Definition
An onboard aircraft system that continuously collects, records, and transmits flight and engine data — including parameters such as altitude, airspeed, temperature, wind, and engine performance — to ground stations and operational users. On commercial transport aircraft, FDAMS data is one of the sources used to generate automated upper-air weather observations that feed forecast models.
Plain English
A system on the aircraft that automatically gathers data about the flight and the surrounding air, then sends it to people on the ground who use it for weather information and aircraft monitoring.
Context Anchor
Seen in upper-air observation discussions, where aircraft data helps describe weather conditions above the ground.
Derivation
The name describes its job: it acquires flight data from the aircraft's sensors and monitors that data in real time. 'Acquisition' here means gathering or capturing — the same sense as a sensor 'acquiring' a signal.
Why Pilots Care
The recorded data supports post-flight analysis, maintenance decisions, and safety investigations when needed.
Grounding Statement
As an aircraft climbs, cruises, or descends, FDAMS can help turn what the aircraft senses into useful weather information.
Intuition Check
FDAMS is not a cockpit display or a pilot checklist. It is a data-gathering system that supports weather observation and forecasting.
Example Sentence 1
Many of the wind and temperature reports used in upper-air forecasts come from airliners equipped with FDAMS.
Example Sentence 2
Maintenance crews reviewed the FDAMS output after the flight to check for any unusual readings.