TOOL MANAGEMENT FOR SAFE MAINTENANCE IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY

 

 

(Preview of a detailed article on the subject)

 

“Technology can assist, but not replace, human thoroughness in controlling tools related foreign object damage hazard”

 

Tool management is a critical aspect of aviation maintenance to ensure the safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of aircraft operations. Proper tool management practices contribute to overall flight safety.

 

It is very important for all maintenance personnel to understand that tool control is one of the most important tasks involved in maintaining aircraft. Some key aspects of tool management for aviation maintenance are as follows.

 

Tool Inventory and Control

 

A comprehensive inventory of all tools must be applied and used in aviation maintenance. Implement a system for tracking tool usage, location, and calibration status. Barcode or RFID-based systems can help efficiently manage tool inventory.

 

Tool Calibration

 

Regularly calibrate all precision tools and equipment according to manufacturer recommendations and regulatory requirements. Establish a calibration schedule and ensure that tools are calibrated by certified calibration facilities. Keep detailed records of calibration dates and results.

 

Tool Inspection and Maintenance

 

Conduct regular inspections of all tools to ensure they are in good working condition. Damaged or malfunctioning tools should be repaired or replaced promptly and not used in maintenance. Implement a maintenance program to keep the tools in optimal condition.

 

Tool Storage and Organisation

 

Store tools in designated and secure areas to prevent loss, damage, or misplacement. Organize the tool storage system logically, making it easy for technicians to locate the required tools quickly.

 

Tool FOD (Foreign Object Debris) Control

 

Implement strict FOD control measures to prevent tools and other foreign objects from being left inside aircraft or maintenance areas. FOD can pose serious safety risks to aircraft operations.

 

Tool Control Methods

 

Shadow boards – these display the outline of any missing tools.

 

Shadow boxes – these use foam cut-outs to hold tools securely and also display the outline of missing tools.

 

Tool folders/pockets – these have a pocket for each tool and so indicate missing tools.

 

Tool Tags – this involves tokens being issued with the tools but kept in the tool store or crib under the borrower’s name. Tools are exchanged for tokens on return and all tokens must be cleared at the end of the job or day.

 

Barcoding – where a tool is checked out to a known person using the same technology used at the point of sale in supermarkets. Personal barcodes can also be used to control access to toolboxes and cribs.

 

Radiofrequency Identification (RFID) – involves tools being tagged with RFID chips. These are used to simplify check-out and return of tools.

 

Colour Coding – may be used in conjunction with any of these systems to allow tools to be more easily seen and removed from a job and to identify if tools are missing from their storage.

 

Continuous Improvement

 

Regularly review and assess the effectiveness of your tool management processes. Identify areas for improvement and implement necessary changes to enhance tool management practices continually.

 

A solid tool management system is absolutely crucial for keeping aircraft safe and reliable. These systems along with best practices minimise the risk of errors, improve efficiency, and maintain safety standards. 

 

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References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

  1. https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/02/back-in-the-box-the-importance-of-tool-control-for-safety/
  1. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/role-tool-management-ensuring-safe-maintenance-aviation-andy-graham/
  1. https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/02/back-in-the-box-the-importance-of-tool-control-for-safety/

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE FUTURE OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE

 

Pic Courtesy: Aerobotix

 

Aviation is technology intensive. As technologies continue to advance, embracing emerging technologies can help save time, increase safety, and reduce costs.

 

Some of the technologies that can be useful in aircraft maintenance are:

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

 

The aviation industry is rapidly changing, and one of the most significant advancements is the implementation of artificial intelligence in maintenance practices. AI has the potential to revolutionise how aircraft are maintained by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing safety.

 

AI-powered systems can be used for predictive maintenance processes by continuously monitoring aircraft performance and predicting when components need servicing or replacing based on their usage history or environmental conditions.

 

AI-driven robots are increasingly being employed for inspections and repairs in hard-to-reach areas such as wings or engine nacelles etc.

 

AI Utilisation and advantages:-

 

Continue reading “TECHNOLOGY AND THE FUTURE OF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE”

CELEBRATING THREE YEARS OF BLOGGING: AIR MARSHAL’S PERSPECTIVE

 

 

Hello Readers,

 

It has been three years since the blog “Air Marshal’s Perspective” was launched. The idea of the blog is to share the gained knowledge and new learnings.

 

The tagline of the blog “Candid and to the point / काम की बात”, explains the style adopted. In the times of quick fix (Twenty 20 cricket), everyone wants to know the gist of the issue (as one of my gurus used to say “Just tell me the निचोड़”). The written posts cover the topic in bullet form (two to three pages), with a reading time of 5-7 minutes. The lengthier video bytes have a selective viewing option.

 

First and foremost thanks to all the readers who read the blog and provide the necessary encouragement to continue blogging.

 

 This celebratory post has three parts:

 

    • Present Status.
    • Future trajectory.
    • Genesis of the blog and acknowledgement to Col S Muralidharan.

 

Present Status.

 

    • The blog has 370 + posts on a variety of topics (a list of topics covered is attached).

 

    • The blog keeps featuring in the top twenty Indian blogs under the category of defence and security.

 

Future Trajectory.

 

    • The blog is being migrated to a new host domain. The process will start on 01 Sep 23, and a new avatar of the blog will evolve.

 

    • A new YouTube channel has been launched in conjunction with the blog.

 

    • A podcasting section is being added (starting with a series of podcasts on IAF life, consisting of interesting anecdotes and occurrences).

 

Genesis of the Blog and Acknowledgement to Col S Muralidharan.

 

  • Col S Muralidharan, my Course mate is a digital world wizard with a golden heart.

 

  • He saw some of my post-retirement interview videos and articles on social media (hosted by engaging organisations) and suggested putting the content on our NDA course website (55 NDA).

 

  • Murali is doing a wonderful job of administering our course website. Not only has he conceptualised and designed the website, but he has also hosted it on his personal domain space. He is administering and maintaining it (which is an arduous and time-consuming task).

 

  • He provided the necessary space for the blog and guided me through the entire process.

 

  • Now also, when faced with any problem or challenge he is the one who deals with it in a proactive manner. A case in point is the recent crash of the blog was resolved by him overnight.

 

  • I am grateful to him for his encouragement and support. The future plan for the Blog has been made in consultation with him.

 

Topics Covered (So Far)

 

Leadership, Motivation and Management
Decision making
Mental toughness
Earning respect
Good  leadership qualities and values
Science of Karma
Good working culture and environment
Listening Skills
Be good feel good
Healthy working environment
importance of Tolerance
Lessons from Buddha
Difference between strength and courage
Lessons from rich and famous
Leadership lessons from Hollywood movies.
Shark in the tank theory of management
Car wheel theory of management
Aya Ram Gaya Ram syndrome – yes men.
Calculated Risks
Practical Leadership and Management
Communication skills and body language
Lessons from Nanak
Being Responsible and Tolerant
Growth Mind-set
Transferable Skills
Advice to the young generation
Motivational Talks
Importance of self-discipline
Words of Wisdom
Convocation Address – lessons from life in IAF
 

China

China’s Brain differently wired
China’s strategic thought
China’s military modernisation
China’s Defence industry
China – Pakistan Collusion
China – Art of deception
China: Kill Pigs List
China: Social score System
China: Active Defence Policy
China’s Joint Strategic support force (JSSF)
China – Joint Strategic Support Force.
Dealing with the Dragon
China’s grey zone operations
China: Flavours of military Reform
China: Pillars of Military Reform
China new diplomacy – drawing red lines in sand.
China – demographic analysis.
China through US Prism
China in South China Sea
China’s Military – Civil Fusion
PLAAF Analysis Strengths and weaknesses
Book review on China Airpower
Dealing with Dragon
Knowing China Better: lie flat and let it rot
Knowing China Better social life and customs
China in IOR
 

Geopolitics

China
Pakistan – National security Policy, Turmoil
Afghanistan
India’s foreign policy
India’s neighbourhood
Quad
Indo – Russian relations
State of Airpower Assets in Afghanistan
Indo – US relations
Afghanistan: Taliban run over
US-China shadow boxing over Taiwan
China spoiling Bhutan’s GNH.
South China sea
Gini Index and implications.
Multilateralism: Flexible Security Cooperation.
China Pak Collusivity
Collective Security
SCO Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: Relevance  and future trajectory
Sri Lanka Economic crisis: lessons and opportunity
Ukraine Conflict
Bangladeshi tango with China
Economic Sanctions
Djibouti: Tug of war between USA and China
The Future of Conflict in Asian Context
India Pakistan China Asian triangle
Indo-Vietnam Cooperation
 

Air Power

Airpower in Grey zone operations
Airpower in no war no peace situation
Air Power & Non-Kinetic warfare
Air Power in Multi-Domain warfare
Airpower in HADR ops and aid to civil authorities
Drone Threat the big picture
Fighter aircraft classifications by generations
Emerging Technologies and Air Defence
Air Power in Modern Day Warfare
S-400 SAM AD System
Combat Aviation
Changing nature of warfare
Air Defence operations
Air power strategies: multiple threats and limited resources
Air power in maritime domain
Air Power and effect-based operations
Air power concepts: Command / control the air, air supremacy, Air superiority & Favourable air situation.
Contemporary airpower thought
How does an aeroplane fly
 

Technology

Hypersonic Weapons
Technology and airpower
Future Trajectory of AI
Artificial intelligence
Future of conflict in new domains (Space, Cyber and deep sea)
Unmanned Platforms and Swarms, Loyal wingman concept
AI and Fake News
AI: Digital twins and Surrogate models
Military application of quantum technology.
 

Cyber Safety and Security

Cyber warfare
Digital addiction
Economic Cyber Frauds
Future of conflict in new domains (Space, Cyber and deep sea)
 

Space

Space operations
Space warfare and organisation in India
Space-based ISR
Future of conflict in new domains (Space, Cyber and deep sea)
 

Indian Air Force

Capability development
Tejas and AMCA project
IAF’s role in HADR and aid to civil and other agencies
Network-centric operations
PLAAF and IAF comparative analysis
IAF Modernisation
Balakot Operations
Maritime air operations in future
Rafale induction and capability enhancement
S-400 Induction
Fire Power Demo: Ex Vayu Shakti
IAF fighter strength drawdown and mitigation plan
IAF Strategies: past present and future.
Life in IAF
IAF multi-national exercises
Journey through IAF
 

War and Warfare

Types of war
Decoys and deception
Afghanistan Air Assets
Future Wars
warfare
Grey Zone Warfare
Classification of warfare into generations (Russian Thoughts)
Domains of warfare
C4ISR
Military Balance in the region
Ukraine War: Air Power aspects, a case of dog and the bone, Air superiority aspects, decoding Ukraine war. Lessons.
Operational Logistics
Lesser known facts about 1971the  War
Review of book on 1962 war
Review of the book on the 1965 war
India’s two-front challenge
Douhet theories
Duration of Conflict
Jasjit Singh on Airpower
Galwan standoff
Asymmetric Threat
Nuclear aspects revisited
Accelerating the Paradigm Shift
National Security / Military Strategy
Urgent Need for National Security Policy
Multilateralism: Relevance and changes
National Security Strategy
Integrated deterrence
 

Military

Military diplomacy
Military spending: trends and analysis.
Collusive threat and Deterrence: Air and Space Aspects
Integrated Capability Development.
Joint war game training systems
Fighter Pilot: Traits
Agni veer and Agnipath / Tour of duty / making best of the scheme
Andaman and Nicobar Command and Islands
Joint Operations and Joint man ship
 

Higher Defence Organisation

Department of military affairs
Theaterisation
Air defence command
Civil-military fusion
Reorganisation of HDO in India
 

Flight Safety

Golden rules of safety
Importance of SOPs
A proactive approach to safety
Damage due to Bird Hits and Foreign Objects
Safety and aviation
Good safety Culture
Safety aspects of short landings.
 

Defence Industry

Indigenous defence industry
HAL and DPSUs
Role of the private sector in defence production
Arms Transfer to Afghanistan
Defence Budget issues
Atmanirbharta
Exportability of LCA and Brahmos combined package
IAF and indigenisation
Indian Initiatives to promote self-reliance
Tejas export options
Russia – India Defence contracts past, present and future.
Aero India 2021 & 2023
Arms trade: Trends and Concerns
Arms trade: flow Vis-a-Vis hot spots
Decoding US presence at Aero India 2023
 

India

Understanding Manipur Dynamics
Meghalaya Dynamics
 

Book Reviews and Endorsements

1962 Border War Sino-India: Territorial Dispute and Beyond by Ismail Vergasseri
The Politics of South China Sea Disputes By Nehginpao Kipgen
1965 A Western Sunrise: India’s War With Pakistan By Shiv Kunal Verma
The Game Behind Saffron Terror by Kanwar Khatana
Peer  Review-  ” China-The Rising Aerospace Power: Implications for India”
Book Endorsement – “Greatest Air Aces of all time” by Air Marshal Anil Chopra
Book Endorsement – The 1971 Indo-Pak Air War: Reflections and Projections
 

Life Stories

My tryst with HT-2 aircraft: The day god flew with me
The day I flew my dad’s car
Malse Lake: Tale of two course mates
Flying Tales

Please Note: There are no hyperlinks to these topics on this post. However, search option on the blog can be used to access them.

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

For regular updates, please register here

Subscribe

References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.