Paperless Future of an Airline World - IATA - Home Future of an Airline World Emerging Technologies within Delta TechOps IATA 2nd RFID & Paperless Technical Operations Conference November

Paperless Future of an Airline World

Emerging Technologies within Delta TechOps

IATA 2nd RFID & Paperless Technical Operations Conference

November 27, 2015 1

Mr. Mike McBride

Delta Air Lines, Inc./TechOps Div.

Director, Component Maintenance

November 27, 2015 2

Introduction

Delta TechOps, we are:

• The third largest MRO in the world

• A $4 billion production center for Delta Air Lines, employing 10,000 people

• A fully integrated global maintenance organization with Atlanta-based main

operation

• Supported by the largest & most experienced non-union TechOps workforce

worldwide

• Continually improving operational efficiency utilizing 200+ Engineers

• 86 years of experience We see the big picture and the smallest details

Who We Are

4

Delta Air Lines FLEET The airline is extremely complex, requiring continual

efficiency improvements within Delta

Delta operates: 18 Aircraft Types

A fleet of over 800 mainline aircraft and

300+ regional jets

At an average age of 17 years

Delta TechOps maintains a large breadth and depth

of technical knowledge and know how

# of AircraftAverage Age

Source: Delta.com. Fleet size as of June 25, 2015. http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/about-delta/corporate-information/aircraft-fleet.html

Who We Are

Engine & Component Overhaul

• 700+ Engine & APU Overhaul Events Per Year

• 200,000+ Component Repairs

• 150+ Landing Gear Repairs and Overhauls

• Thrust Reverser and Composite capabilities

Line Maintenance & Operational Support

• 51 Maintenance Stations

• 29 U.S. Domestic

• 22 International

• Over 200,000 Overnight Checks Per Year

Aircraft Maintenance

• 200+ Major Visits (PSV)

• 260+ Hangar Overnight Visits & Letter Checks

• 200+ Modification & Paint Visits

Logistics & Inventory

• $1.1bn in active inventory

• 12000 part numbers supported

• 44 line stockrooms in 4 continents

• 150,000 transactions monthly from our warehouse

Engineering and Maintenance Control

• Active escalation of Delta’s maintenance programs

• Leader in innovation – wifi, PED, RFID

• 200+ engineers focused on cost and reliability

• Engineering Solution database for 18 Aircraft fleetsDelivering World-Class

Services 24/7/365

A Full Service Airline & MRO

There is no question that airline operations will become paperless – it’s only a question

of when and how

• Many airlines have started paperless initiatives for their

operations. Passenger processes and most flight

operations are now paperless; maintenance, and

especially parts tracking, record keeping, and other

processes are transitioning away from paper

Many airline

functions are

paperless…

Other industries

are paperless…

Additional

paperless

initiatives are

underway…

Operators and

OEMs must work

together

• Parts tracking, digital documentation, and other

paperless technologies have been embraced by virtually

every other industry. Aviation maintenance however,

has been slower to undertake the elimination of paper-

based processes and regulatory requirements

• Initiatives related to integrated paperless maintenance

and aircraft health monitoring are being implemented at

an increasing rate

• OEMs will deliver more e-enabled aircraft and paperless

solutions. Operators and OEMs must prepare systems

to integrate airline and OEM technology

Paperless Airline

Routine tasks for airline operations can be very labor intensive manual processes.

Transitioning to electronic paperless process brings a wealth of operational efficiencies

and productivity gains

Before

Static weather brief

Paper charts

Manual weight & balance

Analog cockpit

Paper Aircraft records

Paper Dependent Environment

e-enabled aircraft have the power to connect and integrate aircraft with passengers, operators, maintainers, suppliers, airports and regulators...

Inventory

Management

Airport

TerminalAirline

Operations CenterPassengers

Aircraft

RegulatorsMRO &

OEM

Aircraft Technologies

Airline Challenge: Coordinate and integrate the numerous technologies, industry

initiatives, business processes and stakeholders to a common vision, standard, and goal

Integrated Paperless

MRO

eC abinLogbook

Full eLogbook eAircraft

eEnabledAircraft

eSignature

Enable Electronic

Documents

Aircraft Configuration Management

Real-time config checks

at part installation

RFID

Safety Equipment/

Parts tracking

eRecords

Electronic work

package

retention

eDocumentation

Electronic Manuals/Mobile

Tablets

There are

several key

paperless

initiatives

currently

underway at

Delta TechOps

Paperless Transition

Flexible & Efficient use of resources

eCabin Logbook/eSignature

• Elimination of onboard manuals and

physical logbooks

• Provides the ability to assign

personnel to needed tasks prior to

flight landing

• Reduction in errors in reporting and

compliance by eliminating

handwritten entries

• Ability of maintenance personnel to

complete and sign-off job tasks

electronically at the time of

completion

Newer Technology e-Enabled Aircraft provide opportunities for greater

operational efficiencies

eAircraft

Predictive Maintenance

Utilization Reporting

Reduction of paper

documents

Electronic Access to OEM Data

Aircraft Configuration Management

CO

ST

CO

NT

RO

L

CO

NF

IGU

RA

TIO

N

CO

MP

LIA

NC

E

The ability to access

OEM manual and parts data at the point of use

Real-time configuration checks at parts installation

Ensuring that the right part is ordered from stock the first time

RFID

Use of RFID Technology for Logistics & Part Tracking

• Ability to efficiently check and maintain

compliance on time controlled items (i.e.

safety equipment)

• Significant reduction in the time required to

perform physical inventory (hours to

seconds)

• Creation of a virtual stockroom to enhance

real-time material and assets tracking

• Improved accuracy of information, reduced

human factors errors, and decreased

ownership costs

eDocumentation

Provides workforce with access to electronic manuals, work cards, and other documentation

Mechanics have the ability to be assigned tasks remotely and to access the job instruction steps electronically

Improved operational efficiency by eliminating wasted transportation time to physical work stations in order to access work order information

FROM THIS

TO THIS

• Elimination of the need to send/retrieve

documentation to/from an offsite vendor

• Reduction of man-hours used to

research paperwork to solve request or

issues with paperwork.

• Ability to drastically reduce the amount

of physical storage space required to

maintain paper records

• Easier means of searching and auditing

completed records

eRecords

Seat 3B will not recline

FA using mobile

Electronic alert to line technician based on qualifications and

availability

-- Dispatch

-- Parts Ordering

-- Link to Mtc Manuals

-- Log book signoffs

Control Center

System Notifications from RFID

Seat 3B will not recline

AMT Workbench

-- Ability to see all Line Activities and requirements

eEnabled Workforce

Pilots using Mobile to report issues during flight

16

Seat 3B will not recline

• Airlines are making use of technological advancements to reduce time

consuming, manual tasks using paper

• Generating an eEnabled work environment allows for process efficiency,

flexible use of resources and cost savings

• Delta TechOps is focused on implementing mobile technology, electronic

documents, eEnabled Aircraft, and RFID in its transition to an integrated

paperless MRO

11/27/2015 17

Summary