AMSTERDAM--Wizz Air collaborated with Aviatar, the cloud-based digital platform launched by Lufthansa Technik, to develop a technical logbook to digitize the paper-based process of cockpit write ups and maintenance follow ups.
“The previous (paper) process was complicated and involved a lot of work. This is easier, faster and more efficient,” says Julia Brix, head of technical services for Wizz Air Group, speaking at Aviation Week’s MRO Europe.
The digital technical logbook greatly expedites the process because after a pilot enters a complaint in the iPad logbook, maintenance control can instantly see it in AMOS, Wizz Air’s maintenance system. The MRO department can use the logbook to insert the technical status and completion—or deferral. Upon completion, someone from the maintenance team can electronically sign a release to service certificate, says Brix.
“It’s important that the pilot gets the feedback—so he knows when the work is done or deferred,” she says.
This real-time data exchange allows for faster aircraft turnarounds and better technical fleet management. The digital process also minimizes typos and is easy to learn, says Brix.
Pilots and maintenance engineers participated in the development process so they could see the co-creation possibilities.
Wizz Air started discussing the first ideas for the technical logbook about 1.5 years ago and as it progressed, “we added more and more features.” Brix says both flight operations and technical teams were engaged and saw this digital logbook as a positive because they don’t have to carry a lot of paper and “it’s super easy to access.”
Wizz Air, which operators a fleet of 144 Airbus A320/A321 ceos and neos, has the iPads set up and is in final testing phases as it awaits EASA approval for the system.
Wizz Air uses several other Aviatar applications, including condition monitoring, prediction and line maintenance planning.