Using Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for Airline Tech Log Process Management.

Managing the technical logbook of an airline is a crucial part of their Continuous Airworthiness process. Changes to the aircraft technical logbook typically require approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) before implementation. The aircraft technical logbook (ATL) serves as the primary source of information for flight crews regarding the technical status of the aircraft, and it determines whether the captain accepts the aircraft before each flight. It includes the maintenance history, technical defects, and other relevant maintenance actions performed on the aircraft.

The ATL can be either a paper-based logbook or an electronic tablet application known as an e-tech log. Regardless of the format, all entries made in the ATL need to be recorded in the airline's Maintenance and Engineering (M&E) system to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. While data interfaces can facilitate this process when using an e-tech log, handling paper-based ATLs presents some challenges.

Most airline engineering teams have a unit called Technical Records, responsible for processing all ATL entries into the airline's M&E/MRO software. Typically, more than 70% of these entries are routine tasks, such as pre-flight or daily checks, while the rest involve technical defects with accompanying descriptions. Additional data captured in these ATLs may include:

• Aircraft registration
• Flight number
• Date/time
• Unique tech log page number

Considering that paper-based ATLs still prevail in global aviation, it is worthwhile to optimise the synchronisation of these logs with the airline's MRO/M&E system.

The Task: Automating Data Entry with RPA

Given the structured layout of paper tech logs and the substantial volume of routine maintenance entries, automating the data entry through Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is highly suitable. The successful execution of this task relies on utilising Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to extract content from paper-based ATL entries. A hybrid solution combining OCR and RPA tools can be employed. OCR scanning technology allows for the detection of content within scanned copies of paper documents.

All industry-standard aviation M&E software systems offer functionality to input the information obtained from these paper ATLs. In these systems, this is referred to as work orders, work cards, or technical log entries. Ensuring the seamless integration of ATL entries into the MRO software is critical for monitoring compliance with airworthiness standards, maintenance checks, and actions performed.

What is RPA?

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a technology that emulates human actions within a user interface. The advantage of RPA is that it can be implemented within a few weeks without disrupting the existing IT infrastructure. It effectively creates a virtual extension of your team, enabling the automation of daily processes without the need to increase headcount, accumulate overtime, or shift focus areas. RPA truly creates a digital coworker.

The Software Robot Skills

To reduce the workload for technical records teams, routine ATL data entry can be delegated to a software robot using RPA. The RPA-trained skills include:

• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to identify data fields in the tech log copy
• Logging into the MRO software and accessing the relevant module for tech log entry
• Initiating the entry of a new tech log page by referencing the recognised ATL unique sequence number
• Identifying and entering predefined text associated with routine maintenance checks
• Segregating tech log entries that the robot cannot process into a special queue for manual handling

Benefits

Implementing RPA skills for routine ATL data entry alleviates the high-frequency data entry burden on technical records teams. This, in turn, allows them to focus more on ensuring the overall completeness and accuracy of technical records. Consequently, the required man-hours and costs for record verification significantly decrease when returning an aircraft to the lessor or when removing it from the fleet.

By optimising the use of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), airlines can streamline their Airline Tech Log Process management, enhance data entry efficiency, and achieve cost savings in record verification.