IATA Paperless Aircraft Operations Conference 2017 Review of e-operation initiatives since rollout @ SWISS
SWISS is one of Europe s leading premium airlines, a Star Alliance member and serving 100+ destinations 95 state-of-the-art aircraft proud member >16 million passengers 33 long-haul and 55 short-haul 7 wet-lease Joined LH Group in 2005 103 destinations in 46 countries 76 European & 26 Intercontinental destinations 8564 motivated colleagues 1374 Cockpit Crew 3835 Cabin Crew 3358 Ground Staff
How did it start? On SWISS side SWISS was looking for an elb which meets all their requirements: Being flexible Being able to run on different devices Being able to run without having constant connection to a ground server Talk with AMOS No such elb on the market!
Specification of Requirements On SWISS side Cabin log has been electronically recorded for more than 10 years at SWISS Internal project of SWISS SWISS goals: One solution for cockpit and cabin (all operated aircraft types) One solution for short and long distance flights Going paperless Save time & money
Go-Live on SWISS side Decision for a hardware device Microsoft Surface Decision: On which aircraft to start with an elb Boeing B777 Training of 1. Maintenance Engineer Classroom 2. Cabin crew via info Bulletin 3. Cockpit crew via ALPM and Training Module Approval of all processes Approval of all documents
Business Case study Key question: Why electronic Logbook? Projected net financial impact of project Elimination of manual handling of 70 000+ reports per year Reduction of central booking staff (data typist) Elimination of mistakes (handwriting not readable, typing errors) = Quality item Long-haul Maintenance 12% Cockpit 14% No. of reports driven by cabin for long-haul aircraft Close to 10 000 reports in one month of full operation Short-haul Maintenance 18% Efficient reporting = Increasing efficiency (no manual transfer into MRO system) Cabin 23% Cockpit 59% Cabin 74%
Electronic Log Book: Introduction at SWISS Different user modes / Microsoft Surface 3 tablets Master device in Cockpit Second device in Cabin Concept One solution for cockpit and cabin (all operated aircraft types) One solution for short and long distance flights Quality improvements Cost reduction Connectivity by GSM modem Huawei Mobile Hotspot 3G 3G Connection USB Chargeable SIM Card of local provider Connects up to 10 Devices via Wi-Fi
ELB Architecture and Data security WIFI GSM VPN Swisscom Private APN SWISS ELB Users Airborne Connectivity RADIUS CrossConsense WIFI Autorisation: Hidden SSID WPA2/PSK Cockpit WIFI WIFI Router Cellular SWISS ELB Server Cabin AMOS Server
Battery Charging Not charged device before next flight ELB Device not fully charged or even empty when overtaken by the next crew Calculation: ELB use on average of 2 hours per long distance flight Problem: Devices are not switched off manually by crew Corrective Actions: Automatically Sleep mode function keep the time short Instruct ELB user to switch device into sleep mode after using Connect devices always to the power outlet for charging Include this information in your training session Improvement: Devices are not completely discharged during operation therefore charging time per ground time is shorter
No available Network GSM On several US stations and narrow bandwidth at BKK Problem: Outside of Switzerland narrow bandwidth or even absolutely no connectivity! United States: bad coverage of the ramp on many airports by most network providers. In BKK rooming partner of Swisscom has a very narrow bandwidth Corrective Actions: Maintenance assists crew in using the backup process relieve the crew in cockpit preparation Selection of other providers with better bandwidth. Improvement: On stations with low bandwidth or no network coverage maintenance assists the crew Change of rooming partner in BKK
Evaluation Connectivity GSM Since Go-Live 777 January 2016 to July 2016 (Source CROSSMOS) 5074 flights 4905 flights synchronization successful = 97% 157 flights backup process was used (download data to USB stick) = 2.75% 12 flights no data synchronized g backup process paper log pages was used = 0.25% Average time per synchronization = 20 seconds Synchronization often fails on the first try Possible reasons: - Router not switched ON or still in sleep mode (router goes into sleep mode after 30 min.) - Tablet still in flight mode That is about 3 percent, where was not carried out online synchronization for any reason.
Evaluation Connectivity WIFI Network Stability 2 cases that connectivity to the server / AMOS completely down 1 st case: SWISS Mobile network M2M provider performed a software upgrade, without testing it first with the users. Result: for 2 days the network was not available anymore (for all users, including Swiss) 2 nd case: VPN connections between Swiss and server all failed and were down for 7 hours. Corrective Actions: SWISS is installing WLAN routers in maintenance offices at ZRH and GVA that provide connectivity to the server using a LAN connection SWISS is checking how to avoid such a problem in the future. Maybe 2 nd second VPN connection
Evaluation Connectivity between Tablets ON Board Connectivity ELB Device Master and Cabin device do not connect via WIFI Reason: One or both tablet do not connect to the router Tablet is stuck in Flight Mode (cannot be switched OFF) Solution: Shutting down and restarting the tablet often solves the problem If not, SWISS replaced the tablet. OS-Image was renewed and all was OK again. 2 cases: router were replaced This is a known problem with the Surface 3 Was solved with Microsoft software update
Several improvements since Rollout Changes and adjustments in the application and process ELB Software improvements: When synchronizing "flight acceptance" always all data were synchronized by default Now only most recent changes to host server are synchronized (about 10% of the data) Other files (PDF files like D & B, Last Base MX release) only synchronized if changes available. Changes in the ELB application process! Pilots are able to enter the fuel uplift after flight acceptance ATA chapter list is stored in the application Process improvements: Charging process on the ground and in flight Now tablets are also connected to power outlets during flight phases The instruction to use the sleep mode feature extends operating life-time
Change Management Paper is easy, Paper is fast! People who have to use new technology have different attitudes! Some of them: Never used electronic devices in their privacy! They are not open to something new and do not give the new process a chance! They are not familiar to use touchscreen applications Do not see the whole processes and their benefits at all! Convince them that working digital leads to several improvements
Impressions of the Base using ELB Maintenance experiences Not all staff interested in ELB Only used it reluctantly in the beginning Some simply had problems to use it (touchscreen, no keyboard...) All age groups (not only older engineers) Other staff: Happy from the beginning Some suggested improvements Important: Take every suggestion for improvement seriously SWISS trained interested engineers as Super User Super Users supported the others situation improved During first 2 3 months several items in the software or on the server were found that had to be improved / fixed «Hotfixes» by CrossConsense direct implementation of upgrade on A/C
Software settings done in a OS-Image IT security recommendation to close OS system as much as possible Tablet Image (OS and ELB) Win 8.1 Pro Image created to load pre-set OS and ELB Software Pre-settings are: Network settings for SSID and PW Power options User profiles for ELB and Admin Time settings and Timeserver connection Restricted settings for ELB user Start and work with ELB Software Set IP address of Master Device (configuration in ELB Software) Set Flight mode on and off Router/Hotspot Settings Hidden SSID (no broadcasting) Password authentication with PSK (pre-shared key) WPA2 connection
Step 3 Step 2 Step 1 Use of RFID technology to improve processes and reduce cost Implementation of life vest and Pouch with RFID - security seal & padlock Managing Life Limited Parts and Cabin Search Engineering Business Process Maintenance Business Process In planning Phase 2018 Logistic Business Process In planning Phase 2018 Stock Business Process Reduction of processing time from a few hours (external) to a few minutes (internal)
Maintenance Operational Control Planning tool to be introduced for optimization of resource use Complex manual planning of resources (manpower) involving many different systems and tools + Much reduced complexity in communication + Increased productivity + Real time updates and progress -- No electronic work instructions or sign off Application supported optimal assignment of tasks eliminating many process steps and taking into consideration: - Available manpower & qualifications - Aircraft ground time & position - Resources (cars, tools, ) Currently in testing phase and expect to go live before end of the year Mobile phone app -> Assign tasks -> Short term changes (i.e. aircraft position) -> Real time update progress (start, end, delay)
SWISS took delivery of its first B777 28 January and has celebrated by adding a livery depicting the faces of over 2,500 of its employees from around the world to represent all areas of Swiss staff, from cabin crew to pilots, technicians, human resources, IT and marketing. Stefan Richard, Swiss International Air Lines 13.11.2017
Current elb status on SWISS fleet 36 long-range and 50 short-range airplanes rolled out Boeing B777 fleet including 8 airplanes, all in service Rollout started by 1 st delivery HB-JNA at 19 th January 2016 Airbus A330 and A340 fleet including 27 airplanes (2 Edelweiss A340) Rollout started by 1 st June 2016 and was completed February 2016 Airbus A320/A321fleet including 36 airplanes (6 Edelweiss A320) Rollout started at 1 st of November 2016 Bombardier C Series100 and 300 fleet including 14 airplanes Rollout started by 1 st delivery HB-JBA at 30 th June 2016
Experiences during Project Phase Evolution of seven month ELB in use (Jan to Aug 2016) Boeing 777 Pilot Complaints: 439 Cabin Complaints: 3090 Maintenance Complaints: 544 Pilot Complaints: 2240 Cabin Complaints: 10469 Approx. 14 complaints per aircraft and day Airbus A340 Pilot Complaints: 623 Cabin Complaints: 2747 Maintenance Complaints: 471 Airbus A330 Pilot Complaints: 966 Cabin Complaints: 4547 Maintenance Complaints: 632 Bombardier CSeries Pilot Complaints: 212 Cabin Complaints: 82 Maintenance Complaints: 64
Visions On SWISS side Available manuals should be linked in CROSSMOS Integration of a Dent & Buckle Chart Continuing improvement of the first version of CROSSMOS Customization through SWISS itself by using the integrated admin tool