Automatic interpretation of aircraft piston engine monitor log

Digital engine monitor during each flight produces large amount of data containing numerous engine parameters. These logs can be later downloaded to a personal computer and graphically presented with accompanying specialized software as sets of curves in a time domain. Potential problems are spotted when parameters exceed specified predetermined operating limits and when conditions for a particular diagnostic pattern are fulfilled. Catalogued diagnostic patterns consisting of EGT-CHT bars, one for each cylinder, are complex and are not easily detected from representation in form of curves on a display. Rule based pattern recognition of catalogued graphic engine fault patterns can provide necessary fault detection and isolation functions.