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Adding digital flight logs

Below are six key takeaways found in integrating flight logs with aviation maintenance software.

1. Manual processes are minimized
Manual processes can be the bane of any aviation maintenance department’s existence. They can be time consuming, tedious and prone to human error. The most significant difficulties come to the fore when manual errors are not identified in a timely manner. Incorrect flight log data can be damaging and it can be a nightmare when a pilot’s analogue flight logbook goes missing.

If an aircraft has been grounded because a part is recalled, no director of maintenance ever wants to learn their department cannot determine the correct hours that have been logged on that aircraft due to inaccurate flight log information. By integrating flight logs with an AMS, a pilot can simply enter flight log data into their electronic flight log book and this information is instantly transferred to the software.

2. No more waiting for information
The practice of having pilots manually provide their flight log hours to the maintenance department is still in place at numerous aviation operations. By using an API, flight log information can be automatically transferred directly from an aircraft itself or from a pilot’s electronic flight logbook over to the software. This is a huge time-saver for the maintenance department and a maintenance planner, in particular, as they no longer have to wait for the information required to begin planning maintenance tasks and checks.

3. Complete operational transparency
For an aircraft maintenance department, decreasing the amount of time spent accessing information is crucial for increasing overall department productivity – ultimately, technicians spend less time at workstations and more time on performing maintenance tasks. This goes hand in hand with the fact that when flight log information is automatically transferred to an AMS, the information is fully transparent.

 Searching for information seems like a minor inconvenience and when that becomes routine, it clearly has a negative impact on a company’s finances. To improve business efficiencies, you need full operational transparency. By automating processes, you can achieve this goal.

4. An Improvement in the Integrity of Data
Trusting the accuracy of data is key to improving the management of and efficiency of your business. If you can’t trust in the accuracy of flight log information, how can you feel comfortable performing maintenance on an aircraft?

Simply put, fewer manual inputs equate to fewer human errors and, in turn, this leads to an increased level of confidence in the integrity of your data. Over time, staff trust the accuracy of data within your system and the turnaround time on maintenance activities improves.

5. Increased efficiency on maintenance tasks
Hours entered on a pilot’s electronic flight log book or instantly relayed from an aircraft can indicate to the maintenance department that a particular part is coming due for replacement. The department can then prepare for the maintenance tasks in advance by requesting the required parts from the stores department prior to receiving the aircraft.

By automating the transfer of flight log information to an aviation maintenance solution, operations can reduce their ground time and improve their turnaround on maintenance activities. This ultimately improves a company’s capacity to take on new business.

6. Instant access to information
When maintenance departments are forced to wait for the information they require, forecasting maintenance duties becomes a challenge. This makes them less efficient. By integrating electronic flight log books with an AMS, aviation operations have the opportunity to improve maintenance planning, reduce inefficiencies, and expedite maintenance activities.

Christopher Lawn is a marketing specialist with WinAir, info@winair.ca.