Connecting aircraft was the first step towards getting enhanced performance. Now that fleets are connected, operators and equipment manufacturers are able to stream meaningful operational data from aircraft. As the focus shifts from connecting fleets to monitoring and predictive maintenance, GE’s OnPointSM is positioned to translate that operational data into tangible value in the form of proactive anticipation of problems which benefit both owners, operators and equipment manufacturers.
Data-driven insights are not new concepts, and the aviation community has been benefitting from data to improve operations for some time – flyers see the benefits of data in action when planes are on a busy tarmac and still take off on schedule. It is great when behind-the-scenes data net visible benefits to flyers, though there are certain data sets that may never be visible to flyers but are arguably even more important to owners and operators.
These benefits are the ones that keep planes flying. Aircraft engines are a prime example as it is a known fact that engines need servicing over time to ensure their safe performance, but even normal functioning engines can see anomalies that may require corrections to ensure long-term safe operations. This is where GE’s OnPoint comes in … allowing customers to more proactively and efficiently manage and optimize their engine operations, and the benefits are vast.
As aircraft need engines to fly, owners or operators can maximize availability and route access by minimizing downtime of a single aircraft, or even a whole fleet, if and when maintenance is required. Similarly, when they can reduce overall lifecycle costs, they can make alternative investments to improve the flying experience. And, when they achieve better fuel burn, they are helping the environment for everyone. Each improvement that can be achieved can also increase the residual value of an aircraft when it can stay in service longer.
All of these things are thanks to the operational data that can now be collected and analyzed. 
In the case of engine anomalies, data can bring new meaning to these benefits. In the past, when a service bulletin would be issued, there may have been fleet-wide aircraft downtime to inspect and if required replace or address hardware issues – a time-intensive and resource consuming outcome.
With today’s analytics, scenarios like this have the potential to be handled with surgical precision. Parameters such as temperatures, pressures and flow rates are carefully tracked throughout the engine and aircraft, and analytics can identify concerning conditions without the need for physical inspection. Removing that human element from individual inspections allows a majority of the fleet to continue operations uninterrupted.
That is the power data has for owners and operators when they leverage analytic platforms for engine diagnostics and prognostics. With engines on-condition, overhaul can be prolonged and maintenance costs can be optimized.
For manufacturers, the data gathered into data lakes help improve future engine durability.
The benefits of data do not end there. Equipment manufacturers can also see serious benefits from data.
Today’s modern engines have over 80 sensors, and interface with airframe sensors and controls forming a complete diagnostics package. This this access to real-time data, these diagnostics are more than simply monitoring for a parameter shift.
Rather, the data from a single engine provide an array of information in order to predict performance changes over time. Additionally, monitoring and predictive characteristics are further strengthened over-time by capturing a running log and history of the thousands of engine performance characteristics and calculations.
When engine fleets hit operational maturity and there are tens of thousands of operational hours across in service engines, the data lakes that are gathered are enormous, and come with huge benefits. With data gathered from the many sensors on engines you can create performance estimates for future design choices. These design choices may seek to improve part durability so engines can go longer between servicing. They can even create cascading technology impacts as new designs improve efficiency, and when it comes to squeezing out better performance, every design decision matters.
And it all starts with the data, and for GE that means OnPoint – a comprehensive, transferable, transparent and global service, with 100% OEM coverage that starts on day one.
By leveraging monitoring and prognostics in partnership with GE, aircraft and fleet owners, directors of maintenance and even financers all can realize the many benefits of data. Data that can be specifically monitored, captured, and analyzed. Together, by using data-driven insights, flyers will realize better service and industry can take a major step forward in overall operational performance.