APS History

Insight Plane
1986

World's First Flight Animation

We create the first-ever interactive 3D flight animation with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. The 'Risk of Collision' incident over the Atlantic Ocean is animated on a UNIX computer and is the genesis of RAPS (Recovery, Analysis and Presentation System).

Insight Plane
1989

Authorities choose RAPS

RAPS unique capabilities are such that it can recover data far beyond the capabilities of the recorder manufacturer replay systems (designed for routine airline playback). RAPS attracts the attention of the German military, German BFU, US NTSB, French BEA and Australian ATSB who began to use RAPS under an international cooperation agreement.
In the same year, AIR (Accident Investigation & Research) is formed largely supporting the legal community as expert witnesses for aircraft accident investigations.

Insight Plane
1991/1995

TSB/C and NRC pioneer independent animation tools

AIR commercializes its first animation tool developed in cooperation with the National Research Council of Canada in 1995.
Airbus sees RAPS for the first time in 1991 when the flight data recorder from the A320 accident in Bangalore India is brought to TSB/C. Airbus makes a formal request for RAPS, but TSB/C is not prepared to allow its use outside of government users.

Insight Plane
1997

FDC buys AIR

The UK-based Flight Data Company acquires AIR and begins to focus on airline FDM programs.
A proposal to commercialize RAPS is submitted to TSB/C.

Insight Plane
2002

Flightscape is born

TSB/C decides to accept the staff proposal for RAPS commercialization, and Flightscape is formed by TSB staff (Mike Poole and Bob Hoyle).
Flightscape ports the UNIX-based RAPS to Windows and rebrands it to Insight.
Air Canada selects the Flight Data Company FDC for their FDM program

APS Logo
2003

IATA chooses Flightscape

Flightscape launches the world's first FDM service.
IATA selects Flightscape to develop IATA FDX (Flight Data Exchange) Program.
Teledyne Controls buys the Flight Data Company with Steve Roberts and JS Theriault heading the flight data systems division.

AIRINC logo
2007

AIRINC is born & CAE buys Flightscape

Flightscape is acquired by CAE to 'close the loop' between accident investigation and training. Flightscape introduces the concept of simulator 'FOQA' to CAE.
At the same time, AIR founders (Steve and JS) leave Teledyne and form Applied Informatics & Research Inc. (AIRINC).

APS Logo
2009

Air Canada chooses AIRINC

Air Canada moves its FDM business to AIRINC.
Flightscape expands its investigation tools to include FDM capability.

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2011

Plane Sciences is born

The founders of Flightscape (Mike & Bob) form Plane Sciences to pursue the accident investigation community. Plane Sciences co-locates with AIRINC and begins collaborating.

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2017

CAE Transferred Insight FDA Suite and its customers to PS

CAE decides to novate all Insight customers (back) to Plane Sciences and provides PSI with all the source codes for Insight.

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2022

APS is born

After working together for 10+ years, AIRINC and Plane Sciences decide to formally operate as one cohesive company and form APS Aerospace (APS = AIRINC + Plane Sciences).