Establishing Modification Control Data
In our previous blog, we discussed the setup of maintenance program data. In this post of the aircraft phase-in series, we shift our focus to the setup and initialization of modification control for M&E/MRO systems.
Aircraft modification management stands as a essential aspect of aircraft maintenance and operations. M&E/MRO systems provide a comprehensive solution for monitoring and managing alterations to an aircraft's configuration or maintenance status. The modification control module within MRO systems streamlines the management of modification requests, ensuring strict adherence to regulatory requirements and safety standards. This system diligently maintains all essential documentation and updates the aircraft's maintenance status and configuration records following the completion of modifications. In essence, MRO systems offer an efficient and effective approach to managing aircraft modifications while guaranteeing regulatory compliance—provided that data is managed meticulously.
Preparation Tasks
To establish modification control alongside within a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) system, the initial step necessitates the acquisition of comprehensive and precise data pertaining to the aircraft or equipment, the modifications undertaken, and the individuals responsible for executing these modifications. Equally crucial is the presence of clear, comprehensive, and up-to-date documentation and procedures for executing modifications.
Several preparatory tasks are required for the effective configuration of modification control in an M&E/MRO system, commencing with the digital acquisition of the following:
Required Data Sets for Modification Control Setup
While there are similarities between setting up modification control and establishing maintenance program tasks, notable differences exist. Commonalities include configuring the effectiveness/applicability of modifications/documents and specifying maintenance time requirements, which we won't revisit here. Refer to our previous article, "Aircraft Phase-In Series: How To Set Up Maintenance Program Data?" for a more in-depth discussion.
To configure a modification control module in an MRO/M&E system, the following data is typically imperative:
Additionally, one aspect demands special attention—the relationships between documents and modifications, often referred to as the sign-off tree or reference/relationship structure. This particular aspect can complicate the implementation of modification control due to the intricate network of relationships, regulations, and procedures associated with the sign-off process. The diverse array of modification types, each with its unique requirements, further compounds the complexity of this structure.
Managing and tracking the progress of multiple modifications concurrently, alongside the meticulous documentation and storage of these modifications, further complicates the implementation of the sign-off structure.
To alleviate this process, especially when aircraft phase-ins are recurrent, data validation and implementation tools can prove invaluable.
Similarly to maintenance tasks outlined in the MPD, dynamic datasets are required for initializing documents and modifications to establish the correct status. These datasets encompass:
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The Process Step By Step
Once document/mod definitions have been established within the system, the integration of dynamic aircraft data, LD/ND, and document/mod status ensues. The process mirrors the checks employed during the MPD data phase:
Depending on the availability of LD/ND & status data from the source, the maintenance event can be initiated within the system. Ideally, when past data is present, the system should ascertain the next due based on the maintenance time requirements. In certain cases, the provided next due values can be utilized.
This data processing can be largely automated with the implementation of appropriate tools and infrastructure.
How to Avoid Common Pitfalls
Common pitfalls when establishing a modification control module in an MRO/M&E system include:
What is next in the Aircraft Phase-In Series
In the next article, we will talk about changes and documents and what you need to think about for a smooth process.
How EXSYN Can Help
EXSYN's team of aircraft data and aviation experts utilises a proven framework and methodology that has been applied to millions of terabytes of master data and includes:
For more information or to discuss your airline’s individual situation, click here or send an email to hello@exsyn.com to book a meeting today with one of our aircraft data specialists.