Building a Family
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Glass cockpit
Progress in aircraft systems is being made with respect to more reliable, lower-cost operations, with minimum ground time and acceptable pilot workloads. Higher system integration and application of new technologies are being sought.
The Honeywell Primus EPIC avionics system links aircraft systems and provides reliable data processing, indication on six large flat panel displays, and monitoring and control via two cursor control devices. Integration of additional communication and navigation systems are also made possible by the system. Data sources and processing are minimized, with automated procedures and checklists for pilots and maintenance contributing to a paperless cockpit. Aircraft systems command and data selection are via cursor control devices. Only the data needed at particular flight phases are indicated to prevent pilot information overload.
One card in the second main avionics unit houses the central maintenance computer (CMC), in which all systems' status data are processed and the necessary actions after the next landing initiated via a datalink to the ground maintenance operations. All post-landing activities can be prepared before touchdown, minimizing delays. An additional maintenance switch allows interactive testing of system functions on the ground.
The integration of the utility functions into standard processors and input/output modules requires no additional part numbers and provides lower weight and cost. CMC provides quick and objective fault-isolation data. The modular system architecture allows failure of a single component without direct impact on operation, swapping of components (hot spares concept), dispatch help, and reduced spare parts costs. Four remote terminal access ports for the maintenance PC offer hyperlinks to operational documentation.
Benefits of commonality
Airlines require different sizes of aircraft for flexible scheduling and effective yield management. The market also demands a common product identity. Operations aim for a small number of aircraft types and standardization to achieve low operating cost. Strategic planning demands optimum aircraft capacity in line with the future development of business demands. With the changing market requirements, aircraft fleets must be highly adaptable without increased costs.
The common type rating for an aircraft family enables pilots to operate each type within the fleet, simplifying crew scheduling. It reduces the cost for type rating, training, and salaries throughout the service life of the aircraft and reduces operational constraints such as crew positioning and deadheading costs. These savings will be even more substantial should an airline's route network require more crews per aircraft. Simulators will not be needed for each type of aircraft; one will be able to provide training for all family members.
The required number of maintenance personnel will be lower in a common fleet due to common type ratings, resulting in reduced labor costs coupled with higher efficiency and less burden. The volume of spares can be decreased for common fleets without sacrificing dispatch reliability, resulting in less money being tied up in spares stocks. Many administration areas will be less labor-intensive as well.
A manufacturer can reduce costs by producing higher numbers of the same type of aircraft and reduce development time/cost for follow-on family members. A strong product identity offers multiple advantages to an airline across the common fleet: same cabin layout, identical service items, common catering equipment, and easier seat assignments/reservations. Also, the composition of the fleet can be easily adapted to growth or shrinking market demands.
The family concept helps to increase public acceptance because an optimized fleet will result in lower noise, reduced emissions, and lower energy consumption by being able to use the appropriate aircraft depending on demand.
Information provided by Reinhold Birrenbach of Fairchild Dornier.
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