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At iAero, we're proud to showcase innovation and know-how “à la française” with the APIBOX. 

Our flight data recorder is French from design to manufacture and it stands out for its innovation, usefulness, reliability, certification and competitiveness!

The proof? The Apibox is now used all over the world, equipping more than 1,000 aircraft and helicopters on the civil market and in military schools. But that's not all!

The Apibox adventure began with the visionary confidence placed in us by the DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement, a department of the French Ministry of Defence) two decades ago. Since then, our success has continued to grow, thanks to our valued international customers on five continents. 

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to them.

All our efforts with Apibox are aimed at ensuring security and protecting economic interests, with precision, pragmatism and without taboos or pretension.

And we take immense pride in this accomplishment.

Fly safe,

François Vignon

Président d’iAero

The 2023 statistics for the number of general aviation accidents remained stable, as referenced in the French BEA's report for the 2023 financial year and the accompanying editorial by its director. However, beyond this relative stability since 2019, one critical point draws our attention: 95% of general aviation accidents in 2023 occurred on aircraft that are not required to carry an FDR (Flight Data Recorder).

This stable figure is concerning because it indicates no decrease in accidents. Why is this the case? Despite the high skill levels of all involved - manufacturers, maintenance workshops, training schools, and pilots - accidents still happen. What occurs during flight? And before takeoff? How much can be attributed to human factors? What pressures do demanding and restrictive regulations exert on us? Is there a lack of a safety culture in general aviation?

We are not here to pass judgment but to share these questions with you.

On the other hand, we can assert with confidence that having our flight data recorder on board an aircraft facilitates the immediate and factual understanding of mechanical problems and inappropriate pilot actions. This insight, combined with the ability to provide predictive maintenance alerts, makes it easier to take corrective action in both aircraft maintenance and piloting, before negative effects occur.

Prevention and analysis enhance safety.

As the Director of the BEA puts it, “Incident detection teaches safety lessons.”

While our technology cannot eliminate the risk factors associated with weather, traffic, and external obstacles, APIBOX will alert you to unintentional deviations, fatigue of parts or equipment, and emerging issues. When it comes to prevention, that's already crucial, don't you think?

May 2025 bring you all the conditions needed to fly safely. 

Your APIBOX guardian angel will be your best flying companion. 

(*) BEA = Bureau Enquêtes et Accidents. In the UK would it be the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau, AAIB. And in the USA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile (BEA*) primarily relies on the extraction and analysis of black box data following aircraft accidents. The Recorders and Avionic Systems Unit, headed by Pascal Herate, is made up of some fifteen specialist investigators dedicated to this task.

“When the aircraft involved in an accident is fitted with a flight recorder (also known as a ‘black box’), analysis of its data is one of the main entry points for the BEA's investigation. It guides the examinations to be carried out on the structural elements or systems recovered from the aircraft. It's an essential first step toward determining the facts,” explains Pascal Herate.

Any aircraft equipped with our flight data recorder retains data that can be judiciously used when needed. The APIBOX, designed for general aviation, respects ED 155 performance specifications. Although lighter, it allows for the recording of cockpit audio and essential parameters on the scale of a light aircraft, similar to the black boxes used in Airbus or Boeing. Its audio recordings and the fifty or so parameters** analyzed for light aircraft are often enough to guide our investigation, enabling us to adopt a process similar to that used for commercial aircraft,” Pascal adds.

APIBOX has been one of the ‘black boxes’ analyzed by the BEA since 2013. The BEA has studied around ten events using our recorder. Given the French design of the APIBOX, the BEA sometimes collaborates with foreign investigation offices. The most recent collaboration occurred in 2024 when an aircraft equipped with the APIBOX crashed in Indonesia. French investigators provided technical assistance to the Indonesian investigators, recovering the recorded data and carrying out an analysis together in the BEA laboratory.

“We advocate for the increased integration of APIBOX into aircraft, even though it is not required by regulation. The decision by manufacturers and operators to install it, is proactive and highly commendable. It's an excellent approach,” concludes Pascal Herate. “Access to flight data enables us to improve our understanding of the event, better guide our analyses, and ultimately draw safety lessons and make more relevant safety recommendations to enhance safety.”

(*) BEA: The equivalent in the UK is the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and in the USA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

(**): APIBOX has the capacity to record over 100 parameters of analogue, digital, audio or video flight data.

The video is embedded in the APIBOX debriefing software! Well... YOUR video to be precise. How does it work? 

Simply film the flight using a smartphone (or any other camera with GPS-log) from inside the aircraft cockpit or from the ground, and that's it! This video can be synchronised with the data recorded in the APIBOX and played back in the debriefing software using the GPS positioning, date and time data embedded in the video file!

Comfortably seated in front of your computer, you can open a window on the side of your screen and watch the flight unfold. You'll be able to see the parameters recorded simultaneously with the video. Not bad, is it?

This synchronization of real images and data greatly enhances the understanding and learning experience of flight. It provides a better awareness of reality. On the ground, the pilot becomes a more realistic spectator of their flight and gains a much better understanding of areas for improvement.

Moreover, video also aids in analyzing incidents or accidents when necessary.

Interested in a demo?

Just ask!

One of the great strengths of iAero is its diversity of profiles and skills. We invite you to meet one of the company's key personalities: Nicholas, iAero's embedded systems expert!

Nicholas excels in a variety of roles, from working on electronic boards and keeping up with future technology trends to developing new embedded software interfaces for the APIBOX. Nicholas is indispensable!

Nicholas fell into the world of computing and electronics at a very early age. 

After completing a DUT in Industrial and Electrical Engineering at Cachan (Val de Marne - France), he graduated as an engineer from ESIREM in Dijon (Côte-d'Or - France), specialising in embedded systems. It was a natural step for him to join iAero as a trainee, then on a professional training contract, before becoming a full-time employee. 10 great years developing the heart of the APIBOX reactor!

What drives him? The thrill of solving technical challenges. 

Why aerospace? Because it's an "exciting" environment. 

And why iAero? For the interest of the job, the diversity of the aircraft, the constant learning curve. Teamwork too, like with Gérald, General Manager and test pilot, with whom he learns by flying. And with François, the Chairman, who looks after the heart of the system himself. And Martin, the IT architect, who is responsible for project management, customer relations and part of the system design.

Case study: François, Martin and Nicholas tackled the ad hoc development of a lightweight APIBOX and its debriefing software for a helicopter operator. This dynamic trio was able adapted to the customer's needs and delivered the equipment in just 6 months including design, production and testing. 

Nicholas sees a bright future ahead. With many new developments on the horizon, he continues to study new technologies and computer languages to keep up to date.
Now in his thirties, Nicholas has mastered his field and continues to cultivate his spirit of technological conquest.

Thank you and hats off to Mr Geek!

"It all began 20 years ago at the Paris Air Show". Philippe Moniot, Chairman and CEO of Issoire Aviation, tells us about his trusting partnership with iAero.

“Issoire Aviation engages in a wide range of activities, from designing and producing aeronautical parts and high-performance composites to maintaining and repairing aeronautical structural assemblies and sub-assemblies. We also build certified all-carbon aircraft, the APM range (20, 30, 40) for general aviation, all fitted with APIBOX as standard,” explains Philippe Moniot, highlighting Issoire Aviation's diverse expertise.

For over 30 years, the company has partnered with some of the biggest names in civil and military aeronautics, including Airbus, Thales, and Safran. In collaboration with iAero, Issoire Aviation conducts flight test missions using the APM as a carrier aircraft to develop new systems, with Gérald Ducoin, Managing Director and test pilot, at the controls.

"Our relationship with iAero is based on trust and confidentiality", explains Philippe Moniot. "Our professional history began 20 years ago when we welcomed iAero, a newly-created company at the time, to our stand at the Paris Air Show. Since then, our partnership has grown around a shared vision based on technical, operational and economic efficiency", adds Philippe Moniot. 

"Our mutual understanding fosters a simple, loyal and balanced relationship, leading us together towards the success of our projects" concludes Philippe Moniot. 

Gérald Ducoin told us off the record that his very first meeting with Philippe Moniot took place even earlier, in 1997, still at Le Bourget. Gérald, a young pilot at the time, had landed at the Paris airport for the airshow and had been opportunely pulled to the car park by Issoire Aviation. 

And so it is that some wonderful stories come to life at the Paris Air Show. 

So, what will yours be like in June 2025?

iAero
12B route de Troyes
21121 Darois
Phone: +33 (0)3 80 73 60 26
info@iaero.fr
www.iaero.fr

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