Technical Operations
ADM Solutions Offered for Technical Operations
UTC Aerospace Systems' Aircraft Data Management (ADM) platform goes beyond a typical EFB solution with unique features and capabilities that can also benefit Technical Operations teams through its ability to access aircraft data and send information both on and off the aircraft during all phases of flight. This results in real time information related to the condition of the aircraft, the ability to stage software updates on the aircraft without actually going to the aircraft, or even the foundation of a prognostic and health monitoring system.
CASE STUDY:
Virtual Quick Access Recorder Plus (vQAR+)
A customer wanted to quickly, simply and securely offload aircraft data recorded during flight directly to their technical operations center and to a third party which provides flight data analysis services.
The customer sought to reduce the cost of recovering data from the aircraft and reduce both data loss and latency by implementing an automated system to replace their legacy manual processes.
Beyond standard industry Quick Access Recorder (QAR) capabilities, they sought a flexible platform which would permit them to access and record bi-phase as well as bi-polar frames simultaneously, allowing them to meet FOQA requirements as well as obtain user-modifiable data frames that would allow them to address specific concerns. They also desired the ability to record a custom data file, with only the specific data they were interested in, thus reducing the amount of data recorded and transferred off the aircraft.
Lastly, concerned with data transmission costs, they wanted a configurable communications management capability offered by the Aircraft Interface Device (AID) that would offer multiple means for offloading the data depending on aircraft location (home base, out station), communications costs and other criteria.
Our Virtual Quick Access Recorder (vQAR+) application utilizes the AID-hosted application and the OpsInsight ™ Aircraft Data Management portal to automate the collection, consolidation, reporting and distribution of aircraft data. Due to the bi-phase and bi-polar capabilities of the system, the customer was able to download both mandatory and user-modifiable data frames simultaneously. Via configuration, the airline was able to select the data it wanted to offload and when it would offload via a particular communications means and specify destinations.
Benefits include:
- Improves data retention through elimination of manual aircraft data retrieval
- Includes virtual Digital Aircraft Condition Monitoring System Recorder (DAR) functionality
- Captures additional aircraft data: vQAR+ (user-defined) and DAR (mandatory flight data recorder data), ARINC 717
- Reduces maintenance workload through automation of key processes (download and transmission of flight data)
- Application loaded in factory for new AID units or via Service Bulletin on-wing; enabled in the field via license key on-wing
Technical Operations Solution Included:
Aircraft Interface Device (AID)
Request InformationCASE STUDY:
Data Loader: Process Automation
A customer sought the ability to securely and reliably manage and distribute Flight Management System (FMS) navigation database updates, as well as other loadable software airplane parts (LSAPs) on their aircraft by replacing their legacy floppy disk-based transfer process with an electronic process that includes paperless reports for traceability and regulatory compliance.
Our Data Loader application is a digital tool and workflow replacement for outdated portable data loader hardware and manual processes. Via a software application on the Aircraft Interface Device (AID), the customer can optimize the software and database update processes. The customer can streamline electronic distribution of data by pre-staging it across the entire fleet via the OpsInsight™ portal. When authorized maintenance personnel arrive at the aircraft, they can be confident that the full and correct updates are ready for installation. Following installation and validation, appropriate records are updated automatically, allowing the customer to demonstrate regulatory compliance.
Benefits include:
- Reduces maintenance workload through automation of key processes (preparation, transport and distribution of software parts)
- Improves data quality through elimination of manual uploads/ download of aircraft data
- Resolves obsolescence issues posed by 3.5 inch floppy disks and USBs
- Provides traceability of software updates (electronic audit trail)
- Leverages ADM platform (AID and ground station) and software – no additional hardware is required (no portable data loader equipment, no floppy disks)
- Application installed in factory and enabled via license key on-wing
- Our customers are looking forward to seeing the full benefits of this solution in 2018
ADM Solution included:
Aircraft Interface Device (AID)
Request InformationCASE STUDY:
Aircraft Condition Monitoring System (ACMS) Lite
A customer sought to obtain a specific data set from the aircraft across its fleet and was frustrated by the cost and time required to obtain updates to their ACMS report templates from outside providers.
Our ACMS Lite application offers a powerful supplement to legacy Aircraft Condition Monitoring Systems by putting control of custom reports into the hands of operators. Complementary to existing OEM ACMS reports, this tool enables authorized users to define triggers, events and data used in reports as well as report duration and periodicity via an intuitive visual tool set on the OpsInsight™ portal. The application monitors aircraft data in real-time for user-defined triggers that result in automated data gathering and reporting back to airline network. The capability allows operators to build targeted reports to address concerns on single aircraft or across fleets/ sub-fleets. Multiple customers will be using this solution in 2018.
Benefits include:
- Provides operators with direct control of ACMS reports, across mixed fleet and/or for targeted aircraft concerns
- Captures non-traditional sources of data
- Reduces time and cost of customization of ACMS reports
- Simplifies ACMS-bases analytics, enlarging potential user pool
- Enables flight operations benefits such as fuel savings initiatives (single engine taxiing)
- Leverages ADM platform (AID and ground station) – no additional hardware is required
ADM Solution included:
Aircraft Interface Device (AID)
Request Information