How To Setup The Flightcell DZMx Integration

You can use your Flightcell DZM/DZMx device on a Spidertracks subscription to track it within the Spidertracks application. 

 

Multiple options are supported via the DZMx tracking settings. Refer to the DZMx Installation Manual for details on setup and retry options.

These can be found on their website here: Flightcell Product Manuals.

Tracking

Overview

To use your DZM/DZMx with Spidertracks, several settings must be changed to conform to the requirements of the Spidertracks Platform.  The steps described here come from the DZMx manual. Please use https://www.flightcell.com/resources/product-manuals to find additional information on your device.

All the settings can be changed via the DZMx keypad or the DZMx Connect companion app (not available in all countries).

The settings that need to be changed are:

1. Tracking Channels
2. Cellular Tracking Config
3. Periodic Track Events
4. Aircraft Power-up messages
5. Offload Order

Note some of the settings below are only available once the DZMx 'Installer code' has been entered. To Access Installer Menus Using DZMx Keypad:

Go to MENU > Hardware Config > Installer Menu Enable
The default Password is 2468

Once enabled, the Installer mode is active until the next DZMx power cycle.

1. Tracking Channels

Ref: DZMx Installation Manual page 47 “Preferred Transmission Mode”
 

To ensure that the Spidertracks Platform gets all the messages that are needed it is recommended that Iridium is always enabled for tracking (“Use for tracking” setting), and “SBD Enable” is turned on for all Iridium modems.

If the DZMx is equipped with a cellular modem and data plan, it is recommended to use the 'Try Cell First' option:
 

Using the DZMx keypad:
Goto: MENU->Tracking>Transmission Opts> Preferred Device and then select 'Try Cell First'

Using DZMx Connect:
Goto: Settings>Tracking>Transmission>Preferred Device and then select 'Try Cell First'

2. Cellular Tracking Config

Ref: DZMx Installation Manual page 48 “Configuring Tracking over IP using Cellular Data”

To use cellular tracking, it is necessary to configure the DZMx with the address of the Spidertracks Platform. Also refer to the Cellular Tracking section below.
 

Using the DZMx keypad:
Goto: MENU > Tracking > Transmission Opts > IP Address
Enter 50.112.174.16 
Tip: Long press the '+' key to enter a decimal point (.)
Goto: MENU > Tracking > Transmission Opts > IP Port
Enter 11011

Using DZMx Connect: 
Goto: Settings > Tracking > Transmission
Set IP address to: 50.112.174.16
Set IP port to 11011

3. Periodic Track Events

Ref: DZMx Installation Manual page 49 “Configuring Periodic Events”

To generate a single track from power up to power off, tracking events need to be generated at least every 5 minutes, both in the air and on the ground.

Spidertracks recommends setting periodic events to 1 minute. 
 

Using the DZMx keypad: 
Goto: MENU > Tracking > Periodic Events > Periodic Timer (Mins)
Use the RIGHT/LEFT keys to set the interval to 1 minute (recommended; Must be <5 minutes)
Goto: MENU > Tracking > Periodic Events > On Ground Timer (Mins)
Use the RIGHT/LEFT keys to set the interval to 1 minute (recommended; Must be <5 minutes)

Using DZMx Connect: 
Goto: Settings > Tracking > Periodic 
Select “On ground” and change to 1 minute (recommended; Must be < 5 minutes)

4. Aircraft Power Up Messages

Ref: DZMx Installation Manual page 50 “Configuring automated event reports - Power Up”

The Spidertracks platform requires these messages to detect new tracks.

Failure to enable this setting will result in position reports from the DZMx not being correctly grouped into each aircraft power cycle.
 

Using the DZMx keypad:
Goto: MENU > Tracking > Triggered Events > Power Notification
Ensure this is set to 'Yes'

Using DZMx Connect: 
Goto Settings>Tracking>Triggered>Power Notification

5. Offload Order

Ref: DZMx Installation Manual page 53 “Managing the DZMx Message Queue”

To allocate old points to the correct track, old position reports must be sent in the order they were generated.
 

Using the DZMx keypad:
Goto: MENU > Tracking > Message Queue > Queue Type
Ensure this is set to 'Send Oldest First'

Using DZMx Connect: 
Goto: Settings > Tracking > Queue 
Using the dropdown menu, select 'oldest message first'

Cellular Tracking

HD tracking is available on the cellular network and means one message every 15 seconds over the cellular network while flying, versus one message every minute for Iridium SBD tracking.

Enabling tracking over the cellular network automatically enables HD tracking (per the installer manual).

Pre-requisite for enabling Cellular Tracking with DZMx

To utilise this feature, your DZMx unit(s) must:

• Be fitted with a cell modem. Most are and this can be checked in MENU > Hardware Config > Modem Config or via the mobile app DZMx Connect > About section
• Be running firmware v2.13.0 or above.
• Be fitted with a cellular SIM with an active cell DATA subscription
• Have the APN correctly setup. Please consult the website of your cellular SIM provider for this information, then enter it under MENU > Hardware Config > Modem Config > Cell (Modem N). Ensure DATA is 'Enabled', and APN has been entered. 

 

Q. The aircraft I am setting up is out of cell range, will this still work?

A. The settings we specify prioritise cell first, then fall back to Iridium. If there is no cell, it should still work fine.

Supported Events

FlightCell DZMx Event	Spidertracks Mapping
Distress	SOS
Distress Cancel	SOS Cancel
Arm Active	Watch on
Arm Inactive	Watch off
DZM Power Up	Power On
Engine Start	Engine Start
Engine Stop	Engine Stop
Takeoff	Takeoff
Landing	Landing
Course change	Heading change
Manually triggered Position	Mark 1
Fill	Fill End
Drop Start	Drop Start
Drop End	Drop End
AFDAU event	(AFDAU events)

Automated Flight Following (AFF)

Spidertracks AFF works normally for all supported DZMx event types.

Not Supported

• Remote Settings Changes through Spidertracks website

• Additional flight events not stated in the mapping table

• Spidertxt
• Geofence

• Suspend tracking

• Outbound Configuration Messages

• Radius

 

Setup

To setup a Flightcell device, please email [e-mail] with the following details:

• Organisation name

• Contact phone number

• Aircraft registration

• IMEI of the DZMx - Found by going to Menu > Diagnostics Menu > Sat Device Details

• Serial number of the DZMx - Found by going to Menu > Diagnostics Menu > Firmware Version

• Firmware version - Found by going to Menu > Diagnostics Menu > Firmware Version

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Spidertracks support at [e-mail] or Flightcell support at [e-mail].