Computer Skills Effects of Flight Data Monitoring Technology in an Aircraft Inspection Process

93 Pages·2013·5.85 MB·English

by  Thomas P. Speca

Purdue University
Purdue e-Pubs
College of Technology Directed Projects College of Technology Theses and Projects
3-31-2011
Computer Skills Effects of Flight Data Monitoring
Technology in an Aircraft Inspection Process
Thomas P. Speca
Purdue University, [email protected]
Follow this and additional works at:http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/techdirproj
Speca, Thomas P., "Computer Skills Effects of Flight Data Monitoring Technology in an Aircraft Inspection Process" (2011).College of
Technology Directed Projects.Paper 32.
http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/techdirproj/32
This document has been made available through Purdue e-Pubs, a service of the Purdue University Libraries. Please contact [email protected] for
additional information.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................... v
LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………………….. vi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................... vii
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................... 1
1.1. Research Question….………………………………………………. 1
1.2. Scope…………………….…………………………………………… 1
1.3. Significance ……….…………………………………………………. 2
1.4. Definitions …………………………………………………………. 2
1.5. Assumptions ………………………………………………………… 3
1.6. Limitations …………………………………………………………… 4
1.7. Delimitations ………………………………………………………… 4
1.8. Summary……………………………………………………………… 5
SECTION 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ………………………………………….. 6
2.1. Introduction ………………………………………………………….. 6
2.2. Flight Data Monitoring………………………………………………. 6
2.3. The Changing Role of Aircraft Inspection and Maintenance …… 9
2.3.1. Airplane Inspectors ………………………………………………. 9
2.3.2. Computer Incorporation ………………………………………….. 11
2.4. GA-FDM ……………………………………………………………… 12
2.5. Computer Skills and Abilities……………………………….……… 15
2.6. Process Mapping …………………………………………………… 21
2.7. Summary …………………………………………………………….. 23
SECTION 3. METHODOLOGY ………………………………………………… 24
3.1. Population and Data Collection ……………………………………. 24
3.2. Project Steps………………………………………………………… 24
3.3. Analysis ………………………………………………………………. 25
3.4. Summary……………………………………………………………… 26
SECTION 4. DATA AND RESULTS …………………………………………… 27
4.1. Data Collection………………………………………….…………… 27
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4.2. Map Formatting Conventions………………………………………. 28
4.3. Computer Interaction Analysis……………………………………... 32
4.4. Scheduled Inspection Process Analysis…………………………… 34
4.5. Unscheduled Inspection Process Analysis………………………… 35
4.6. Further Analysis………………………………………………………. 36
4.7. Summary………………………………………………………………. 36
SECTION 5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ……………….. 38
5.1. Scheduled Inspection Process Conclusions………………………. 38
5.2. Unscheduled Inspection Process Conclusions…………………… 40
5.3. Recommendations…………………………………………………… 41
5.4. Summary………………………………………………………………. 43
LIST OF REFERENCES ………………………………………………………… 42
APPENDIX ………………………………..……………………………………… 47
Appendix A. Industrial Review Board Application …………………….. 47
Appendix B. Scheduled Inspection Process without GA-FDM Technology
………………………………………………………………………………. 51
Appendix C. Scheduled Inspection Process with GA-FDM Technology
………………………………………………………………………………. 57
Appendix D. Unscheduled Inspection Process without GA-FDM
Technology………………………………………………………………… 63
Appendix E. Unscheduled Inspection Process with GA-FDM Technology
……………………………………………………………………………… 68
Appendix F. Scheduled Inspection Computer Skills Highlight ………. 73
Appendix G. Unscheduled Inspection Computer Skills Highlight …… 80
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
Table 1. Basic Operating System Skills………………………………………… 16
Table 2. Basic Software Skills….………………………………………..………. 17
Table 3. Internet Browsing Skills ………………………………………………. 18
Table 4. Basic E-mail Skills …………………………….………………………. 19
Table 5. Basic Microsoft Excel Skills……………………………………………. 20
Table 6. Scheduled Inspection Process Analysis …………………………….. 34
Table 7. Scheduled Inspection Computer Skills Analysis …………………… 34
Table 8. Unscheduled Inspection Process Analysis………………………….. 35
Table 9. Unscheduled Inspection Computer Skills Analysis ………………… 36
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
Figure 1. Numbering Convention – Added Steps …………………………….. 29
Figure 2. Numbering Convention – Altered Steps ……………………………. 29
Figure 3. Four Way Decision – Standard ……………………………………… 30
Figure 4. Four Way Decision – Alternative ……………………………………. 31
Figure 5. Computer Interaction Analysis (Partial worksheet)………………… 33
Figure 6. Inspector FDMail Review Process ………………………………….. 38
Figure 7. GA-FDM Automatic Flight Report Process ………………………… 40
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Speca, T., Purdue University, April, 2011 Computer Skills Effects of Flight Data
Monitoring Technology in an Aircraft Inspection Process. Committee Chair: Dr.
Mary E. Johnson

Purdue University has recently purchased and deployed a new fleet of
aircraft that include a cutting edge avionics suite with flight data monitoring
technology. This technology gathers data during flight on airframe, powerplant,
and flight parameters of the airplane. This study evaluated how the new
technologies influenced the inspection process of the airplanes, as well as
highlight new skills required by the inspectors to utilize the technologies. This
issue was addressed because inspectors may not be able to take full advantage
of what the new data from the airplane if they don’t possess the proper skills to
access and assess the information. The project was conducted through process
mapping the inspection process as it is currently without the new technology, and
after the implementation of the new technology. The maps were used to identify
how the process and where the process has changed. From these changes it
highlighted the skills were required to use the new technology. The result of the
project was four process maps, as well as identification of different skills needed
to complete the inspection utilizing the new technology. The process maps with
the skills highlighted, may be used to develop training needs or as a tool to
benchmark required skills and abilities during the hiring process.
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SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
The process of inspection is one of the most important steps ensuring
airworthiness of an aircraft in flight. Inspection is usually a manpower intensive
process, frequently carried out visually, and used to identify where and what
parts of the airplane are in need of maintenance, repair, or overhaul.
Traditionally, inspection takes place with the use of job cards to instruct an
aircraft inspector where or what to inspect, and what process to go through. With
the introduction of computer based flight data monitoring (FDM) systems, the job
of the inspector is requiring increasing amounts of computer interaction. The
onboard airplane computers are able to instruct the inspector on places that
require more attention than usual, rather than the more general tasks previously
required by the paper driven, manual system. This project’s goal was to identify
the changes in the inspection process brought on by these new technologies,
and understand the impact new technologies bring to aircraft safety and
maintenance.
1.1. Research Questions
• In what ways will the Purdue Aviation Technology new fleet of Cirrus
airplanes and the associated General Aviation Flight Data Monitoring (GA-
FDM) system provide change opportunities for the process to inspect aircraft
during scheduled and unscheduled inspections?
• What computer skills are needed during the inspection process to access,
evaluate, and interpret the information provided by these new technologies?
1.2. Scope
The goal of this research was to gather information on the impact of the
new GA-FDM technology and how it affects the inspection processes conducted
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during an unscheduled or scheduled phase 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 inspection of a Cirrus
SR20 compared to the traditional system used without the GA-FDM technology.
Information was gathered through interviews with the employees of Purdue
Aviation Technology and reviewing literature on the functionality of the GA-FDM
system.
1.3. Significance
The information gathered from this research was used to highlight
baseline skills needed to interpret data from the GA-FDM system into usable
aircraft knowledge when performing an inspection. This highlighted skill set could
then be used by others in evaluating the current skills of individuals using the
system, in establishing training sessions to increase proficiency with the system,
and as a set of skills to look for when considering hiring of new employees. The
process maps created during the research documented the inspection process
which can be used by other to understand the process as it currently is and the
process after the incorporation of GA-FDM technology. Those maps can then be
used as a baseline for future improvement projects.

1.4. Definitions
Alakai Technologies – “a Hopkinton, Massachusetts-based company that
develops, manufactures, and integrates products to enhance aircraft
safety. Alakai (pronounced “al-uh-ki”) is the Hawaiian word for “leader” or
“guide” (Alakai Technologies & CAPACG, Inc., 2008, p. 2)
CAP Aviation Consulting Group - CAPACG – “a consulting firm and systems
integrator focused on helping hardware and software companies develop
products specifically for the General Aviation FDM market. CAPACG is an