JAL First Customer of Boeing's Electronic Maintenance Tool

Japan Airlines (JAL) is the first licensed customer for what Boeing Commercial Aviation Services describes as a set of "performance-enhancing solutions" for aircraft maintenance and troubleshooting that will be available via the Internet.

Under their agreement, JAL maintenance technicians can use their normal browser to access the Structures Tool within Boeing's hosted Maintenance Toolbox service, which is a key component within Boeing's evolving portfolio of electronic aircraft maintenance applications.  Toolbox uses intelligent documents and visual navigation methods to help aircraft technical personnel troubleshoot airplane systems and manage structural repair records, parts, and task cards.

Specifically, the Structures Tool provides 3D models for recording, viewing, and analyzing structural repairs, making use of accumulated repair knowledge, and maintaining records of repair activities for multiple fleet types.  It also includes a repair history database of records that contain details of repairs and repair locations on one or more aircraft.  Users can search the database for information about repairs performed in specific areas of the airplane, search for similar repairs on other airplanes in their fleet, and enter, edit and delete repair records as needed.

Boeing hosts all of JAL's data, which the airline can access through MyBoeingFleet.com.  JAL engineers can access the system with any computer – a laptop, desktop or pen tablet – that has an Internet connection.

In its effort to "e-Enable" the air transport industry, Boeing says it intends to offer content, applications, and services, that connect all the data generated by an entire flight operation – in the air, on the ground and in the hangar – and make it more meaningful to all users: including pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, and operational managers whether in flight departments or airport operations offices.  10-10-2005.