In the run up to the 2024 Predictive Aircraft Maintenance Conference in Dublin in November, MRO Management asked David Marty, Head of Digital Services Marketing from event sponsor Airbus, and who will be speaking at the event, his thoughts on the landscape of predictive maintenance.
In what ways do you think predictive maintenance solutions can revolutionise MRO activity?
Predictive maintenance solutions can revolutionise MRO activities by preventing unexpected downtimes, minimising costs, extending equipment lifespan, improving operational efficiency and offering environmental benefits.
By avoiding unplanned maintenance, predictive maintenance reduces the risk of lacking necessary skills, resources and spare parts for repairs. It also minimises unnecessary maintenance and repair costs by preventing severe failures and enabling timely part replacements and repairs, making it more cost-effective than reactive maintenance.
Monitoring equipment performance rather than relying solely on scheduled intervals can extend the lifespan of linereplaceable units (LRUs) in compliance with MSG-3 (Maintenance Steering Group) regulations.
Moreover, predictive maintenance allows MROs to better forecast maintenance actions and allocate resources, enhancing overall operational efficiency and productivity.
Predicting and preventing equipment failures also improves workplace safety. Additionally, efficient maintenance reduces energy consumption and waste and, by predicting equipment failure and handling replacements in advance, it avoids costly and urgent part transportation, alleviating strain on the supply chain.
Predictive maintenance represents the next step in the transformation of MRO activities, leveraging data from IoT, aircraft sensors and big data analytics platforms, with an expected acceleration in adoption in the coming years.
How would you describe the current state of predictive maintenance in the MRO market, and are there any exciting trends shaping its future?
Predictive maintenance is an emerging trend in the MRO market, driven by strong industry interest. It involves using aircraft sensor data, which sometimes requires costly retrofits for older aircraft, and historical records analysed with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), supported by regulatory guidelines.
The digital maturity of Airbus is crucial for deploying and creating value from predictive maintenance solutions, such as Skywise Fleet Performance+.
As the industry progresses, the integration of advanced analytics and the increasing digital maturity of companies will shape the future of predictive maintenance, making it an essential component of MRO activities.
In what ways is Airbus already utilising predictive maintenance solutions, and how is this helping improve activity?
Airbus’ predictive maintenance journey started more than a decade ago by leveraging aircraft sensor data and later the Skywise platform.
Skywise is a comprehensive aviation data platform that integrates data from various sources, including aircraft sensors, maintenance records and operational data to help airlines predict potential failures, optimise maintenance schedules and reduce unscheduled downtime.
Airbus Customer Services supports operators with predictive maintenance recommendations, enhancing fleet management and optimisation.
Advanced nose-to-tail analytics, developed through the Digital Alliance, are available in the Skywise digital solution called S. Fleet Performance+, which helps airline operators avoid technical cancellations and delays, ultimately saving hundreds of flights. This proactive approach significantly improves the overall efficiency and reliability of airline operations.
What are the primary hurdles the industry must overcome to advance predictive aircraft maintenance?
The industry must overcome several hurdles to advance predictive aircraft maintenance. First, there is a need to utilise big data, especially time series data, instead of traditional data sources like Quick Access Recorders (QAR), Digital Access Recorders (DAR), and Aircraft Maintenance Centralized System (AMCS) reports, to maximise the value of predictive maintenance.
Implementing and maintaining the necessary IT infrastructure, including sensors, IoT devices and advanced analytics platforms requires significant investment.
Additionally, there is often resistance within organisations to adopt new technologies, making the digital maturity of a company a critical factor.
Shifting from traditional maintenance practices to predictive maintenance requires cultural change and education to overcome resistance.
Lastly, demonstrating short-term return on investment (ROI) can be challenging, although the long-term value of predictive maintenance becomes evident once it is deployed.
How do you foresee predictive maintenance in the MRO industry evolving over the next decade?
Over the next decade, predictive maintenance in the MRO industry is expected to see widespread adoption due to decreasing technology costs and increasing awareness of its benefits. Numerous OEMs will develop advanced analytics to enhance value across the board.
Predictive maintenance will become a core component of the MRO industry, leading to more proactive, efficient and cost-effective maintenance strategies, ultimately helping airline operators run their fleets more safely and reliably.
This feature was first published in MRO Management – Ausgust/September 2024. To read the magazine in full, click here.
PREDICTIVE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE (PAM) CONFERENCE 2024
On 13-14 November, MRO Management and its parent company Real Response Media will host the Predictive Aircraft Maintenance (PAM) Conference 2024 at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin, Ireland, bringing together senior level executives from airlines, OEMs, MRO specialists and big data experts to explore the future of predictive maintenance.
Attendees will discover how to get the best out of predictive maintenance while overcoming the greatest challenges. Case studies will highlight best practices and how companies are successfully collaborating with industry partners, while panel discussions will explore the major topics from the perspective of all stakeholders.
Thank you to our Silver Sponsor, Airbus, for supporting PAM 2024.
For more information and to find out how to register to attend, visit predictiveaircraftmaintenance.com
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