by Charlotte Daniels | Feb 17, 2020 | Flight Ops IT, MRO IT
Boeing has disclosed numerous agreements with Asia-Pacific airlines that will allow the implementation of digital solutions to increase operational efficiencies and safety.
The orders and agreements include:
– Vistara, an Indian operator, has signed an agreement to support their entry into service of new 787-9 aircraft, including Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox and Airplane Health Management tools. Powered by Boeing AnalytX, Boeing says that these provide real-time, custom alerting, fleet data to enhance maintenance capabilities. Vistara has also signed a new five-year agreement to receive Jeppesen Crew Rostering and Boeing Alertness Model tools.
– Air Tahiti Nui has signed a multi-year agreement to use Boeing Airplane Health Management. This allows the operator access to real-time maintenance and engineering data for its 787 fleet.
– Bamboo Airways will support its new 787 fleet via new agreements for Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro electronic flight bag (EFB), Electronic Document Browser and Onboard Performance Tool capabilities. These enable flight crews to perform real-time weight and balance and takeoff and landing calculations to reduce maintenance costs and determine optimal payloads.
– Sichuan Airlines has signed for Jeppesen JetPlanner Pro services to enhance flight planning capabilities.
– Last, Virgin Australia Group has opted for Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro electronic flight bag (EFB) and digital navigation chart services, to increase operational efficiency.
“We continue to work closely with our Asia-Pacific airline customers to understand their unique operating requirements, as they continue to expand in this dynamic region of the world,” said Ted Colbert, president and CEO, Boeing Global Services. “Our digital services enhance efficiency across all phases of flight, eliminate paper-based flight materials and create operational bottom-line advantages for our customers in a highly competitive business environment.”
by Charlotte Daniels | Feb 11, 2020 | MRO IT
SITA has announced the launch of the MRO Blockchain Alliance, an industry-wide investigation into the use of blockchain to efficiently manage & locate aircraft parts.
The new alliance comprises key MRO organizations from areas including part manufacture and repairs to logistics and smart contracts. To date, members include Bolloré Logistics, Cathay Pacific, FLYdocs, HAECO Group, Ramco Systems, SITA, and Willis Lease Finance Corporation, supported by Clyde & Co.
According to SITA, the alliance was first mooted in 2019 at a HAECO Group event. The aim is to set a global standard around the use of blockchain to trace parts.
The blockchain plans to launch a proof of concept to demonstrate the use of blockchain to digitally track and record the movements and maintenance history of parts for airlines, lessors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as engine producers, logistics suppliers, and maintenance providers. Due to the fractured nature of data sharing today, the potential of blockchain is not yet able to be realised. The use of blockchain can simplify, secure and speed up parts tracking.
SITA discloses that initially the alliance will use blockchain to record and track two separate strands of information for each aircraft part: a digital thread and a digital passport. The digital thread provides the real-time status, chain of custody and back-to-birth track and trace of the part over time. The digital passport provides the indisputable identity of a part and contains other vital data such as certification of airworthiness to prove ownership.
Matthys Serfontein, President of Air Travel Solutions for SITA said: “This initiative is part of SITA’s ongoing exploration of blockchain, a technology that we believe promises tremendous opportunity for streamlining the sharing and recording of information across the air transport industry. In an industry as interconnected as ours, the ability to share and record common data in a secure way without giving up control of that data is fundamental to driving new efficiencies in air travel. This is particularly true for the MRO sector.”
by Charlotte Daniels | Feb 10, 2020 | Connectivity, Flight Ops IT
Rolls-Royce’s R2 Data Labs (launched 2017) has announced the launch of Yocova – an aviation-centric data exchange platform. The platform is engineered for secure data sharing in addition to providing an information exchange for software applications.
Yocova is part of Rolls-Royce’s ‘IntelligentEngine’ initiative, which both enables flexible data sharing and maximises the potential of the connected engine.
“We are thrilled to unveil Yocova,” says Caroline Gorski, Group Director, R2 Data Labs. “Since our launch, R2 Data Labs has been committed to unlocking the value of data and encouraging collaborative data innovation. This digitally-enhanced platform fits perfectly within that vision. We are already seeing great value in working with our industry peers to unlock our combined data sources and create unique digital service solutions that could truly enhance the future of aviation.”
According to the engine manufacturer, Yocova has already begun to attract various users including software / application providers and operators, namely Singapore Airlines which uses the platform to enhance its own operational efficiency.
“The creation of a modern open digital collaboration and innovation platform is a strategic move that addresses a clear need in the market,” said George Wang, Senior Vice President Information Technology of Singapore Airlines. “We are glad to be able to provide our digital expertise and operational experience as an airline, and work with Rolls-Royce on the development of Yocova. We see a huge opportunity for value creation across the industry through the open platform, and ease of collaboration where the control of data lies with the data owners and not the central platform. This project is in line with our vision of being a leading digital airline.”
To date, Yocova has been operating as a trial platform for over six months in its beta phase. Now that it is utilised by Singapore Airlines, Yocova will seek broader content and commercial investment from industry partners.
by Charlotte Daniels | Feb 3, 2020 | Flight Ops IT, MRO IT
Conduce Group has announced that Titan Airways has chosen its eTechLog8 mobile software solution in its bid to enhance digitalisation of processes and procedures. The software provider has disclosed that eTechLog8 will completely replace the current paper-based aircraft technical logbooks for Titan, including its deferred defect logbook and cabin logs. The Conduce eTechLog8 application will also be fully integrated into Titan’s CAMO solution – Commsoft OASES – to enable real time aircraft status data to be available 24/7.
Dave Bunker, Engineering Director, Titan Airways says “This is an exciting step forward for Titan as it moves toward an all Airbus fleet and looks for greater digitisation of the Airline. As an ACMI provider it is critical that the business has real time aircraft status data in order to be able to provide excellent operational service to our client base around the world. Following a review of the market for ETL solutions Conduce Group was selected due to several factors, including a proven track record with many airworthiness authorities, total integration capability with back-office systems, and a unique and intuitive interface that will both minimise training requirements but also allow for a rapid implementation and acceptance of the solution.”
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Titan Airways to the growing community of airlines that have chosen eTechLog8,” adds Conduce MD Paul Boyd. “The adoption of eTechLog8 allows an ACMI providers’ fleet to be totally “base” independent, operating anywhere in the world ensuring full visibility and integrity of the aircraft technical status.”
Implementation commenced in January, with full rollout planned for mid-2020.
by Charlotte Daniels | Feb 3, 2020 | Innovation
Wright Electric, easyJet’s partner has announced an engine development programme is underway for Wright 1; its inaugural 186 seat electric aircraft.
Wright is currently building a 1.5 MW electric motor and inverter at 3 kilovolts, in order to achieve the power required for electric flight. According to easyJet and the electric systems manufacturer, these components will form the engine of Wright 1 aircraft and signifies a step closer to a future of zero emissions ‘green’ air travel.
Wright Electric is currently in discussions with BAE Systems to develop appropriate flight controls and energy management systems, with engine ground tests planned for 2021 and eventual flight tests slated for 2023. Wright has also announced that it is moving its headquarters to Albany, NY to leverage engineering talent.
The company expects entry into service of Wright 1 in 2030. “This is another crucial step for our partner Wright Electric to move towards the introduction of commercial electric aircraft and it is exciting to see their ambitious timeline for testing and entry into service,” says Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet. “Battery technology is advancing at pace with numerous US government agencies now funding research into electric aviation– all of these developments help us to more clearly see a future of more sustainable operations.
“We know it is important to our customers that we operate as sustainably as possible,” continues Lundgren. “Our carbon offsetting programme has been positively received by our customers and we have now offset more than nine million passenger journeys – but we are clear this is an interim solution until new technologies become available and we can see more clearly than ever a future that is not exclusively reliable on jet fuel.”
“Wright Electric is dedicated to bringing low-emissions 186 seat electric planes systems to market,” adds Jeffrey Engler, CEO of Wright Electric. “Wright Electric’s mission is to make commercial aviation greener, and our megawatt engine program is the next step in making our mission a reality.”
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