Black Box Viewer Data Recording Issues

[Bill Hertzel]

I am trying to view my flight data.
I have created a 50mb Recording file.
Data Recording is ENABLED.
The flight timer operates while airborne.
The KML Files show my flight paths on Google Earth.
The Flight Log (Foilio) has 50+ Entries and is readable.
The Internal Recording successfully transferred to the SD Card.
The SD card has the IEFIS.REC file.
The Black Box Viewer recognized the *.REC file.

The Viewer states that there was NO VALID FLIGHT DATA FOUND in the REC file.
and to check that, " Data Channels to be Recorded are Enabled."
How is that done?

The Viewer instructions state.
" Enable data recording and select the data structures to be recorded. The Primary Flight Data (altitude, airspeed, vertical speed, etc) do not need to be selected – if recording is enabled, these parameters are automatically included. "

As far as I can tell, it should record the primary flight data as a minimum.
What am I missing?
How are the additional data channels enabled?
Do I need to manually transfer the internal *.REC recording to the SD card or does that happen after the end of each flight automatically?

[Bill Hertzel]

Can anyone at least confirm that the Flight Data Recorder Function is working for them?

[bvolcko]

Mine works fine

[Bill Hertzel]

Thanks for the reply.
Is there anything in the summary in my original posting that I am missing?
I am guessing that I need to enable something that I am not aware of.
How/Where do you enable the additional data channels?
Thanks, Bill

[bvolcko]

I really don’t know how or why. It just always worked

[LaneRM]

Bill,

Have you tried using MGL Avionics EFIS recording tool?

Looks like the Black Box viewer is for Enigma systems, and the link above is for iEFIS data.

I haven't messed around with recording at all, but maybe the formats are different.

[Bill Hertzel]

Thanks, Rob,
Now that I know what I should have been looking for, it seems I didn't scroll down the TOOLS Page far enough.
Using the correct software makes a difference.

The BBTool loads my .DAT file and reports "Imported 3 Flights". So far, so good.
I have checked a number of PRIMARY FLIGHT and RDAC1 Engine Data selections for plotting but am still looking at a Blank Grey chart.
So close but still so far...

What is the final piece of this puzzle?
ANYONE!?

[noel_wade]

Welcome to the BBTool - which is about 90% functional and about 10% documented. (But it’s free at least)

I’m trying to get to OSH so pardon this brief reply - I hope I can help more when I’m less stressed & preoccupied…

First key point: After you import the flights from a DAT or REC file, they are saved as a .FLT file to the “Flights_SD” or “Flights_Int” folder (underneath whatever directory you installed the tool into). You have to use the menubar to open one of those flight files before you can see any charts.
When you import a REC file the FLT files are saved in the “_SD” subfolder, while flights imported from a DAT file are always saved to the “_Int” subfolder.

Second key point: Be CAREFUL checking those data boxes! You can select a maximum of 16 across all the various tabs. If you select more than 16 you’ll get a windows error and the app may crash. There is no warning or counter - you are responsible for tracking this.

Third key point: If you use the “export” functionality, ignore the folder or file name that pops up - it is wrong. Your export will be saved into a folder named “Exports” underneath the directory/folder where you installed the BBTool

Fourth key point: Despite offering you different units for display, not all of these units will be used for display or export. Some things always use a specific unit of measure no matter what you select (for instance, I believe pressure is always expressed in Bar).

Hope this info helps!

—Noel

[Mikeyb]

I loaded the data viewer on a new windows 11 computer and it works fine. I find this to be a very good tool. The FWF RDAC allows easy connection of additional thermocouples in the engine compartment for troubleshooting that get logged without modifying your iEFIS screens.

I also use flight data viewer a third part program that has interesting features like the ability to replay a flight and see basic EFIS functions on a display.

https://jasflyer.com/