TECH TALK There are various advantages to implement this type of technology,
with the primary one being how cost-effective it is. and time-stamp these video/audio recordings. In general, cloud-based aviation maintenance solutions simplify the entire process of tracking and maintaining records, eliminating the need for manually sending spreadsheets, lists, and other documents, since personnel who need such information are notified of updated information and access it from wherever they are. Aerogility is another provider of cloud-based predictive maintenance planning and forecasting solutions and announced in recent months that their product is being used to plan the maintenance and engineering requirements for SAS (Scandinavian Airlines). Their software as a service (SaaS) solution will automatically generate “optimized maintenance plans based on a multi-agent model of the SAS fleet and operations. “ Aerogility uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create virtual model-driven simulations of SAS’ MRO operation. The resulting simulation allows for SAS to test different scenarios to create better optimization of their maintenance and engineering programs for their fleet. In a recent press release, Phil Cole,
a solution that could not only handle powerplant shop visit scheduling, but also bringing in new aircraft into the fleet as it phases out of B737s. SAS indicated that it plans to extend its use of Aerogility also to cover heavy base maintenance scheduling.
Civil Aviation Business Manager at Aerogility, adds: “The key feature in the latest version of Aerogility is a functionality that enables the planner to define the workscope for each powerplant unit. Aerogility provides predicted utilization statuses for each of the three main modules, enabling the planner to make an informed decision and customize the workscope accordingly.” Due to the diverse fleet ranging from Boeing 737s and Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321 aircraft, SAS wanted
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DOMmagazine.com | mar 2020
DIGITAL TWINS Many of the aerospace OEMs have moved into using ‘digital twin’ technology, which depends upon cloud computing to be useful. This technology started outside of aviation, but refers to a virtual replica of a physical asset, such as an entire aircraft or an aircraft engine. This replica allows ground-based technical staff to better view how the aircraft or engine in flight is running on their replica in a simulation-based upon operating data sent back from the aircraft. This allows software applications to study and identify enhanced operational or maintenance recommendations. Airbus and Boeing both use this technology in regards to engineering design and manufacturing. GE has also adopted this for use in its engines and has been quoted that this concept as an “organized collection of physics-based methods and advanced analytics that is used to model the present state of any asset,” in a white paper. An article mentioned how Boeing described “how it used model-based engineering or the digital twin to design the air data reference function for the 777X. The ADRF processes data and signals such as airspeed and altitude and helps the airplane convert physical information about the flight environment into digital data populated in numbers and information to pilots on cockpit displays. The model helped Boeing
reduce the cost and time to develop the ADRF on the 777X.” This can also be used in keeping
aircraft in service longer by modeling different scenarios that affect an aircraft’s performance in weather conditions, landing conditions, performance and other criteria that may be used in testing out a digital twin.
In the case of an aircraft engine,
engineers must design in thousands of sensors/data points in the early design and manufacturing phases, which are then used to create the digital model of it. The sensors then communicate back information gathered from an engine in real-time, providing engineers on the ground crucial information such as engine temperature, airflow rate and pressure. This approach is being used on other aircraft systems such as the landing gear, which GE also created a digital twin to troubleshoot operational issues (i.e., hydraulic pressure and brake temperature) and detecting the remaining life-cycle of the landing gear. Airlines and MROs are also
engaging in utilizing digital twin technology, and with the reach of cloud computing, this is becoming more widespread. With this, an airline/operator may be able to better forecast and avoid potential AOGs, due to the constant monitoring of key aircraft and engine systems and be able to use a predictive modeling or preemptive reaction to an unscheduled event befoe an aircraft has even landed. This technology will mature over
time, and due to cloud computing, it is made possible for aircraft in flight, saving the entire industry considerable cost and hassles.
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