of collective pitch increasing is more than allowed

0/0 [+- -] A1(655)+ B1(8114)
50/50 1 b1 & (a1(1) > a1) & (a1(2) > a1(1)) & (a1(2)-a1) > 4
0/2
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The Parameter page for this example is shown on the Figure 12.33.
Figure 12.33
The first column contains the unique number of the parameter in the first line. The
second line contains the numbers of page and sheet where the current event will be placed.
The numeration of pages and sheets starts from zero. In the given example the event will be
placed on the page Messages (number 0) and sheet Pilot's action monitoring (number 1)
(Figure 12.34). The third line contains the values of the fields T0 and Tk. The fourth line
contains the values of the fields T<= and T=>. The fifth line contains the value of the field
^T and the order number (counting from zero) of the line selected in the Time delay ^T list.
Figure 12.34
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Express-analysis
the list (first and second symbol). Put the + token if you need to implement this, put the -
otherwise (see also chapter 9.2.2.4). The third symbol tells the program if the time instants of
the event registration beginning and end should be recovered or not ("+" symbol means not
recovering). The fourth symbol shows if the event should be evaluated during the first pass
for two-pass express-analysis (chapter 12.11). The corresponding position (first and/or
second) may contain the # token if the target parameter has to be read out at the registration
instants of all selected analog parameters and/or On/Off signals. The fourth line contains an
order number of the standard task that is used for event confirmation. The fifth line is reserved
for future using and must be left empty.
The third column contains the names of the parameter in Russian and English
and unique numbers of the parameters selected in the lines A and B as well as if needed the
symbols that specify the type of the data that have to be saved in the event data structure.
Each pair of values is separated by the space. The fourth line contains the equation that
defines the value of the parameter. The fifth line is reserved for future using and must be left
empty.
It should be noted that using the Header editor interface is the best way to create
express-analysis algorithms from "zero". Direct file creation is not recommended. After
algorithms are created you may export them to the file, change this file to place the events on
the desired sheets and import them back into the program.
12.9. Features while creating events of Regular information type
For the standardization purposes only it is recommended to start the short name of
the event of regular information type with the letter R.
The point of this type of event is that some kind of information (not monitored by
the standard express analysis) is collected regularly (in several flights) in order to analyze the
quality of performing the flight in general and to conduct statistical researches. As an example
of this type of information the average deviation from the glide path or the elevator average
deviation from the trim position during climbing may be mentioned. The regular information
may be fixed in one point (for example the maximum IAS value during the whole flight) or
on the interval (for example the elevator average deviation from the trim position during
climbing).
To fix the values of some parameters at one point follow the procedure below:
1. Add the parameter which minimum or maximum value has to be fixed to the
A line at the first position.
2. Put the desired symbol ("+" or "-") in the caption of the first column and
display the Select parameter window once again if you need to specify the
filter threshold for failure filtering (chapter 12.7).
3. Add no more than three parameters which values have to be fixed along with
the value of the main parameter to the A line. The values of the additional
parameters will be fixed automatically. You do not need to put any symbols
in the column header.
4. Define the equation (condition) that specify the beginning and the end of the
desired time interval.
Figure 12.35 shows an example of how to tell the program to fix the maximum IAS
value during the whole flight of the Mil-171 helicopter. Figure 12.36 shows the result. The
values of pressure altitude, collective pitch and main rotor RPMs are fixed at the instant when
IAS reaches the maximum. The token of being in-flight specifies the time interval where the
program will look for the maximum IAS value. The selected line on Figure 12.36 contains the
results of the algorithm implementation. The maximum IAS value was 182 km/h. The
Parameter field located in the right part of the window contains the values of the additional
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Express-analysis
parameters at the moment when the maximum IAS value was reached. The blue mark below
the flight profile shows the instant when the maximum IAS value was reached.
Figure 12.35
Figure 12.36
To fix the statistical data of the parameter on the selected interval the following
procedure has to be followed:
1. Add the parameter which statistical data has to be fixed to the A line at the
first position.
2. Put the desired symbol ("o" "s") in the caption of the first column and
display the Select parameter window once again if you need to specify the
filter threshold for failure filtering (chapter 12.7).
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Express-analysis
3. Add no more than three parameters for which statistical data have to be fixed
along with the data of the main parameter to the A line. Set the desired
symbols ("m", "o" or "s") for those parameters.
4. Define the equation (condition) that specify the beginning and the end of the
desired time interval.
Note: If the value of the parameter is fixed at one point the values of the other
(additional) target parameters are fixed at the same point. Parameters with the installed "o"
or "s" symbols will be ignored. On the other hand, while fixing statistical data only
parameters that have "m", "o" or "s" symbols will be taken into account as additional ones.
Figure 12.37 and Figure 12.38 show an example of estimation of average elevator
position (average of distribution) and standard deviation from this position during climbing
from 50 up to 200 meters. The average value of the elevator position on the mentioned
interval is 4.5 degrees while the standard deviation is 0.7 degrees.
Figure 12.37
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Express-analysis
Figure 12.38
At the end of this chapter it should be noted that the events of the regular
information type could not be deleted and are printed in the express-analysis report along
with the messages after clicking the Print button (Figure 12.38).
12.10. Features while creating events of Endurance hours type
For the standardization purposes only it is recommended to start the short name of
the event of endurance hours type with the letter F.
The point of this type of event is to collect information about endurance hours of the
aircraft and its systems during the flight. The result of the algorithm implementation will be
either the total length of all the events (for example the duration of engine's take off rating
modes) or the total amount of the particular event.
Figures 12.39, 12.40 and 12.41 show an example of calculating the total length of
the left engine idle modes and the amount of left engine starting. The predefined tokens that
define engine's idle mode and engine starting are used as arguments. The function that
calculates the total duration of the events (g(bn)) and the function that counts the number of
realizations of the event (n(bn)) are used to collect the endurance hours information. The
description of these functions is given in the chapter 12.7.
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Express-analysis
Figure 12.39
Figure 12.40
218
Express-analysis
Figure 12.41
At the end of this chapter it should be noted that the events of the endurance hours
type could not be deleted and are printed in the express-analysis report along with the
messages after clicking the Print button (Figure 12.41).
12.11. Features of two-pass express-analysis implementation
The previous chapters describe the implementation of the classic one-pass express-
analysis. Using this approach the program does not come back (to the beginning of the flight)
to check conditions or fix values of the parameters. This feature along with the necessity of
setting delays of the event registration beginning and end (chapter 12.7), results in the fact
that some parts of the flight may not be processed by express-analysis.
To remove the mentioned above and some other deficiencies as well as to optimize
algorithms performance the two-pass express-analysis was implemented. The main idea of
this approach is that during the first pass all the tokens and readinesses may be defined as well
as the values of some parameters may be saved (for example pressure altitude of the
aerodrome of departure). Those values will be used in equations during the second pass. Thus,
there is no need to specify these values in the passport of the flight. Additionally, the two-pass
express-analysis provides the ability to amend the algorithms of the event generation because
during the second pass the program "knows" about all the stages of the flight and may use the
values of some parameters that were saved during the first pass.
The event will be generated during the first pass if the 1-st pass box of the
Additionally field on the Parameter page of the Header editor window is checked (Figure
12.42). The program automatically selects the two-pass algorithm if the mentioned box is
checked at least for one of the events.
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Express-analysis
Figure 12.42
The Express-analysis page will change to the view shown on Figure 12.43. Put the
switch to the appropriate filed to see the events that are generated during the first or second
passes.
Figure 12.43
The only difference of the two-pass algorithm is that the events that were generated
during the first pass are treated as On/Off signals during the second pass. Thus, the ok(bn)
and no(bn) functions may not be used with those parameters. All other functions and
operators, including values retrieving function dm (bn), may be used without limitations.
You also have to understand that events that happened during the first pass exist
during the second pass only on the same time interval as in the first pass but not from the
second pass beginning. For example, if the takeoff run token was registered from 01:05:00 till
01:06:00 during the first pass then, during the second pass, the existence check of this event
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Express-analysis
will return true value on the same time interval only. But, retrieving the number of the event
realizations (n(b1)) will count all the 1-st pass events starting from the second pass beginning.
That is, for our example, the check for the takeoff run event realization (n(b1)>0) may be
done at the beginning of the second pass and, depending on the result, express-analysis may
be stopped or continued.
One more special feature of the t0 (bn) and tk (bn) functions usage concerning the
first pass is that during the second pass these functions are determined (feed back correct
values) only on those intervals where the argument event existed during the first pass. Thus,
use of these functions must always be confirmed by existence check of such argument events
(for example B1 & t0(b1)>5).
Example of two-pass algorithm using is shown on Figure 12.44 and Figure 12.45.
The token of aircraft being in the air is generated during the first pass. The values of the
pressure altitude at the departure and destination aerodromes as well as landing heading are
saved in the data structure associated with this event. The saved value of the departure
aerodrome pressure is used during the second pass to check some conditions.
Figure 12.44
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Express-analysis
Figure 12.45
12.12. Express-analysis debug mode
This feature may be used only if you have full access to the express-analysis
algorithms. Toggling this mode from on to off and vice versa is done with the help of
Tasks/Express-Analysis/EA debug mode menu item.
The user may use the following additional functions with the debug mode switched
on:
save and insert express-analysis algorithms automatically;
monitor time used for every particular event calculation.
12.12.1. Saving/inserting algorithms
Every time you press the OK button on the Header editor window the program will
invite you to save the current algorithms to the special file of binary format. The name and
location of this file are determined by the Add files field of the Common data page (Figure
12.2). This file has alg extension.
If the mentioned file exists then, while opening a data file of any type (hdr or arm)
which have the same value of the Add files field, the program will ask you whether you want
to insert algorithms or not.
12.12.2. Performance time monitoring. Buffer depth settings
Select the Tasks/Express-analysis/Processing time menu item or press Alt+F9
keys to display the window shown on the Figure 12.46. This window helps you to monitor the
time that was spent on calculation of every particular event.
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Express-analysis
Figure 12.46
The total duration of the express-analysis execution is shown in the caption of the
window. The histogram shows the time intervals in percent that were spent on calculation of
the particular event. Each event is represented by the circle. Left click on the desired circle to
display event details. The name and the equation of the selected event are shown in the top
and bottom parts of the window correspondingly. Press the OK button to edit the selected
event using the Header editor window. Press the Cancel button to return to viewing the
graphs.
You may try to decrease the total time of express-analysis execution by setting the
buffer depth values. The buffers are set up separately for the analog parameters and On/Off
signals. Move the appropriate sliders on the Common data page of the Header editor
window (Figure 12.2) to change the depth of the buffer. Moving the slider to the right
increases the buffer depth. It means that the righter is the slider the more parameters values
will be saved in the buffer. While calculating the value of any parameter, at first, the program
seeks the buffer for the value of the desired parameter at the given time moment, and, if finds,
do not waste the time to retrieve it from the data file. However, if the program does not find
the desired value in the buffer the total execution time increases on duration of the buffer
reading. The optimal value for the buffer depth (minimum duration of express-analysis
execution) may be selected only tentatively.
12.13. Particular cases of events calculation
Sometimes, the presence or absence of an event for the particular aircraft depends on
whether the particular analog parameter (on/off signal) exists in the FDR ciclogram or not and
this information is not accessible at the developing time. The program provides the following
procedure to solve this problem:
event generation algorithm contains the unique number of the parameter (ID)
according to the general list of the parameters;
after attaching the algorithm to the particular header file the program looks
for the parameter with the given ID number and, if it finds them, calculates
the event.
You have to click the Param. list button in the Select parameter window (Figure
12.47) to select the parameter by ID from the Parameters list window (Figure 12.48).
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Express-analysis
Figure 12.47
Figure 12.48
If the parameter with the selected ID is absent in the current header then the
Parameter page will look like it is shown on Figure 12.49. The equation will be displayed in
red color to show an interpretation error. In this case you may place the event on the Not used
page using the appropriate popup menu item (Figure 12.50).
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Express-analysis
If the parameter with the selected ID is present in the current header then the
ID=xxxx expression will be changed on the short name of the corresponding parameter. The
event may be used without any limitations.
Figure 12.49
Figure 12.50
225
Menu items description
13. QUICK HELP ON MENU ITEMS, HOT KEYS AND CONTROL
BUTTONS
13.1. The main menu
File
Open Displays the standard Windows Open dialog.
Close Closes the current file.
Print settings Displays Print settings dialog box.
Print Prints the plot to the selected printer or into the file
(enabled in Plot for printing mode only).
Identification data Displays the service information registered on the given
type of FDR
Password Specifying users login, password and access type.
Encryption Encrypting data files
Close window (WinArm 1.8 Closes the current window and saves the file in 1.8
file format) format.
Close window (WinArm 1.9 Closes the current window and saves the file in 1.9
file format) format.
Exits Finishes the work with the program.
Settings
Select parameters Displays the Select parameters dialog box.
Font Program font selection.
X-axis properties Displays the X-axis properties dialog box.
Default settings Returning to the default settings
Header editorF2 Displays the Header editor window.
Standard tasks Displays the window to work with standard tasks.
Graphic forms Displays the window to work with graphic forms.
Data sharing
Change header Changes the header in the current data file.
Auto header replacementt If checked warns the program that the header in the
current file must be changed to the header with the
aircraft registration number from the HDR folder
Save header Saves the header from the current data file as a separate
file with the hdr extension.
Save data Saves the data from the current file as a file of the
standard format.
Text labels Import and export of the text labels from and into a text
Import file.
Export
Table of parameters Saves the values of the displayed parameters in a text file.
226
Save the stream to the Saves the parameters displayed on the screen into the
clipboard programs clipboard (to insert as an additional stream
afterwards).
Additional data streams Opens the additional data stream window.
UDP data exchage If checked allows data sharing with third party programs
via UDP protocol
Tasks
Flight path calculation Calculates the flight path in horizontal and vertical planes
Into a new project
Into an existing
project
Express-analysis
Run Runs express-analysis between the moving cursors.
Open Opens existing express-analysis results.
Max. time interval Runs express-analysis on the whole file regardless of
the position of the moving cursors.
Debug mode Switches debug mode on/off
Processing time Monitors duration of EA execution
EA database Opens express-analysis database. This item appears only

if the database is installed.
Nav database Displays the information about navigation database. This
Full item appears only if the database is installed.
Local
Statistics Displays statistical data of parameter show on the screen
Integration Displays Integration window
Window The standard functions of the Windows that organize

the windows
Help
WinArm32 help Opens the help file
Users manual Opens the users manual
About Program information
13.2. Control button of the programs main window in the Plot for
analysis mode
Opens WinArm32 database window.
o Data files.
o Header files.
o Flight path files.
227
Save the current data file with a new name.
o Header saving in a separate file.
o Data saving in a file of the standard format.
Output the plot.
o Plot for analysis.
o Plot for printing.
Selects the parameters to be displayed.
Prints the graph (disabled in the Graph for analysis

mode).
Switches to the real size (label setting) mode (disabled in

the Graph for analysis mode).
Switches to the failure setting and removing mode.
Scrolls the graph to the left.
Scrolls the graph to the right.
Switches to the previous time interval.
Switches to the next time interval.
Increases time interval.
Decreases time interval.
Toggles active cursor.
Sets the maximum time interval.
228
Adjusts scales of all the parameters automatically.
Moves cursors to the boundaries of the graph field.
Shows/hides measuring instants:

o For analog parameters.
o For On/Off signals.
o Switch off interpolation (leveled graph).
Switches between codes and engineering units.
Arranges windows as cascade.
Arranges windows horizontally.
Arranges windows vertically.
13.3. Hot keys in the plot viewing window

Esc Stops the current operation (plots drawing, express-analysis
running (etc).
Ctrl Shows distance in km between the moving cursors on the
indicator field
Shift Displays the parameter values in the system cursor position
F1 Opens help file.
F2 Opens the Header editor window.
Shift+F2 Opens the Identification data window.
Ctrl+F2 Opens the Passport window.
F3 Opens the Scale changing by template window.
F4 Toggles the activeness between moving cursors.
F6 Inverts the background color.

F7 Inverts the color of all the parameters displayed on the screen.
F8 Selects the color of active parameter.
F9 Runs express-analysis.
Shift+F9 Opens the express-analysis results.
229
F10 Sets up the relative time value even to the registered value at
the active cursor position.
Ctrl+F10 Fills in Date and Flight passport fields automatically.
F11 Sorts flights using identification data.
F12 Cuts a portion of the data between the moving cursors.

Ctrl+F12 Transforms information sequence in the data file.
Tab Toggles the activeness between moving cursors.
Starts the listening from the beginning if pressed during

sound audition.
Ctrl+Tab Changes the active window (if several windows are open).
Insert Inserts a text label.
In failures insert/removing mode inserts frame failure

mark on all the frames between the moving cursors.
Delete Removes the active parameter from the screen (but not
from the header).
In failures insert/removing mode deletes frame failure

mark from all the frames between the moving cursors.
PageUp, PageDn In the Plot for analysis mode changes the scale of
the active parameter.
In the Plot for printing mode changes the scale of

the active parameter or of the grid of the active
parameter (depending on systems cursor position).
These keys do not work while viewing raw values

(codes) of the parameters.
Up,Dn (arrows up and In the Plot for analysis mode moves the graph of
down) the active parameter on 1/15 from the height of the
parameters window. If Ctrl is pressed toggles selection
between the displayed parameters.
In the Plot for printing mode moves the graph of
230
the active parameter or its scale (depending on
systems cursor position). If Ctrl is pressed both the
graph and the scale will be moved.
These keys do not work while viewing raw values

(codes) of the parameters.
Left, Right (arrows left Moves the active cursor on one frame.
and right)
If Ctrl is pressed moves the active cursor along the
samples of the active parameter.
If Alt is pressed shifts the view interval
Enter Displays the data on the screen changing the viewing
interval (the interval selected by the moving cursors
will be displayed on the whole screen).
If the Shift key is pressed toggles between the Plot
for analysis and Plot for printing modes.
If the Ctrl key is pressed displays the information

without failure marks installed.
Space Displays the data on the screen without changing the
viewing interval and moving cursors positions.
If the Shift key is pressed - toggles between the Plot
for analysis and Plot for printing modes.
If the Ctrl key is pressed - displays the information

without failure marks installed and without changing
the viewing interval.
If a parameter of the sound stream type is active
starts the listening from the active cursor position. If
listening is already in progress moves the beginning
of the listening interval to the current position or (is
text labels bound to the sound stream exist) to the next
label.
Space+Tab Toggles between the Plot for analysis and Plot for printing
modes.
D Deletes the information frame at the active cursor position.
D+Shift Deletes all the information frames between the moving
231
cursors.
G Performs quick glideslope calculation.
I+Shift(right) Inserts an empty frame after the frame at the active cursor
position.
I+Shift(left) Inserts an empty frame before the frame at the active cursor
position.
I+Ctrl Displays the Integration window.
M+Ctrl Installs the markers passing and touchdown marks.
O Prints the data (in hex format) between the moving cursors into
text file hex.txt. Printing is done through WordPad.
O+Shift(right) Insets the frames from text file hex.txt after the frame at the
active cursor position.
O+Shift(left) Insets the frames from text file hex.txt before the frame at the
P Prints the data (in dec format) between the moving cursors into
text file dec.txt. Printing is done through WordPad.
P+Shift(right) Insets the frames from text file dec.txt after the frame at the
P+Shift(left) Insets the frames from text file dec.txt before the frame at the
Q Displays the graphs without interpolation (displays levels of
the parameters).
R+Shift Displays the Runway window.
S+Shift Displays statistical data of the parameters.
T Calculates the flight path with saving into a new project.
T+Shift Calculates the flight path with saving into the existing project.
W Applies the changes to the parameter of the sound stream type.
13.4. Control button of the programs main window in the flight path mode
Flight demonstration
Press for video recording

Time labels adding (removing)
Flight path printing
Table of parameters printing
If pressed transfers data to the MS FS
232
Switching on (off) the flight path editing mode
Customizing the flight path
Flight path parameters
Automatic coordination of the flight path
Scale increasing
Scale decreasing
Rotating the flight path to the left
Rotating the flight path to the right
Cascade
Tile horizontally
Tile vertically
13.5. Control button of the additional data streams window

Adds a new data stream
Insert a new .data stream from clipboard
Insert a new .data stream from a text file
Displays the data from the selected additional stream
Outputs graphs of all the parameters on the screen.
Outputs graphs of all the parameters into a text file.
Deletes the selected data stream
Fixes the selected data stream
Moves the beginning of the selected data stream to the

position of the active cursor
Moves the end of the selected data stream to the position of

the active cursor
233

Flight Information Analysis Ground Station "Winarm32™": Software (Version 1.9) User'S Manual

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FLIGHT INFORMATION ANALYSIS

GROUND STATION WinArm32

Part number: 643.29895162.00003-02 31 96

Version: 1.9.9, 01.11.2012.

Printed in Moscow, 2010.

1.2. For users of previous versions of WinArm32 11

2.2. Introducing WinArm32 13

2.3. Software contents 13

2.4. Components installed 13

2.5. Technical requirements 14

4. PROGRAM INSTALLATION AND REMOVING 17

4.2. Protection key driver installation 18

4.3. Update procedure 20

5. STARTING THE PROGRAM AND WORKING WITH FILES 22

5.2. Normal start of the program 22

5.3. Starting the program in client mode 23

5.4. Starting the program in server mode 23

5.5. Selecting the language 23

7. DATABASE WINDOW IN CLIENT MODE 26

8. DATABASE WINDOW IN SERVER MODE 32

8.2. Swa32.exe Server Mode 33

9.2. Analog parameter types 45

9.3. On/Off signals types 71

9.4. Sound stream type 74

9.5. Some features in defining the failure mark position 76

9.6. Data file creation 76

9.7. Calibration tables changing 93

9.8. Calibration table blank printing 95

10. FLIGHT INFORMATION PROCESSING 97

10.2. Customizing parameters appearance 108

10.3. Selecting the time interval 113

10.4. Time axis options 116

10.5. Reading the current values of the parameters 117

10.6. Information failures marking 118

10.7. Text labels setting and removing 120

10.8. Information frames adding and removing 122

10.9. Table of parameters creation 123

10.12. Identification data viewing 128

10.13. Working with parameters of Integral type 128

10.14. Working with parameters of Sound stream type 129

10.15. Additional data streams 132

10.16. Statistical analysis 137

10.17. Work with DAFIF Navigation Database 137

10.18. Working with METAR data 140

10.19. Data Encryption 143

10.20. Links to Other Applications 144

10.21. Flight path plotting in the Google Earth 144

10.22. Flight path review (using Google Maps) 146

11. FLIGHT PATH CALCULATION 149

11.2. Simple calculation performing 151

11.4. Calculation with the additional target points 165

11.5. Flight path printing 166

11.6. Flight demonstration 166

11.7. Saving the flight path into existing project 169

11.8. Terrain imitation 170

11.9. Glide path calculation 170

11.10. Viewing parameters versus distance 174

11.11. Adding charts 176

11.12. Flight path calculation using local runway database 178

11.13. Connection with Microsoft Flight Simulator 179

12. FLIGHT INFORMATION EXPRESS-ANALYSIS 184

12.2. Access levels to the express-analysis algorithms 184

12.5. Sorting express-analysis events 192