Breathtaking changes confront MRO

December 1st 2019

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Aviation MRO is experiencing a period of rapid technological disruption that is transforming the industry from a labour intensive structure to a complex manufacturing space centred around astonishingly rapid advances in aerospace technology. Read More »

The transformation, driven by demand for aircraft, of the Asia-Pacific airline and engine aftermarket sector, is being moulded by digital transformation and motivated to achieve the ultimate goals of electrification and aviation sustainability.

The leading disruptors are Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven by digital access, application of predictive data analytics to the cycle of MRO checks, self-learning and virtual reality (VR).

Pratt & Whitney executive director aftermarket operations Asia-Pacific, Brendon McWilliam, said the aerospace group is “launching a digital enhancement of aftermarket services in a three-year pilot program that will transform 15 facilities around the world by 2022”.

New technologies include the application of Piece Part Inspections based on AI algorithms and advances in laser cladding that make inspections for defects more accurate and rapid and repairs more precise.

The revolution is reaching beyond the shop floor to administration where Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is streamlining order processing and overall operations.

RPA is eliminating manual input of service orders and other administrative tasks and removing human error. The system produces data that continues to identify more potential efficiencies while eliminating waste and bloated labour costs.

For commercial airlines looking to predict maintenance needs across their fleets, aircraft engine health monitoring is one of the most critical activities.

By investing in virtual reality technologies and applying them to customer training tools, participants can virtually view a running engine in motion or examine engine parts separately without having to actually disassemble the whole engine.

Production of large scale electric aircraft is decades away, but aerospace companies are developing hybrid electric products to reduce fuel consumption by 30% for regional sized aircraft; a development of significance as single aisle aircraft will make up 65% of the airline market by 2027.