Module allows direct data connection from aircraft to Airbus AOG centre in Toulouse
Airbus and Singapore Airlines (SIA) plan to test a new maintenance tool that will, for the first time, connect maintenance analysis software installed on the aircraft with a technical centre at the manufacturer.
The connection is being offered as standard equipment on the A380 and is now being tested by Airbus using one of the manufacturer's test aircraft. But to further test the new maintenance tool, ahead of the A380's entry into service, SIA has agreed to participate in a trial programme in the fourth quarter using its Airbus A340-500s.
Airbus senior director for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) support management Wolfgang Kortas says the trial will begin in October and include all five of SIA's A340-500s. SIA operates its A340-500s on ultra-long-haul non-stop services linking Singapore with Los Angeles and New York.
SIA's A340-500s are already equipped with Airman, a maintenance software tool that is available on all Airbus aircraft. Currently Airman is only connected to airline maintenance centres, providing information and maintenance messages that allow mechanics to start preparing for maintenance while an aircraft is out of station or still airborne. When required, this data is relayed by the airline to the manufacturer.
Airbus has designed a new link and the related software to connect Airman directly with the Airbus Technical AOG Centre (Airtac) in Toulouse, which opened in 2003. Kortas says the Airman-Airtac connection will allow Airbus technical experts, who staff Airtac every hour of the year, to more quickly authorise flights in the event of a malfunction.
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| Airbus will know the A340's maintenance needs while it is airborne |
Under certain scenarios, airlines must receive a "no technical objection" from Airbus before proceeding with flights. With the Airman-Airtac connection, the specialists will be able to instantaneously access data from the aircraft before even receiving a phone call from the operator.
"We can work on a problem, locate spares and plan logistics before the customer even calls us," Kortas says. He says Airbus began testing the Airman-Airtac connection last month on an A380 test aircraft. The first test involving a commercial flight will take place in October using an SIA A340-500. "We'll make sure it works before the A380 enters service," Kortas says.
Kortas says Airbus aims to make the connection standard on other new models including the A350 and is also designing a retrofit for other aircraft types. But he says designing the retrofit involves a lot of work and time because of the high volume of data involved.
"We're working on expanding the automatic approach to other aircraft types," Kortas says.
Source: Flight International
