that this equipment is detecting is complex and wide-
faults that occur between scheduled ranging. There are
maintenance intervals. I can also say generally two sides of
that this technology has the capability support. One is your
to detect faults prior to being friendly field rep and the
detected by conventional means. other are the engineers
“It is quite impressive to be alerted back at HQ. Different
to an early degraded state of a countries and time zones
component through HUMS, verify can complicate matters,
the condition, order parts, schedule but you would be
the maintenance, and replace the impressed with what can
item while maintaining both safety be accomplished by a
and availability. This early detection skilled individual, a data
helps protect the user not only download, and a remote
against the potential for an incident, connection.”
but also from increased repair costs
a cockpit display unit in one of era’s helicopters
by minimizing secondary damage to Equipment in use more receptive than others. It seems
adjacent components.” Era’s S-76C++s and EC-135s have that not all organizations see the full
Each system has its unique quirks. the Honeywell VXP installed, the potential in the proactive utilization
Some have adjustable thresholds AW-139 is TC’d with the GE HUMS, of the data that can be provided back
for like items with different vibration and the EC-225s are TC’d with to them. “ I would say that at the rate
signatures, some do not. Some the Eurocopter M’ARMS system. that the competition is growing, some
have a robust build that can endure Era president Neill Osborne tells may need to adjust quickly in order
a harsh environment, some need Aviation Maintenance ”We are to avoid the risk of being left behind”
improvement. Some data files can purchasing all of our new medium says Mr Alamond.
be e-mailed, and others require and heavy aircraft with HUMS. The Those that stay involved and
specialized transfer methods. Some light twins as well as the legacy welcome case history information are
software can be difficult to manage aircraft are not as easily equipped as those who are able to tune and tweak
at the field level, but has desirable the manufacturers are slow to offer their systems into something superb,
enhancements for the analyst. HUMS in most cases so we continue he adds. Beyond that, this data
Conversely, there are programs to evaluate after market systems. even helps operators who do not use
that are very efficient in the field, Eventually we want our entire fleet HUMS when the OEM is involved and
but leave much to be desired for the equipped with HUMS and FDM”. proactive by the release of bulletins
analyst. The data management can Era recognizes the benefits of that are related to items detected by
also be a challenge, but like before, training. It has given 23 technicians such equipment. Alamond says “I
each system is different. These factory GE HUMS training, 30 have have personally witnessed upgrades of
differences usually are determined attended the VXP training, and system construction, modifications of
by system complexity and capability. nine have attended the Eurocopter parts and maintenance programs, and
Weight is always a concern, but the M’ARMS training. Alamond says new inspection criteria come about
manufacturers are aware of it and do “We also have 30 additional as a direct result of the data that the
well to stay competitive in that regard. technicians who have completed our HUMS operators have provided back
So what equipment does ERA documented On the Job Training to the OEM.”
AM
have? Mr. Alamond says “We criteria for use of the GE
have equipment from Honeywell, and VXP systems. Era Jason Alamond points out an IGB accelerometer
Eurocopter, and GE Aviation. Anyone also has an additional
operating a diverse fleet of aircraft factory class slotted for
will find that aircraft manufacturers 2010. We have recently
will often choose to endorse, support, begun development of
and sometimes TC a certain HUMS two in-house courses,
system for a particular model. Often, and look forward to their
there is not an alternate certificated implementation.”
system available. For this reason, one Do the manufacturers
may find oneself operating several use operator HUMS data
different systems. to improve design? This
“As systems are refined and involves a wide variety of
introduced on various aircraft types, companies with varying
in time we are bound to get a degrees of background
taste of something new. Support in HUMS. Some are
Aviation Maintenance | avmain-mag.com | February/March 2010 13
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