GE Aerospace has announced a rapid increase in the number of commercial pilots using its innovative flight data monitoring app, FlightPulse, with user numbers climbing from 40,000 last year to over 60,000 currently. The aerospace giant projects that figure will exceed 70,000 by the end of the year, underscoring the growing adoption of data-driven tools in aviation safety and efficiency. The app, the only commercially used pilot performance tool of its kind, allows aviators to assess their flying techniques against various metrics and benchmark them with peers. Airlines pay a per-pilot subscription fee, strengthening GE Aerospace’s reputation for advancing operational safety and fuel efficiency among its global airline customers.
Qantas Captain Mark Cameron, who also serves as Executive Manager for Group Safety at the Qantas Group, described FlightPulse as instrumental in helping pilots adjust to new aircraft. Having recently transitioned from the Airbus A330 to the smaller A321, Cameron explained that the app helps him monitor crucial details like landing angles to prevent tail strikes. “FlightPulse tells me what my attitude was on every landing,” he said, highlighting the app’s role in fine-tuning pilot awareness and skill. Qantas leverages data from its entire pool of pilots through the app to improve safety and optimize fuel use, demonstrating the system’s broader organizational benefits.
Since partnering with GE Aerospace in 2017 to launch FlightPulse, Qantas has implemented the technology to enhance flight operations, including developing best practices for fuel conservation. For instance, the airline now encourages pilots to reduce reverse thrust during landings when safe, resulting in measurable fuel savings. Each airline’s data remains securely siloed, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with aviation standards. According to Andrew Coleman, head of GE Aerospace’s Software-as-a-Service division, this strict data privacy framework is key to building trust among users.
Currently adopted by 42 airlines—including Qantas, Delta Air Lines, and private jet operator NetJets—FlightPulse caters to flight crews ranging from small fleets of 200 pilots to major carriers with over 15,000 aviators. GE Aerospace aims to surpass 100,000 registered pilots by 2026. Coleman emphasized that pilots’ confidence in the system depends on understanding that the data is not used punitively but solely to enhance safety and efficiency. With its expanding user base and proven operational impact, FlightPulse is quickly establishing itself as a vital digital tool in the aviation industry’s quest for smarter, safer skies