TECH TALK
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are advancing into the commercial arena as the Y2015 deadline for the FAA nears. We have seen a wave of consumer electronics-led
advances in visual displays, handheld devices, software applications, and home automation and security, all of which were made possible with low-cost electronics. Aviation needs safe, reliable and long-life devices. These requirements often fl y in the face of the disposable consumer market. Couldn’t a happy medium could be reached in augmenting many of the core technologies pioneered in various home market business cases? New technologies, especially for lower-volume or smaller cost components, do not reach aircraft due to the cost of certifi cation and the various levels of testing required (for good reason). Perhaps this is where NASA could provide assistance to small fi rms that would like to enter aviation, but lack the expertise and resources to do so. And, quite possibly, what a great way to drive a new generation of aviation pioneers into the market? Build a lab, then let them come and help push the proverbial envelope.
JUST DO IT
Rather than hope that NASA gets this right, it is imperative that the aviation industry pushes this agency to drive their self-defi ned blueprint to fruition. The U.S. aerospace and aviation industries are under attack from abroad like never before. Many other countries provide their domestic companies with greater levels of support in order to build national champions. It is time for NASA to raise its level of commitment and use the hard-won knowledge it has gained over the years to kickstart the next generation of aviation innovation. The U.S. does not need NASA to develop any new products, but rather to serve as an R&D lab to identify or refi ne viable far-off technologies that can later be industrialized by commercial companies. This agency should also assist entrepreneurial companies in proving out their potential products, and perhaps participate in certifi cation processes. NASA needs to expand its focus if it hopes to succeed in addressing each of these three mega drivers. This will benefi t us all, serve the public and drive the next- generation of aviation pioneers.
John Pawlicki is CEO and principal of OPM Research. He also works with Information Tool Designers (ITD), where he consults to the DOT’s Volpe Center, handling various technology and cyber security projects for the FAA and DHS. He managed and deployed various products over the years, including the launch of CertiPath (with world’s fi rst commercial
PKI bridge). John has also been part of industry eff orts at the ATA/A4A, AIA and other industry groups, and was involved in the eff ort to defi ne and allow the use of electronic FAA 8130-3 forms, as well as in defi ning digital identities with PKI. His recent publication, ‘Aerospace Marketplaces Report’ which analyzed third-party sites that support the trading of aircraft parts is available on
OPMResearch.com as a PDF download, or a printed book version is available on
Amazon.com.
Pilatus PC-12 NG Achieving World-Class Pilatus PC-12 NG Cockpit
Customer Service Programs Pilatus Business Aircraft pinpoints Quantum MRO & Logistics software as the foundation of its customer service programs The Challenge
Pilatus Business Aircraft
Ranked for the 12th year in a row by Professional Pilot magazine as providing the best customer service for business turboprop aircraft, Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, was founded in 1996 to provide completions, marketing, sales, and service for Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in North and South America. A global network of authorized PC-12 service and satellite centers also supports Pilatus Business Aircraft customers.
www.pilatus-aircraft.com
While establishing its benchmark customer service programs, Pilatus determined its accounting system did not have the flexibility and scalability to accommodate the Company’s broad business needs. So the search began for aviation-focused software that would adapt to their specific require- ments for production, parts and sales purchasing, and warranty manage- ment. Ideally the new software would also provide digital maintenance track- ing, reliability and other services such as hourly cost maintenance programs to meet the aircraft management needs of Pilatus’ customers.
The Solution
Pilatus Business Aircraft select- ed Component Control’s Quantum MRO & Logistics software to be the platform for managing its avia- tion-related operational processes. Component Control partnered with Pilatus Business Aircraft to develop Quantum’s Aircraft Maintenance and Warranty modules to complement the existing Quantum capabilities and integrate service and work data across their facility. To further expe- dite parts sales to its network service providers, Pilatus also leveraged the Quantum Parts Search App, an app that is embedded into their corporate
website which allows 24/7 online search access, and the ability to send RFQs and purchase orders for Pilatus’ certified parts.
With Quantum Aircraft Maintenance and Warranty, Pilatus Business Aircraft is able to offer optional digital mainte- nance tracking to their customers and facilitate the industry’s fastest warran- ty processing service, posting credits within 7 days. Overall, the Quantum system at Pilatus provides tracking and traceability to birth, addresses regu- latory requirements management, and manages all MRO services from engines, to interior modifications and avionics.
“Choosing Quantum software in 2001 to be the platform for administering our customer service programs was a great investment for our company. This is as verified by our status as a world-class customer service provid- er” confirmed Piotr “Pete” Wolak, VP Customer Service, Pilatus Business Aircraft.
www.componentcontrol.com Visit Component Control at MRO Americas 2014 · Apr 8-10 · Phoenix, AZ · Booth #2115 03 2014 29
DOMmagazine.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64