Published on : Friday, May 9, 2014
easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, is working with FlightWatching to install a state-of-the-art early fault prognosis tool which can provide the airline’s operations and engineering staff with live updates directly from all of its aircraft as they fly. easyJet’s fleet of aircraft collectively make up to 1400 flights daily to more than 138 airports across Europe, Russia, Iceland and North Africa.
The system is an innovative web-based software system called WILCO which can receive real time values of aircraft system parameters via the ACARS messaging system. This data is then transformed into an animated schematic that can be used to predict any potential issues or to troubleshoot known technical faults before the plane lands. This means the prognostic tool will enable the ground-based engineers to start investigation mid-flight and ensure that the correct engineering resource or parts are available for when the flight lands, thus increasing efficiency.
easyJet is currently trialling the software with live data from a small number of aircraft.
Ian Davies, Head of Engineering for easyJet, commented:
“easyJet is constantly looking towards new and emerging technologies to help us be better informed about potential issues as they occur. To be able to be notified of any developing issues while the plane is inflight will give us a head start so they can be resolved more quickly, resulting in fewer delays for passengers.”
easyJet’s aircraft are already fitted with the ACARS system and the airline’s engines are also constantly monitored inflight by a team of experts at the engine manufacturer in the US. Any issues are reported to the engineers at easyJet so that required maintenance work can be scheduled.
Jean-Philippe Beaujard, President of FlightWatching, commented:
“FlightWatching has developed an innovative software technology to monitor aircraft systems during flight using standard ACARS network without any aircraft modification. Engineering staff use WILCO’s intuitive interface to build their own prognostics, alerts and dashboards targeting cost reduction and maintenance excellence.”
easyJet operates its fleet of 220 Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft in strict compliance with all regulators’ and manufacturers’ recommendations, often exceeding them.
Source:- easyJet
Tags: easyJet
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